Blog/News
OVERCOMING JOB INTERVIEW ANXIETY
Overcoming anxiety prior to an interview is one of the challenges facing job seekers in today’s world. Interview anxiety can be an obstacle for those looking for work.
Meeting people first time in positions of high authority, introducing yourself, and being assessed and judged on your appearance, composure and ability to market yourself are all
A job interview just like any other human interaction can be very unnerving and it beholds an individual to psych themselves efficiently before the actual event.
The following are some of the strategies that you can use to overcome or manage your anxiety before an interview.
Be well prepared as much as possible
Preparation is the best way to overcome interview anxiety. Being well-prepared is a good anxiety reliever. The more prepared you are, the less nervous you will be at the interview.
Proper preparation gives you confidence, puts you in control and can even make you look forward to the interview in a very relaxed manner.
The more you prepare and practice, the more confident you become and in effect reduce your interview anxiety.
Practice
A day before your interview, take some time to either read or write down some general interview questions you anticipate will be asked by the interviewer. Questions like;
- Tell me about yourself
- Describe your past experience in relation to the position.
- Why do you want this job?
- Why should I hire you?
Write down your thoughts and answers. Try to make your responses look conversational so that when it gets to the interview your responses will sound natural and not rehearsed. Doing this helps you to focus more on the relevant information needed to ace the interview. Practising will help you feel prepared, and go a long way to boost your confidence.
Do your Research
This is one of the common headings you will find in any interview article, this is because it’s too important to overlook.
Learn about the position you are applying for. If you want to be an Accountant in a finance firm, learn about current accounting principles and rules. The interviewer is going to ask you questions directly about the position. Be prepared for these questions, and come along with suggestions for improvements. It shows just how interested you are in the role.
Taking time to do some research, will help you get a better understanding of the organization’s operations. Employers always look out for candidates who have some information on their business operations.
Decide what to wear ahead of time.
Deciding the attire to wear ahead of time before the interview date saves you time and trouble on the big day. Research or inquire about the appropriate attire for the company you will be interviewing with, and decide what you’re going to wear. Knowing what you are going to wear will not only make you feel comfortable but also confident.
Feel confident
After deciding on what to wear for the interview, feel confident and get ready for the day. Walking into an interview being prepared and feeling confident goes a long way. Strong body language and direct eye contact with the interviewer during your interview will support not only your confidence but also the confidence the interviewer have in your answers. If you decide to use gestures in the course of the interview, make sure they match your words and your tone. Don’t forget hiring managers are humans too and they will understand and forgive a few minor nervous moments.
Finally, remember a job interview is not a life-or-death situation and that a company will invite you for an interview because they like your CV. Think positive and go in for the interview.
Best of luck!
By Emmanuel Kwasi Osei
Human Resource Coordinator
Ghana HR Solutions