6 Tips to Appear Confident Before Attending Interview
An interviewer is trained to get the best out of a potential candidate. He can read between the lines from their responses, attitude, and body language. Interviewers are skilled and qualified professionals who can figure out a candidate’s personality traits, expertise, and soft skills before the interview. It is usual for even experienced professionals to sometimes feel nervous during interviews. Here are some tips that help maintain your confidence and composure during an interview.
Dress appropriately
A hiring team may evaluate your appearance when they are quizzing you. To prepare yourself, research the company’s dress code; if unsure, call the HR team and ask them. If you are still doubtful, wear formal clothes or business attire. Avoid chunky or bright accessories and wear comfortable shoes. Groom yourself well and ensure your clothes aren’t crumpled or stained. Being well-dressed can add confidence and gain you crucial points during an interview. Avoid fidgeting with your fingers, and refrain from touching your hair, face, tie, belt, or watch, as all these could be signs of nervousness and lack of confidence.
Avoid last-minute preparations
Keep your clothes and documents organized the day before the interview to ensure you do not spend valuable time on the big day. Ensure that you eat light and drink adequately. Suppose there are many candidates and there is a delay in the interview process. In that case, you might feel hungry, tired, and dehydrated, which can directly and negatively impact how you respond to the questions. Reach the venue at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time to give you time to cool down once documentation, and other formalities are completed.
Be yourself
When you enter the interview room, it is okay to be nervous. Start by responding clearly and softly to introductory questions. Avoid interrupting when the interviewer is speaking or make them repeat a question. Listen attentively and in the process, catch your breath and calm your nerves. Sit straight at the back of the chair and talk softly and slowly. An interviewer also is trained to put the candidate at ease, and it may take as little as three to four minutes for you to settle down. Make eye contact with the interviewer and connect with them. Do not talk too much in an attempt to impress the interviewer. Go with the interviewer’s flow and respond accordingly.
Be straightforward when in doubt
Interviewers will likely quiz you regarding your knowledge and skills in the middle of an interview. If you are unaware of a specific topic or lack work experience in certain skills, accept and say that you have started learning them while preparing for the interview. Do not hide your ignorance and give complicated explanations or answers that could be wrong. If you need time to think, talk slowly, pause between answers, and see if you can handle the situation better.
Be positive
Ahead of interviews, you can practice breathing techniques that help you calm down. Keep telling yourself that you will do well. Motivate yourself by understanding the benefits a new job can add to your career and keep your aspirations high right before the interview.
Practice well
Prepare sample interview questions and practice answering them. Work harder to learn if you cannot find answers for specific topics or areas. An interviewer may ask questions that test your technical knowledge or understand your ability as a team player. They may create hypothetical situations and ask your opinion. Answer honestly without being over-ambitious. Create a repository of such cases and questions and work on sample answers. Identify your strengths and weaknesses in any technical subjects or soft skills. It will help you answer questions about your strengths and weaknesses without apologizing.