The Interview Day

Posted January 6th, 2009 by CityBoy

The day of an interview is probably the biggest day of the job process. Feeling stress, nervous, and even sick before your interview is very common.

Relax–Here are a few tips to help you through the process:

a) Get a good night sleep before the interview. Allow at least six to eight hours for resting the night before. A good night sleep allows you the opportunity to recharge your mind and body.

b) Eat a healthy breakfast or lunch prior to your interview. There is a misconception that eating before an interview is bad. Contrary to such beliefs, not eating is a bad strategy for success during the interview. Eat a regular meal and make "that trip" to the restroom before the interview.

C) Be conscious of time and the scheduled interview time frame. Do not arrive late or too early to your interview. Arriving early may interrupt other interviews that were schedule before you. Be mindful of and try arriving no earlier than a few minutes before the interview. A late arrival to an interview is harmful to your mission in obtaining the job.

d) Drive carefully to your interview. Avoid speeding or driving too slow to the interview. Do the speed limit and avoid getting stopped by local police. A traffic stop may cause a late arrival to your interview.

e) Rehearse your introduction: Practice your introduction at home or while driving to the interview may boost your confidence and reduce the anxiety you feel before the interview. Some people find success by practicing in front of a mirror.

f) Stay alert: Pay close attention to the workplace and interviewer before the interview process. The more you can learn about the company and the interviewer, the easier the process will seem. Stay focus on their body language and adjust your composure to compliment theirs. Avoid folding your arms or slouching in the chair before, during and after the interview. Remember, every aspect of the interview process is an evaluation on your overall performance.

g) Be yourself and be confident. During an interview, people often have the tendency to be someone else. This action often leads to much stress and distraction for the overall mission of getting the job. Act normal but speak with confidence at all times. Maintain eye contact and practice active listening. Avoid answering questions before the question is fully asked. This action is often misinterpreted as a sign of aggression. Any aggressive behavior may imply personal conflict to performing as a team player within the company.

h) Finally, relax and enjoy the process. For the first timer, (first interview) absorb the experience and learn from your mistakes. Job seekers that have done interviews in the past should understand the value of the experience and learn from their weak points during the interview.

After the interview, play back the entire process in your mind and analyze your every move. It may be wise to write down the major parts of the event such as the time of arrival, opening remarks, your weaker points, and any statements made at the close or after the interview. Documenting such activities will help you prepare yourself for your next interview.

Good Luck…

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