To some people the interview is a “nerve wracking” experience and the body can act in a way that feels unnatural and “not normal” with our bodies and our mouths seemingly operating independently and not sounding like “you” at all. To stop nerves getting the better of you, here are some tips to help you nail those interviews:
Speak clearly and concisely
Nerves tend to make us speed up and speak at 100 miles an hour, so breathe slowly and deeply and you will significantly lower your heart rate and when you speak, you’ll find you won’t rush.
Remain calm and stop yourself from shaking
Simply squeeze your buttocks, your body focuses on this and finds it almost impossible for the shakes to remain. So remember if you have shaky hands clench your buttocks. You will feel and appear more confident – and don’t worry, most clothes will completely mask your actions!
Stop the trembles in your voice
Open your throat by sticking your tongue out as far as it will go, and try to say the whole of a nursery rhyme out loud. Afterwards you’ll sound more confident and have more authority in your voice. (Of course, you should do this before the interview – not in front of the interviewees!)
Whilst you’re waiting – Stand
You will often be offered a seat while you wait. Don’t take it. You don’t want their first impression to be you struggling up out of a chair, grabbing the drink the receptionist kindly gave you, whilst also trying to shake their hand, so stay standing. You’ll look more confident and prepared if you are on the same level when you first meet.
Show your hands
Showing your hands is a sign of honesty, so keep them on the table or visible on your lap. Remember, you’re not shaking now!
Listen
When you’re crippled with fear and in full flight or fight mode, you find it hard to listen and often answer the wrong question. So try to slow down your body’s natural responses, be attentive and listen (don’t be frighten of silence) – it will also demonstrate that you value their questions and views.
Talk in your everyday “work” voice
Remember this is a meeting to establish your suitability for a job so rather than putting on a formal public speaking voice (save that if you have to do a formal presentation) speak calmly, not too loudly and speak as if you were talking with a group of work colleagues or friends.
Ultimately – Be yourself
In all that you do it is important to be “who you are” and “true to yourself” after all, that is who will turn up for work on day one and that’s who you want them to see. If a prospective employer doesn’t want you for who you are, do you really want to work for them? So, enjoy the interview and be proud of your achievements – you’re already on the shortlist so they must think pretty highly of you. Remember to slow down, listen and be yourself. Job done.
To some people the interview is a “nerve wracking” experience and the body can act in a way that feels unnatural and “not normal” with our bodies and our mouths seemingly operating independently and not sounding like “you” at all. To stop nerves getting the better of you, here are some tips to help you nail those interviews:
Speak clearly and concisely
Nerves tend to make us speed up and speak at 100 miles an hour, so breathe slowly and deeply and you will significantly lower your heart rate and when you speak, you’ll find you won’t rush.
Remain calm and stop yourself from shaking
Simply squeeze your buttocks, your body focuses on this and finds it almost impossible for the shakes to remain. So remember if you have shaky hands clench your buttocks. You will feel and appear more confident – and don’t worry, most clothes will completely mask your actions!
Stop the trembles in your voice
Open your throat by sticking your tongue out as far as it will go, and try to say the whole of a nursery rhyme out loud. Afterwards you’ll sound more confident and have more authority in your voice. (Of course, you should do this before the interview – not in front of the interviewees!)
Whilst you’re waiting – Stand
You will often be offered a seat while you wait. Don’t take it. You don’t want their first impression to be you struggling up out of a chair, grabbing the drink the receptionist kindly gave you, whilst also trying to shake their hand, so stay standing. You’ll look more confident and prepared if you are on the same level when you first meet.
Show your hands
Showing your hands is a sign of honesty, so keep them on the table or visible on your lap. Remember, you’re not shaking now!
Listen
When you’re crippled with fear and in full flight or fight mode, you find it hard to listen and often answer the wrong question. So try to slow down your body’s natural responses, be attentive and listen (don’t be frighten of silence) – it will also demonstrate that you value their questions and views.
Talk in your everyday “work” voice
Remember this is a meeting to establish your suitability for a job so rather than putting on a formal public speaking voice (save that if you have to do a formal presentation) speak calmly, not too loudly and speak as if you were talking with a group of work colleagues or friends.
Ultimately – Be yourself
In all that you do it is important to be “who you are” and “true to yourself” after all, that is who will turn up for work on day one and that’s who you want them to see. If a prospective employer doesn’t want you for who you are, do you really want to work for them? So, enjoy the interview and be proud of your achievements – you’re already on the shortlist so they must think pretty highly of you. Remember to slow down, listen and be yourself. Job done.