You Lack Confidence And Poise Or Appear Nervous And Ill At Ease.
This is why we have interviews!
You may look great on paper. You may have gone to a great school or worked for a great company. But the interview will tell the employer who you really are and how you are going to show up as an employee.
How important is confidence? Important!
An informal survey garnered this comment from a recruiter: “I coin the most impressive quality in a job candidate ‘humble confidence.’”
Another said: “When a candidate can answer a question in a brief, bright and confident way, that is a unique skill.”
Hiring managers want to hire confident, likeable people. Would you hire someone who said (or came across as if they were saying), “Um, well I think I can do this job, but I’m not really sure…” Probably not.
Do this instead:
Even if you don’t feel amazingly confident, simple body and style techniques can help. Here are a few you can implement today!
Use Amy Cuddy’s power pose routine before you head into the interview.
Dress in an interview-appropriate outfit that makes you feel like a million bucks. Be on time. Greet your host with a firm handshake, eye contact, and a smile. Spend time before the interview visualizing yourself going through the process in minute detail.
Do your research and practice, practice, practice — pretending you’re in the interview. You will be amazed at how much this will impact your confidence level!
There’s no doubt the interview process is wholly imperfect, and subjective. Your job is to do everything you can to increase the odds in your favor. Follow these tips to do everything you can to position yourself as the most qualified candidate – and get the offer.
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