kathy@interviewcoach.com.
Best regards
Carole Martin
http://www.interviewcoach.com
Fear of Interviewing for a Job
Your heart is beating faster than usual, your hands feel
clammy, your mouth is so dry it feels like you have cotton
inside -- and you're supposed to feel confident. Are you
going to an interview or a torture session? The answer is
--"it's all in your perspective."
Ideally you would sit poised thumbing through a magazine,
feeling relaxed as you wait your turn to have a
conversation with the interviewer for the company. Think
about it -- what do you have to lose here? What's the worst
thing that can happen? What if you don't get this job -- is
the world going to stop turning? I realize of course, that
bills must be paid, but you are taking the wrong approach
if you are going to come across as desperate -- "Please,
please, hire me." Interviewers smell fear.
A change in thinking
The first, and most important step is to change the way
that you view the interview. This is not an appointment
with the dentist who may inflict pain. It is a conversation
with another person. What is the worst thing that can
happen as a result of the interview? You won't get the job,
which may not have been the right job for you anyway.
Secondly, this is a conversation -- a two-way process. You
will be interviewing them as much as they are interviewing
you. Is there a good fit here -- both ways? What looks good
on paper may not be what it appears -- for either party. It
will be part of your job during the interview to
investigate whether this a good place for you, and whether
you want to invest a significant part of your life here.
When you are not checking them out and what they have to
offer you are missing an opportunity that you may regret
later.
Calming techniques
One of the best techniques to handle stress is through
breathing. Take deliberate, shallow breaths. Take air in
through the nostrils and exhale quietly through your mouth.
This is a technique that should be practiced as a
relaxation technique before the interview so that your body
gets used to slowing down the breathing process and
relaxing.
Relaxation techniques such as yoga, and meditation classes,
are recommended for anyone who has an extreme case of
"interview fright." The interview can cause panic attacks
if the fear is strong enough. Pre-conditioning will do
wonders for this type of anxiety.
Preparation before the interview
These are competitive times and you should steel yourself
to expect some rejection. Think about it this way, "Did you
get a marriage proposal after every date?" Well, you
probably aren't going to get a job offer after every
interview.
For every job you apply for there are more than likely
three to four equally qualified candidates in line for the
same job. Whether you stand out from "the crowd" will
depend on your preparation and ability to show confidence
in yourself -- believing that you are the "best candidate
for this job." How can you possibly sell anyone anything if
you don't believe in it yourself?
Preparation will make you feel more confident and less
anxious. Can you imagine giving a performance without some
practice and preparation? "Winging" the interview in
today's market is a big mistake.
Fear of Rejection
You may have had a number of interviews with no offer. You
may be feeling defeated, and it's beginning to affect
your-self esteem.
This would be true of anyone. But it is a mistake to take
it personally. There are so many factors that could be
affecting the offer that it is impossible to say what is
happening. There may be internal candidates, relatives
promised jobs, a competitor who is a perfect match for the
job, a lack of chemistry between you and the new boss, a
mismatch in salary needs, etc., etc.
Let it go
Give yourself credit for getting an interview -- only a
small percentage of people get this far in the process.
Give yourself credit for going out there and putting
yourself on the line, even though it is painful for you.
Give yourself permission to not get job offers. Believe
that an offer will come through when it is the right offer
-- the right fit for the company and for you. Take the
control back and reject the feeling of fear.
When you have done everything to prepare for the interview,
and you are satisfied that you can present yourself in the
best light possible, the next step is for you to let it go.
You can learn something from each interview. Learn to enjoy
meeting new people and having new experiences. Who knows
you may even grow to like interviewing.
----------------------------------------------------
Carole Martin is a celebrated author, trainer, and mentor.
Carole can give you interviewing tips like no one else can.
Get a copy of her FREE 9-part "Interview Success Tips"
report by visiting Carole on the web at
http://tinyurl.com/2kd3xm
