The opposite of confident is insecure or even nervous. And most of the time, that’s exactly what you feel at a job interview: tense and nervous, which can quickly lead to a false first impression. To avoid exactly that and go into a job interview confident, calm and self-assured, it takes some practice.
To get a better grip on your insecurity or nervousness, you should ask yourself where it comes from in the first place. These three answers are the most common:
- you don’t know what to expect.
- you are in an unfamiliar environment.
- you are (perhaps) shaping your professional future here.
You do not know what to expect
If you don’t know what to expect, you can’t estimate the impact of certain statements or actions. A little nervousness is perfectly normal. After all, our ancestors would not have survived if they had not first approached every new situation with caution.
The only thing that helps against this is to turn the unknown into something familiar, if possible. Good knowledge of the company provides security. If you are well prepared for questions about your future employer, you will have almost no unpleasant surprises. A detailed preparation also includes the company values, reading press articles and opinions as well as the exact knowledge about the advertised position and its requirements.
You are in an unfamiliar environment
Of course, there is nothing you can do about this directly. But you can make yourself as comfortable and familiar as possible. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable in your own skin. Under a jacket, for example, you can wear your favorite shirt or, as a lady, put your favorite scarf around your neck. A good meal before the interview and sufficient sleep are also helpful.
You are (perhaps) shaping your professional future here.
Especially if the position corresponds to your dream job, your nervousness will be extremely high. Conversely, one often hears of cases in which the applicant who did not really want the job so badly is successful. This applicant is simply more relaxed and at ease, without of course appearing indifferent.
Practice makes perfect
Whether in sports, at university or in a job application situation … the more you practice, the more confident you will become. Practice the conversations alone in front of the mirror or with a friend or a buddy in a kind of role play. Take turns playing the role of the applicant and the role of the hiring manager. Filming yourself while doing this helps you to recognize your external effect. Are you perhaps unconsciously tapping your fingers on the table or rocking back and forth the entire time?
What about embeddeers?
Signs of nervousness are common and are no reason for us to reject an applicant. We value professional competence, motivation and genuine interest in the job. A good preparation in the points of own curriculum vitae, job description and the company are essential. Then nothing will stand in the way of a successful interview.