Interview nerves can strike anyone, no matter how experienced or well-prepared you are. It’s a normal occurrence every day here at Loves Success to hear expressions of pre-interview nerves from our candidates! However, confidence plays a crucial role in how you present yourself and how employers perceive you. Fortunately, with the right preparation and mindset, you can walk into your next interview feeling self-assured and ready to impress.
So, how?
· Prepare Thoroughly
One of the best ways to boost confidence is by ensuring you’re fully prepared. The more you know about the company, the role, and your own skills, the more self-assured you’ll feel on the day.
· Research the Company
Look into the company’s values, mission, and recent news. Check out their social media platforms. Understanding their culture helps you align your answers with what they’re looking for.
· Know the Job Description Inside Out
Go through the job posting carefully and match your skills and experience to the key requirements. This allows you to confidently highlight your suitability for the role. If you can get a copy of the job description and person specification in advance, even better.
· Prepare Answers to Common Questions
Think about potential interview questions, especially competency-based ones, and practise your responses. Use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure clear and compelling answers. Your consultant at Love Success can help you prepare for common questions.
· Practise, Practise, Practise
Practice makes perfect, and the more you rehearse your answers, the more confident you’ll become. Ask a friend, family member, or mentor to run through common interview questions with you. Speaking your answers out loud helps build fluency and confidence. Your Love Success consultant may be willing to do a mock interview with you to build your confidence.
· Record Yourself
Listening to yourself can highlight areas for improvement, such as filler words or unclear phrasing. It’s common to notice that you might need to slow down a little.
· Practise in Front of a Mirror
This allows you to observe your body language and make adjustments to appear more confident. It’s particularly useful if you’ve not got anyone to run through some practice questions with who can give you feedback.
Manage Pre-Interview Anxiety
Feeling nervous is natural, but managing anxiety effectively can prevent it from undermining your confidence. It’s common for people to feel they could have performed better at interview if they weren’t so anxious. The trick is to take charge of the nerves in advance.
· Use Deep Breathing Techniques
Taking slow, deep breaths can calm your nervous system and help you stay composed.
· Visualise Success
Picture yourself walking into the interview, answering questions confidently, and leaving with a positive outcome.
· Power Poses
Standing tall with open body language for a few minutes before the interview can boost confidence and reduce stress.
· Dress for Success
Wearing professional attire that makes you feel good about yourself can significantly enhance your confidence. Choose an outfit that aligns with the company’s dress code and makes you feel polished and prepared.
· Arrive Prepared and On Time
Rushing to an interview can increase stress and make you feel flustered. Plan your journey in advance, allowing extra time for potential delays. If it’s a video interview, test your technology beforehand to avoid last-minute issues.
Hopefully, you’ll now feel ready to walk into your next interview feeling self-assured, prepared, and ready to land your ideal office support job in London.
Register as a Love Success candidate.