| An interview process can often be one of the most | | | | take a few days to get clothing cleaned and you don't |
| stressful times you can go through. You have to sell | | | | want to be thinking about it. That includes a haircut, |
| yourself and your experiences to a person or group of | | | | don't wait until the day before, get it done a week |
| people that you don't know in an environment | | | | before. You want as little stress inducing activities as |
| completely new to you. They can ask you all sorts of | | | | possible for the days before the interview. |
| questions and you don't know if you will be able to | | | | Work out how you will get to the interview and |
| answer them. You feel vulnerable and this is a | | | | estimate the time it will take. Make a dry run of the trip |
| stressful sensation. | | | | before the interview if you want to be exact. If you |
| After all that bad news there is some good tidings. | | | | are taking public transport always give yourself extra |
| You can reduce the stress of a job interview | | | | time for delays or missed connections. It is important |
| significantly by following the simple guidelines below. | | | | that you arrive on time, not just in the eyes of the |
| First off, adhere to the old adage : if you fail to | | | | potential employers but your own peace of mind |
| prepare, prepare to fail. You must prepare for the | | | | On the day of the interview the challenge is to stay |
| interview thoroughly. | | | | calm and focused on the objective. You are giving a |
| This includes some basic research of the company. | | | | honest account of your personality, skills and abilities. |
| Things like their history, the CEO, topical news items | | | | You are also going to find out if the job is right for you. |
| about the company and the people that will be | | | | The interview is a two way process. You are asking |
| interviewing you and their relationship to the job. The | | | | them questions and they are selling their company to |
| chances are that you may not need all this information. | | | | you. This is a good way to reduce the stress that you |
| But it would make a great impression if you could | | | | are giving a performance and they are there to judge |
| make a comment about the latest piece of news on | | | | you. This will also develop a dialogue during the |
| the company. This will allow you to converse with the | | | | interview and show that you are enthusiastic about the |
| interviewers about non-interview topics and develop a | | | | job. |
| relationship with them. This can relieve the stress of | | | | An important technique when answering questions is |
| talking to strangers. | | | | to relate your personal experiences/skills to the |
| You should think about the likely questions that you will | | | | question asked rather than change the subject by |
| be asked and formulate answers to them. You can | | | | talking about unrelated things in the eyes of the |
| practise answering these questions aloud or write | | | | interviewers. This will keep the interview on track and |
| notes about the answer to study. This will give you | | | | give it a sense of continuity. |
| confidence that you will be able to answer some of | | | | Finally, you should thank the interviewer for the |
| the questions satisfactorily. | | | | opportunity and ask when you are likely to hear from |
| Be sure that your suit or attire is dry cleaned and | | | | them. You can send a follow up message if you have |
| ready to wear a week before the interview. It can | | | | not heard from them by then. |