Front view portrait of four business executives sitting in a line — Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis
Dry mouth? Sweaty palms? Stuttering over your words? Do you suffer from interview nerves? This may be your first interview and you have no idea of what’s ahead of you. It may be that you have already attended a few interviews and know that they make you really nervous.
It’s not just you, it’s a common issue but you are not alone in that room. Chances are the recruiter could be suffering from the same level of nerves or anxiety in fact there are many horror stories that recruiters could tell. Just follow these few simple tips and if you need more advice and preparation you can always check out 10minuteswith who have a whole host of interview advice and tips for graduate job positions
Be prepared
Where is the interview? Nothing worse than turning up at the wrong office if the company has more than one premises. Who are you asking for? Where exactly do you have to go? Make sure you know which floor it’s on if it’s a multi storey building and that you know who you are seeing. Double check the time and make sure you have read the interview brief. Have you been asked to prepare anything?
Plan your journey
There is nothing worse than panicking that you are going to be late when you get stuck in traffic or miss the train. Make sure you plan your journey to avoid any last minute hiccups. Make the journey in advance of your interview, preferably at the same time of day that you will be travelling to your interview. If your interview is first thing then you are going to undoubtedly experience the early morning rush hour. If it is at school finish time this will be another busy time on the road.
Have an early night
You want to be alert and look alert at the interview. If you had a few drinks and a late night the night before you aren’t giving yourself the best chance. Have a quiet night in and avoid alcohol. Read a few chapters of a book before bed to make sure you are nicely relaxed and best placed for a good night sleep.
Make sure you have a drink
Usually you will be asked if you want a drink when you arrive for your interview. Make sure you ask for a glass of water. If you are not offered a drink then don’t be afraid to ask. Any interviewer should understand that you are undoubtedly going to be experiencing nerves.
Remove your jacket
If you are wearing a suit it could get a bit hot under the collar when you are feeling the pressure of the interview questions so when you are invited into the interview room it would be a good idea to remove your jacket and make sure you feel comfortable.
Think positively
If you didn’t think that you were right for this role you wouldn’t have applied. You know your skills and strengths you just need to ensure that you get this across to the interviewer. So relax, take deep breaths, take a drink, get comfortable and be yourself!
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