Landing a job interview is incredibly exciting –- and often
terrifying. But fear not. There are clever ways to transform your angst into
nerves of steel. After all, a good interview should feel like a conversation,
not an interrogation. Here are five essential key tips from the world of public
speaking that’ll help you look just as awesome in person as you do on paper.
1. Know Yourself
Most people dread the moment when their interviewer utters
the words - “So, tell me about yourself.” But it’s actually the simplest
question to navigate once you get down to the root of what’s being asked.
"Tell me about yourself" really translates to: “What can you tell me about
how your personality, interests, work habits and background will help you rock
this position?”
Before you answer, rewind back to when you applied for the
job -– the moment you decided that you and the position would be a solid match.
Usually, the reasons that ran through your mind before you chose to apply are
the answers the interviewer is looking for. Since you’re the most well-versed
on the subject of you, this is your moment to paint the picture of what you
bring to the table and why you’re the most dynamic and capable person for the
job.
2. Bridge the Gap Between Confidence and Enthusiasm (Then
Marry the Two)
How many times have you been confident in your ability to
perform a task but not necessarily enthused about doing it (or vice versa)?
Confidence speaks to the way you perceive you, while enthusiasm is more
indicative of your feelings about something or someone other than yourself — in
this case, the gig.
To make sure there’s a healthy balance between the two,
draft a list of reasons you’re confident about your ability to perform the job,
and pair each one with a reason why you’re enthusiastic about showing up. Youshould be able to clearly communicate these reasons during your interview.
