Next time you’re preparing for an interview, try out these simple strategies that can help to keep your nerves at bay so you can let your true value shine through.
Practice makes perfect
If you trip up on your answers, don’t despair: this is your opportunity to workshop your responses and get used to communicating them clearly. What you’ll find is that the more you practice, the easier you’ll find it’ll be to reel off your answers without missing a beat.
Prepare a ‘cheat sheet’
- the names and titles of the people that will be interviewing you (if you know them)
- why you want the role
- your most relevant skills/experience
- examples of challenging situations you’ve had to overcome in the past
- what you can bring to the dealership
- some questions you want to ask about the role or dealership
- anything else you think could be of value.
Set yourself up for success
Here are some simple things you can do to ensure you’re in the best physical state come interview time:
- ensure you get a good night’s sleep
- do a light workout on the morning of the interview
- drink lots of water
- try not to overdo the caffeine
- give yourself plenty of brainpower by making healthy food choices that will load you up with valuable nutrients and antioxidants
Fake it till you make it
And of course – remember to smile! Even if you’re feeling all the nerves in the world, a simple smile will instantly disguise them.
Arrive early and take some time to ‘get in the zone’
- taking a walk around the block while listening to your favourite uplifting tracks
- finding a park bench and practising some deep breathing exercises
- grabbing a juice or coffee at a local cafe and exercising some mindfulness: observe and acknowledge how your body is feeling, and rather than letting those feelings overwhelm you, make an active decision to proceed with the intention of absorbing those feelings into your actions. It can leave you feeling surprisingly empowered!
Remember that you’re interviewing them too
Flipping the conversation in your mind can remove some of the pressure and help you feel like you have more control over the situation.
Put things into perspective
Even if you really want to land the role, the reality is that the world isn’t going to end if you don’t. While yes, initially it may not feel great if you don’t deliver a great interview, life will go on. You’ll keep chugging along, and in time, another great opportunity will be sure to come along and you’ll have another chance to show what you can really do.
