IN THIS CHAPTER
- Facing that nervous feeling
- Building self-confidence for comfortable interviewing
- Setting realistic expectations for the first interview
Everyone feels nervous before an interview- that's normal. The interview process is important because a company uses it as a test - a test of your skills in communication and persuasion. Your ability to communicate what you know as well as persuade that you are the candidate best suited to the company's expectations is a formidable task. One way to approach the interview experience is with the attitude that it is a win-win situation. You win if you eventually get the job you interview for - and you win valuable experience even if you don't get this particular job. With this attitude, you can build your confidence and deal with the customary nervousness knowing that something good will come out of the interview no matter what decision the company makes.
In this chapter, you learn the RAPP approach to building self-confidence for your winning interview as well as practical suggestions for dealing with the stage fright that you might experience as you wait for the actual interview. Finally, you learn to set some realistic expectations for your first interview with a company.
Confidence-Building: The RAPP Approach
The RAPP approach to building your confidence for your winning interview is based on many of the things presented in previous chapters. The four elements involved in the RAPP approach are the four cornerstones to the foundation for your self-confidence:
- R stands for the research and information you have about the company and the industry
- A stands for your appearance as you go to the interview well groomed and confident about how you look.
- P stands for the preparation you have put into networking, getting directions, and learning names.
- P stands for the repeated practice you have given your interviewing skills.
R is for research
Your confidence stands on the research you have done about the company and the industry for which you are being interviewed. Review the completed Company Fact Sheet (see Chapter 2) the night before your interview. Bring the completed worksheet with you to the interview. You may have time to review it again as you wait for your interview.
When you took any test in the past, whether in college, applying for a driver's license, or qualifying for a sports competition, you remember that you felt more confident about taking the test when you had studied or prepared yourself in the appropriate way. The same is true for your winning job interview. The research or study you have done about the company gives you a sense of confidence.
A is for appearance
Yourappearance when you present yourself at the interview is part of that all-important first impression. You don't get a second chance to make a good first impression. Take care that your appearance is not a matter of chance - but give it careful consideration.
Take a good look in a full-length mirror. Try to see yourself for the first time. Do not be overly critical or accepting of what you look like. Just be objective. When seeing you for the first time, what do you think a stranger notices?
Use the following checklist to help you take heed of your appearance and the impression you and your wardrobe can make on the interviewer. Rank yourself using a 5-point scale. Identify at least two things you will do to improve your appearance in each area.
- Posture. "Stand up straight" was good advice from your parents and is good advice now. Practice walking toward the full-length mirror until you are comfortable with what you see. Pull a chair to the front of the mirror and practice sitting down and getting up from it. How do you look? Look closely at how you appear with your legs crossed.
- Grooming. Take a hard look at your hair. Do you need a new hairstyle, haircut, or hair color? YOU will make gestures with your hands. See your hands as the interviewer does. They need to be clean, with nails trimmed and shaped. Avoid gaudiness in ring(s) or other jewelry you wear. Avoid strong personal fragrances.
- Wardrobe. Choose what you wear to the interview carefully. The old axiom "Dress for Success" holds true. Plan your wardrobe as if you already work in the position you are applying for. Your basic suit should be clean, pressed, and conservatively accessorized. Pay attention to your shoes. Are they polished, comfortable, and well heeled? Don't forget your hose. Are you color-coordinated?
- Accessories. Consider the impression that your wrist-watch, briefcase, tie, scarf, wallet, purse, and so on make when you first walk through the interviewer's door. This is not the time to wear your favorite Mickey Mouse watch. Keep things simple yet elegant.
If you're in doubt about your appearance, ask a friend with the best taste to view your interview wardrobe and make suggestions.
P is for preparation
When you know where you're going, how long it will take you to get there, and the names and phone numbers of the people you will be talking to, you have no reason to feel the jitters because of being unprepared. You have prepared information about the company. Your Company Fact Sheet has been completed and reviewed. You have prepared your wardrobe and you feel confident about your appearance. YOU have attended to the details of directions and travel time to your destination. Include extra copies of your resume and business cards in your briefcase. Don't forget paper for taking notes and a pen.
You are prepared. Now smile.
P is for practice, practice
If you followed the suggestions in Chapter 3, you took the time to identify your strengths and weaknesses, prepare questions you might expect in your interview, and actually practice or role-play your interview with a friend.
Realize too that unexpected things may happen in your interview process. No one can anticipate everything that will occur. But take confidence in the fact that you have practiced for a great deal of what will occur. And the fact that you are prepared and practiced in the skills of interviewing will give you the confidence you need to do well in the unexpected situations that may arise.
Imagine that you have just been certified in the RAPP school of confidence. You have done your research, you have taken care with your appearance, and you are prepared and well rehearsed. Those are strong reasons to go to the interview process with confidence.