In order to ace any interview, you must prepare thoroughly. Vicky Oliver is a leading career development expert and the best-selling author of five books. She has appeared on over nine hundred and one media shows. Here are some helpful tips: Stay well-rested; Eat right and sleep well; and do your homework.
Relax
You can relax before a job interview by focusing on your breathing and your body language. This will allow you to project an upbeat, confident energy. It also helps to keep your hands busy so you don’t fidget. Try twiddling your thumbs or playing with a pencil, but don’t fidget too much because your hands will attract attention. Having something to do with your hands before the interview will make you feel more at ease and relaxed.
It’s also helpful to remember that interviewers can read nonverbal cues. For instance, if you seem anxious or jittery, the interviewer will notice this and assume that you are nervous. However, most people can overlook a little jitteriness and be forgiving. If you project a confident, strong appearance, you’ll come across as a stronger candidate.
Sleep Well
Before the job interview, you should take some time to sleep well. The more sleep you get, the more prepared you will be for the interview. Insomnia can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. You can try some strategies to combat insomnia, including exercise, relaxing music, and lavender oil. Try these before bed to help you get the restful sleep you need.
According to the Harvard Business Review, a lack of sleep has negative effects on productivity and job performance. Lack of sleep is also associated with higher rates of absenteeism and job-related accidents. Sleep also improves memory and enhances creativity. All of these mental tools are crucial in a successful job interview. In order to get a good night’s sleep before a job interview, you should make sure you have a good sleeping environment. Using dark curtains or noise cancelling headphones, and a mattress that fits your sleeping position will help you get a good night’s rest.
Do Your Homework
Doing your homework before a job interview is a crucial part of the application process. Not only can this make you stand out from the other applicants, but it can also help you prepare better answers to questions. This is because you’ll know the company’s history, mission, and challenges as well as how you can help it grow and make money. The more prepared you are, the better you’ll look and sound during the interview.
Before your interview, do some research on the company. If you’ve never heard of the company, do some digging on their website or LinkedIn profile. Check out how many employees the company has and what its annual revenue is. You’ll be able to ask smart questions that show you’ve done your research and have thought about the organization.
Answer Questions Honestly
When preparing for a job interview, be sure to answer all questions honestly and to be as descriptive as possible. This can give the interviewer a good idea of how the candidate would fit into the company. For example, if the interviewer asks about the tasks you dislike, answer honestly. You may also be asked about the company’s core values and policies.
One question that you might be asked during a job interview is, “What is your biggest professional achievement?” Choose an achievement related to the job and explain how you achieved it. If you work in a team, highlight the team’s achievements.
