How To Calm Your Mind For An Interview

Job interviews are stressful business, but they do not have to make you crazy with worry if you focus your thoughts on three main things: 

• preparation
• positive thinking
• presentation

The thought of a job interview can make your head spin. There can be much anxiety prior to an interview– What will they ask? Will I know the answers? Do I look okay? What if I just freeze? Will they like me? Will I like them?

For more details on the three key factors see the article here.

Address Long-Term Unemployment in Interviews

For the long-term unemployed feelings of despair and bitterness are understandable. It is important to deal with those feelings privately, and not carry them with you into a job interview. It is human nature to respond to positivity and avoid negativity – employers want to hire someone upbeat and positive.

There is no sure opportunity killer than expressing your views about the economy or job market in your interview. Employers know the market setting, but in the interview setting, all they care about is finding the right person for the job. 

For thoughts on answering questions related to frustration long job searches see the article here.

Polish Interview Skills at Job Fairs

At any stage of our job search you can take advantage of Job Fairs. Even as you are preparing your resume, which of course you want to be perfect, use a job fair as a dry run for interviewing. This includes dressing for the occasion, and a 30 second summary.

Use the Job Fair in parallel with your other preparations – practice for the final event of a real interview. This interview will be very short, so the pressure will be less.  The handshake, eye contact, speaking and responding are all valuable experiences to have been through prior to receiving a real interview invitation.

For more details see the complete article here.

Make a Positive Impression in Seven Seconds

It is said that your resume may get 10 - 15 seconds before warranting the wast basket or the 'read again' stack.

If your resume is solid enough to warrant an interview, there is another short time frame that is critical. It is your first impression.  Whether it is in an interview or in nearly any other situation of a first meeting, first impressions are critical.

That time frame is around 7 seconds.  Review four points to make the most of first impressions here.

Send a Thank You After Interviewing

There is really no  "downside" for sending a thank you note after a job interview, although most job candidates don't bother to do it. Sending a thank you --if done reasonably well-- will not hurt your chances at a job.

Worst case, your thank you will be ignored.

Best case, it will improve the impression you left after the interview, making you stand out from your competitors..

For a good discussion on 'Thank Yous'  see the article here

Get the Most of Job and Career Counseling

If you're currently or considering working with a career counselor, how can you reap lasting benefits from the experience? There's no precise formula, but these tips will help make your voyage successful.

• Think Participant, Not Recipient
• Have Realistic Expectations
• Be Honest, Especially with Yourself
• Know What You Want to Accomplish
• It's OK to Think, But Do as Well
• Be Open to Challenge

For full details on these career counseling topics, see the complete article here.