There is no question about it: going for an interview is nerve-wracking. You do not want your nerves during the interview to ruin your chances, so here are some suggestions on how to best prepare for your interview and quell those nerves. Whether you feel just a few butterflies in your stomach; or actually physically ill with dread, heart pounding, palms sweating; all can benefit from these pointers to help.

Preparation

There are a number of things that are essential for you know before you go to any interview:

1. The date, time and place of the interview, as well as the person who will interview you.
2. Know all you can about the company and the position for which you are applying.
3. Anticipate some of the questions you might be asked and prepare yourself on how you are going to answer them. No need to learn possible answers, but questions such as “what are your strengths and weaknesses?”, “what did you like least about your previous boss?” or “why should we hire you?” (to use just a few examples) are tough to give impromptu answers.

The great news is that StaffMattters will help you with all of this: our candidates go to interviews fully prepared with the knowledge of interview date, time, place, person, the company’s profile, website, the position’s requirements, all of it. For our less experienced candidates who do not know what type of questions to expect, we even have those!

Act the part

Our interviewer today will interview two candidates with basically the same experience, education levels and skills on their CVs. Here they are:

• 10.00am - She walks into the office confidently, makes eye contact, smiles and gives the interviewer a firm handshake. Then she sits up straight, speaks slowly and clearly, believing in herself and the answers she is giving.
• 11.00am - She slouches into the office and dives straight for a chair. She fidgets, avoids eye contact and mumbles incoherent answers.

No guessing who the more successful candidate would be, right? Think positive, confident  thoughts. Even if you do not feel the confidence, act it.

Interview the interviewer

You are not going to an interview simply to be scrutinized and questioned to see whether you would fit into the company, you are also going there to scrutinize and question the company. Use the opportunity to learn all you can about the vacancy that you were still unsure about, to gauge whether it would be a job and a company for which you would be happy to work.

Without being arrogant (a sure way of ruining your chances of success), this mindset places you and your interviewer on a more equal footing.

Smile!

Endorphins are released, the body receives its natural stress antidote, you feel more relaxed, your nerves dissipate, you ace the interview!