ADVICE AND TIPS
GET CONFIDENT The key to succeeding in interviews is appearing as professional as possible, but that’s easier said than done when your nerves are frayed from the pressure and expectations you put on yourself. Here are some strategies to keep you cool, calm and collected while preparing and on the day of your interview
KNOW WHAT’S EXPECTED
SPEAK TO PEOPLE
People are more likely to feel confident when they are fully aware of what is expected of them. Make the job description your mantra and work from it to determine what you will be expected to know and the questions you might be asked. If you don’t know about a certain aspect, do enough research so that you can respond appropriately. Adequately researching the company is also important. Try to find relevant publications which will help you understand their position in the sector and any industryrelevant events which are significant – that way, when the interviewer’s first question is, “What do you know about us?” you won’t be thrown completely.
It can be really useful to bounce ideas off friends or family members and get feedback on how they think you could improve. Draw up a list of questions you think you might be asked and practise. Ask your stand-in interviewer to include random questions too to challenge your ability to improvise responses. Rehearsing like this tests your knowledge and challenges how quickly you can respond. If there is some information you can’t find during the research stage which you think might come up, ask your Connect consultant for more details.
REST YOUR MIND
If you’re feeling stressed and anxious, one way to relax is by doing calming breathing exercises. This simply involves taking slow, deep breaths through the nose and holding them for a couple of seconds then exhaling slowly through the mouth. Six to eight breathing cycles per minute can help decrease feelings of anxiety. These cycles regulate the amount of oxygen you inhale which makes you less likely to experience tingling, giddy sensations associated with panic attacks. Gentle activities like yoga have also been proven to significantly reduce stress too.
It goes without saying that, mentally, you should be as sharp and on the ball as possible. That means minimum alcohol consumption the day and night before and a conscious effort to minimise things which could interfere with the day such as risky sports and activities. That said, if you have spent a long time researching and practising the answers to questions, it’s a good idea to do a calming activity like going for a walk, swimming or reading. This will give you a chance to distract yourself from feeling apprehensive and help you reflect logically on your progress when you return to preparation.
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GET CONNECTED | ISSUE 1
PRACTISE C ALMING TECHNIQUES
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