1. Prior Preparation
Do proper research and know exactly where you are going and who you will be meeting with. Look up the location of the interview and find out whether you need to park in a specific place. Have a note with the name of the person you will be meeting so that you can ask for them if prompted.
2. Early Arrival
Early arrival is the best way to make a good first impression. Wait on a bench or in a car close by and go in at the right time, generally about 10 minutes prior to the set time. If you do that, you will enter the building calmly and will have enough time to focus on whatever you have to say.
3. Practicing and Doing Your Research
Practicing before the actual interview will help you feel better prepared. If you show up well-practiced and prepared, spend the final moments before the interview quickly reminding yourself what you would like the employer to know. Go through the shortlist of points a final time before putting the list away.
4. Checking Your Appearance
Dress professionally for your interview. Check that everything still looks good before you walk in. If you look good, you will feel more confident, and by extension, more relaxed. Looking at your reflection in the mirror is also an excellent time to encourage yourself and build your confidence to succeed in the interview. Remind yourself just how strong you are and your accomplishments thus far.
5. Call Somebody
Call either a trusted friend or a family member and tell them that you are feeling nervous. Just admitting it will help you to feel better instantly and their reassurance will only make you feel a bit more at ease.
6. Meditate
Perhaps you are under the assumption that meditation does not rank highly on your job preparation list, but it can be highly effective for helping you focus and relax. The best thing about meditation is that there’s really no special protocol besides your intention and a few minutes of your time.
You can be sitting in the waiting area or your car to do this. You can even be walking. Just follow your breath, focus on it and nothing else. Meditation will help you focus on the moment and will help you get rid of distractions so you will know exactly what you want to say and how you want to say it.
7. Smile
A smile is perhaps the easiest and ultimate task for turning into a positive outlook. You might not feel like it, but if you force yourself to smile, you will find yourself feeling better. Studies suggest that forcing yourself to smile can help the body reduce stress and lower your heart rate as well during tense situations.
8. Change Your Perspective
Think of the interview as an exciting challenge. It is the perfect opportunity to see how well you can cope with challenges. Rather than being nervous, think of the interview as a professional conversation.
It is the opportunity to have conversations with people that you admire professionally, people that can give you the opportunity to practice what you’ve learned thus far. Think of those people as confidants that would like to see you succeed by helping you launch your career.
9. Get Plenty of Rest
Getting a good night’s sleep prior to an interview is important to ensure that you are able perform at your best. Comfort and support will ensure that you are able to get a restful night’s sleep, invest in one of the best 2021 mattress toppers.
10. Normalize the Situation
Think of the interview as just one of the numerous interviews you will attend in your lifetime. While you might want this job badly, always remember that there will be other jobs out there and other amazing opportunities that will shape your career. You don’t really need to put so much pressure on yourself for just this one interview.