fbpx
Menu

job application

giraffes-consulting-lifestyle-shot-3_small

Ace That Job Interview: Proven Confidence-Building Tips

, ,

Let’s be real for a moment: job interviews can be daunting. When having that conversation with a prospective employer, you’re there to make a great first impression, to show them why you’re absolutely the right person for the job. You’re expected to exude a high level of confidence when, in fact, you may feel anything BUT confident. This can be even more of an issue the longer you’ve been looking for work, especially if you have had a few rejections.

But don’t fret! There are some practical, tangible steps you can take to reclaim your self-confidence before heading into the interview. Let’s explore a few effective and actionable confidence-building strategies that can help you ace your next job interview.

Remind Yourself of Your Qualities and Qualifications

Let’s start by pointing out the obvious: you got the job interview. That means an employer saw your resume and liked what they saw–to the point that they reached out to you. This in itself is an achievement, and it means they’ve already recognized your talents. The next step (i.e., the interview) isn’t to decide whether you’re qualified, but if you’re the right fit for the team. In other words, you’ve already proven your value before the interview starts. Reminding yourself of this one fact, and the qualities you have that led to this moment, can itself help increase your confidence.

Visualize Success

Positive visualization is a powerful tool used by many successful individuals, from athletes to CEOs. Start by picturing yourself confidently walking into the interview room, shaking hands with the interviewer, and answering questions with ease and assurance. Imagine leaving the interview room knowing you’ve given your best. If your interview is scheduled on Zoom, visualize exuding confidence, smiling, adopting open postures, etc. This mental rehearsal can significantly boost your confidence.

Review Your Achievements

Often, the root of low self-confidence is forgetting our past successes. Before your interview, create a list of your achievements. This could include projects you’ve completed, challenges you’ve overcome, or skills you’ve mastered. Reviewing this list will remind you of your capabilities and accomplishments, helping to bolster your self-confidence.

Adopt a Power Pose

Body language speaks volumes about your confidence level. Research led by social psychologist Amy Cuddy has shown that adopting a “power pose” can increase feelings of confidence. (If you’ve never seen her TED Talk on the subject, it’s worth a watch.) Her ideas have sparked debate over the years as to whether power poses actually work–but recent research on the subject has recently validated this concept. So if you’re struggling with confidence, try this: stand tall with your hands on your hips, or sit with your legs and arms spread out in a relaxed manner, for two minutes before your interview. These poses can “trick” your brain into feeling more confident and powerful–and before you know it, you will be.

Practice Out Loud

Practice makes perfect, or at least, much better. Take a look at the job description and turn the job duties lists into questions an interviewer might ask. Then rehearse your responses to those questions out loud to make you feel more prepared and confident. Consider practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself to get comfortable with your responses, expressions and body language. Pay particular attention to your facial expressions, especially if you’re prepping for a Zoom interview. (Pro tip: When doing Zoom interviews, also remember to look into the camera, not at your screen. This presents the image of making eye contact with the interviewer.)

Dress for Success

What you wear can significantly impact how you feel. Whether you’re interviewing in person or by Zoom, dressing professionally can boost your confidence and help you make a positive first impression. Choose an outfit that makes you feel comfortable, professional, and confident.

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with – it’s something you build. Developing confidence takes time and practice, but these actionable tips can help you feel more self-assured in your next job interview. Remember, every interview is a learning experience. So, even if you don’t get the job, consider it a step forward in your journey towards career success. Oh, and one more tip for gaining more confidence: work with a career coach. Few things can help you feel more confident in your job search than knowing you’re not alone in the process. I’ll work with you on multiple levels to help you find the opportunities, identify your strengths, and convey those strengths both on your resume and your interviews, so you can land the job you want. To schedule a free initial consultation, access my calendar here.

job-interview-gcd4380bce_640

Why You Don’t Have to Be the Most Qualified Candidate to Land the Job

, , ,

We’ve all been there. You see a job listing for a position that perfectly aligns with your career goals. But then, you notice the qualifications and experience required, and your heart sinks. For LinkedIn job listings, the platform even goes so far as to tell you how many people have already applied for the job, and how many of your skills make you a good (or not-so-good) candidate. It’s meant to help you filter through job listings to find ones that are a good fit—but when your heart is set on a certain company or position, it can also be quite disheartening.

I’m here to tell you to set all that aside—at least for the moment. Granted, you can’t land just any job with no qualifications whatsoever—but contrary to popular belief, employers rarely choose a new hire based solely on qualifications, and you’d be surprised at how often employers pick candidates that don’t look as good on paper as others vying for the position. What I mean by this is that if it’s the job you want and you’re confident you can do it well, there are ways to position yourself as the candidate to beat even if others appear more qualified. Here’s why this is so.

Culture Fit Matters More Than Qualifications

Many employers prioritize finding candidates whom they see as compatible with the company culture rather than qualifications alone. The reason? If you’re a good fit, they can always help you improve your skills, but they also know that hiring someone who doesn’t get along with the team or doesn’t align with the company’s values can create a tense and unproductive work environment. As a candidate, you can demonstrate your cultural fit by researching the company’s values, mission, and work culture. Use this information to tailor your resume, cover letter, and interview responses to show that you share the company’s values and have the skills and personality traits that align with the team.

Soft Skills Are Just as Essential as Hard Skills

Skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are considered “soft skills” that are important for many job positions. Being able to work well with others, adapt to changing situations, and handle conflicts–these are highly valued skills in most workplaces. These abilities might not readily appear on your resume under your work history or education, but you can work them subtly into your resume by highlighting your accomplishments in various jobs as opposed to just listing your job duties. (See my post on common resume mistakes for more on this.) When you’re applying for a job, make sure to highlight your soft skills during your interview and provide examples from your past experiences.

Passion and Enthusiasm Can Be More Important Than Experience

Insider tip: Employers aren’t that impressed with your experience–they’ve probably got dozens of resumes from highly experienced applicants. Nor are they that put off by your seeming lack of experience. They want to see candidates who are eager to learn, work hard, and grow with the company. They look for people who have a positive attitude, energy, and the determination to succeed. If you don’t have the experience or qualifications that a job posting requires, but you’re passionate about the role and industry, you can demonstrate this passion by demonstrating that you’ve done your homework on the company, asking thoughtful questions during the interview, and highlighting your transferable skills.

Networking Can Help Seal the Deal

Finally, don’t discount the power of a good job referral from someone in your network. Networking isn’t just about making contacts; it’s about building relationships. Connections can provide you with insider knowledge about the company and job, and even put in a good word for you. A strong recommendation can open doors that qualifications alone cannot. If you know someone who works in the company (or even someone who doesn’t work there but is well-respected), their influence can hold more sway than you think. It’s not uncommon for hires to be made based on the right person’s recommendation alone.

So…bottom line…if you get word about a job that fits your goals and passions but you’re insecure about how you look on paper–don’t let that deter you from going for it. You’ve likely got other qualities the employer is looking for, and by highlighting those qualities, you can still position yourself a real contender for the job. If you’re not sure how to do that, or if you just want some extra guidance in landing the job you want, I’m here to help! I’ll even talk through your goals with you in an initial consultation with no obligation. Just click here to access my calendar and set up a time.