For most people, heading in for an interview is a nerve-wracking experience but it doesn’t have to be. Consider these 4 hacks to help you ace your next interview and land the job of your dreams:
1) Smile
Have you ever heard the saying “Fake it until you make it’? This holds true for many things, including interviews. While we don’t want you to fake your way through the entire interview, there is something to be said for faking a smile even when you feel nervous. 38% of interviewees get so wrapped up in their nerves during interviews that they forget to smile entirely, which can damage your chances of being hired.
In addition to making you look more confident, friendly and approachable, smiling even when you’re nervous can have distinct mental and emotional impacts. In fact, smiling can improve your mood and decrease stress. That said, smile during your interview, even if you’re nervous. This simple trick can help elevate your mood and clear your mind, so you can perform better during your interview.
2) Mirror your interviewer’s body language
It’s a fact of human nature that we tend to mirror people we respect deeply and, that when someone reminds us of ourselves, we’re prone to like them more because of it. Therefore, mirroring your interviewer’s body language during an interview can send the message that you’re paying attention and are genuinely invested in what he or she is saying.
You don’t need to take it too far by mimicking every move your interviewer makes, but you should lean forward when he or she leans forward and adopt an open posture when he or she does the same. Doing this can help foster positive feelings in the interviewer and help you seem receptive and alert.
3) Make eye contact
During an interview, 67% of all interviewees fail to make eye contact. When two people meet for the first time, they have only 7 seconds to make a first impression. If eye contact isn’t’ maintained during this time, there’s a high probability that your first impression will make your interviewer perceive you as self-conscious, shy, or weak, which isn’t good for your chances of landing the job. 55% of the messages people receive about one another are communicated solely through body language so you’ll want to make sure yours is saying “I’m capable of this job and I want it.” Therefore, the more eye contact you can make and maintain, the better.
4) Do your research beforehand
One of the most important measures you can take before an interview is to learn about the company. This helps you enter the interview with an air of confidence and saves you from awkward moments of grappling for an answer when asked “Why do you want to work here?” If you do your research before you sit down for your interview, you’re more likely to come off as confident, self-contained, and knowledgeable – all of which are traits interviewers want in potential employees.
Although there is ample wisdom available on how to perform better in interviews, these 4 simple hacks can help you feel calm, cool, prepared, and capable when you sit down at the interview table. To learn more about how to boost your interview skills, contact Crawford Thomas today.