If it’s been a while since your last job interview, you may feel slightly more nervous than normal leading up to the interview day. While everyone handles nerves differently, our IT recruiters have a few suggestions that may help you find a sense of calm, so you can walk into your interview feeling more confident.
1. Research the company in advance, but don’t overdo it
While your interviewer won’t expect you to know every detail about the company, make sure you know the basics. Spend time researching what the company offers and who it serves. If any questions arise during your research, jot them down. You can ask questions during the interview to show interest and get a better understanding of the company’s culture and outlook for the future. Remember that an interview is also an opportunity for you to get a better idea of whether or not the company is a good fit for you and your career goals.
2. Approach the interview as a conversation
Interviews can feel like a Q&A session or a conversation. When interviews are conversations, they often feel less intimidating and lead to a more informative interview. While you cannot control how the interviewer leads the interview, you can use tactics to turn the interview into a conversation that feels less daunting. Have some typical interview answers ready for questions about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as questions about why you’d want this position. As these questions come up during the interview, ask follow-up questions after you answer. If the interviewer asks about your skills, a good follow-up question may be, “Do you offer any ongoing training opportunities to help employees stay up-to-date on best practices?”
3. Avoid eating or drinking anything you might regret.
Sometimes nerves result in physical reactions like stomach pain. If this sounds like you, you should be mindful of what you eat before your interview. Eat enough to sustain yourself through the interview and choose foods you can rely on to give you lasting fullness and energy. Avoid overindulging or trying new foods before your interview to limit any stomach nerves from getting the best of you. It’s also a good idea to eat before you dress in your interview attire and carry water with you to have before and after.
4. Dress professionally and comfortably
You should look professionally presentable while dressing in attire that feels comfortable. If you’re unsure how formally to dress, try looking the company up on social media to see if they share any photos of their office or team. If you find photos of staff members in polo shirts and jeans, you know that a suit and tie may be unnecessary. In this situation, we recommend opting for a more casual professional outfit of business casual slacks and a collared shirt or a blouse. Do you get hot or cold when nervous? Take this into consideration when choosing an outfit for your interview. Try on your interview attire days in advance to avoid any unexpected outfit issues like poor fit or stains.
5. Get there early so you can take a moment to calm yourself down
Traffic can be unpredictable, so give yourself plenty of time to get to an in-person interview. Look up the company’s address on Google Maps before your interview to check out the route to take. You can use Google’s street view to see what the building looks like, so you can easily spot your destination along an unfamiliar route. Make sure you know where you need to park and account for walking time if your destination is in a downtown area or a large office complex.