Being called for a first interview is an exciting prospect, but it’s also one that is stressful. Here are some tips to help you overcome the top first interview fears and present yourself in the best possible way.
- You won’t arrive at the interview on time.
Look up the company address online and make a dry run before the day of the interview. If the directions are not clear, call to clarify before your appointment.
- You won’t be dressed appropriately for the interview.
When in doubt, err on the side of being too conservative when getting dressed for an interview. You don’t necessarily need to wear a suit, but a neatly-pressed shirt and a tie is not a bad choice for men. Women can wear a skirt and blouse or a dress to an interview. Make sure your shoes are shined and in good repair, and keep jewelry to a minimum.
- You won’t appear confident to the interviewer.
While it’s natural to feel a bit nervous when meeting new people, being interviewed shouldn’t shake your basic confidence in yourself as a person who is competent and has a lot to offer an employer. Take some time before your meeting to remind yourself of what you can bring to the table, and how you can help the employer reach its goals.
- Your handshake will be too hard or too soft.
Shaking hands is a skill, and you can practice this in advance. Enlist the help of a friend or a family member until you feel comfortable. Ideally, you want to give a firm handshake that does not squeeze the other person’s hand too hard.
- You will say too much/not enough/the wrong thing at the interview.
Once the interview is over, draw a line under it and let it go. You can’t go back in time and change anything. If you made a mistake, learn from it and use this knowledge for the next one but if you did your best, let that be good enough and don’t let it discourage you in your job search.
HR & Training Dept.