CONFIDENCE BOOSTERS FOR THE DAY OF THE JOB INTERVIEW

CONFIDENCE BOOSTERS FOR THE DAY OF THE JOB INTERVIEW

CONFIDENCE BOOSTERS FOR THE DAY OF THE JOB INTERVIEW

Even if you’re well-prepared and qualified, these nervousness symptoms can ruin your chances of getting the job.

These quick confidence hacks will help you perform better in the lead-up to your next job interview without resorting to energy drinks or corny motivational speeches, but will help you overcome your natural inclination to panic in high-stakes situations.

Harvard Business School social psychologist Amy Cuddy recently spoke at a TedGlobal event, where she discussed what candidates do while waiting for an interview to begin.

“You’re in a seated position. You have your iPhone or Android in your hand. You have your notes out and you’re reading them.

This common practise in the waiting room is not the best way to boost your self-assurance before an important interview. Instead, try some of these exercises before a meeting with a potential employer to boost your self-assurance.

1. POWER POSE FOR 2 MINUTES

Instead of making yourself look small by slouching in a waiting room chair while you cram for an exam or practise an interview question, Cuddy suggests looking for a quiet place to do so.

It’s a “Power Pose,” as Cuddy puts it. While there are several iterations of the Wonder Woman pose, they’re all relatively simple to remember. Go into a private area (the restroom, for example) 10 minutes before your interview and strike a powerful pose in which you occupy as much physical space as possible.

In an interview with Inc. magazine, Cuddy described an experiment in which she had participants spit into a vial to measure their testosterone (a hormone linked to male dominance) and cortisol levels at rest (the hormone associated with stress).

Then, for 2 minutes, some people struck a high-power pose while others struck a low-power pose (hunched over). Hormone levels were checked, and she found:

Cuddy told Inc. that the high-power pose reduced cortisol by about 25 percent and increased testosterone by about 19 percent.

Finally, you have it! Keep your stress hormones in check by striking a mighty pose.

2. STATE A POSITIVE AFFIRMATION

According to Kathleen Hall, CEO of The Mindful Living Network and the Stress Institute, “repeating a positive affirmation can reduce production of cortisol and stress hormones by almost 50 percent,” as well as slow the mind, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and make you feel confident and powerful.

Some illustrations provided by Hall are as follows: When it comes to anything, I have complete faith. My potential is infinite.

Psychologist and CEO of Urban Balance Joyce Marter concurs, suggesting deep breathing while mentally repeating a positive mantra like “I absolutely will succeed in this job if given the opportunity.”

You may feel silly at first, but using these words will help you project an upbeat and confident image—much better than a tense and shaky one!

3. GO OVER THE GOOD THINGS OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT YOU.

During the time leading up to an interview, it can be helpful to recall a time when you were successful and confident. You can accomplish this quickly and easily by collecting positive comments made about you online or in print.

Peruse past notes of encouragement from teachers and employers, as well as letters of recommendation and LinkedIn endorsements.

Katherine Walker, founder and executive director of Lifetime Behavioral Health, suggests, “Quickly review your biggest accomplishments in your head before going into the interview,” if you’re not feeling this approach. “This walk down memory lane will instantly boost your confidence and prepare you for the kinds of questions the interviewer is bound to ask.”

The best way to ensure your success in a job interview is to remind yourself of the ways in which your past has shaped you and prepared you for the role.

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