An interview is an important exercise that carries a realistic prospect of landing your dread job. As such, interviews are mentally taxing especially if you are feeling under prepared for it.
This post will help you on how to prepare for an interview mentally.
Contents
Preparing for the interview Mentally
There are a few important thing you need to do to prepare for the interview manually. You will need to
- Visualize your interview
- Do a few mock interviews
- Be honest about your weaknesses
- Ensure you are mentally relaxed for the interview
Overview
You can practice how to prepare for an interview by picturing your answer to a question.
Try doing a few mock interviews before the actual interview to see how you will react in these situations.
If you know that you are going to be nervous, make yourself as relaxed as possible before the interview begins.
You should also practice giving the best answer to a question that you are not confident with. Practicing these tips before the actual interview will help you to overcome the fear of failing.
Visualize Your Interview
One of the best ways to prepare for an upcoming interview is to mentally rehearse it. If you have the chance, lie down in a comfortable position.
Close your eyes, and imagine yourself in the position that you would be in during the interview. Try to imagine the scene that will occur if you are seated in the board and interacting with the panel.
During the visualization process, try to focus and breathe deeply. Imagine yourself in the environment where you would be interviewed, and how you would act in such a situation.
Practicing visualization can help you overcome the nervousness and panic of an interview.
Try to visualize a situation that will allow you to perform well, or even succeed. You can try to imagine scenarios that involve the interviewer giving you positive feedback.
If you can, try to visualize yourself achieving a goal while you are on the way to completing the task. If you can, try to visualize yourself with a positive attitude.
While you are practicing your new visualization, make sure to consider the environment you will be entering during the interview. Describe how you would feel in that position.
You can also use gestures and descriptions to make the environment more realistic for you.
Make sure that you are clean, well-groomed, and dressed well. When it comes to clothing, you should dress a notch above your everyday work clothes.
Do A Few Mock Interviews
The interviewer will ask you a series of questions. Prepare answers beforehand, and dress the part. You can even record your mock interviews to better prepare mentally.
The more realistic your interviews are, the more likely you will be to nail your interview. Once you’ve completed the interviews, evaluate them and learn from them.
Practice makes perfect, right? Here are some tips to get you mentally prepared for the real thing:
Do a few mock interviews to learn how to answer common interview questions.
Try to answer questions that you may not be confident about. Think about the context of the question and give your answer in points.
Don’t forget to ask the interviewer for feedback. This way, you can learn how to improve your performance and avoid making the same mistakes in the real interview.
However, it’s best to get feedback from more than one interviewer, and you should always request feedback from the hiring manager.
If you’re looking to land a job, do a few mock interviews. Interviewing can be stressful, so these simulations will help you relax before the real thing.
Mock interviews will also give you a chance to improve any weaknesses that you may have.
Practice will also help you get better at answering common questions and improve your body language. A successful mock interview will make you more confident in the real thing.
Be Honest About Your Weaknesses
When preparing for an interview, it’s important to be honest about your weaknesses, especially if you haven’t addressed them yet.
While identifying your weaknesses will help you stand out from the competition, a recruiter wants to see that you’re open and willing to improve.
In most cases, a weak point will make you less attractive to a prospective employer than a strong one.
In order to make your weakness sound good, choose carefully. Be honest about something that doesn’t impact the job description, and then mention ways to improve it.
Hard skills are skills that are easily quantified, such as computer skills and finance.
Don’t be shy about listing these skills if they’re not essential for the job, but don’t make them too obvious. Make sure they don’t seem too limiting, though – otherwise, it can come across as too negative.
The best way to answer this question is to choose a weakness that you’re comfortable discussing.
If it’s trivial, it’s a good idea to pick something that doesn’t derail your chances. For example, if you’re not very persuasive, don’t mention your lack of patience.
Rather, focus on your strengths and describe your weaknesses in a neutral way. Trying to sound negative or defensive will only damage your chances of landing the job.
Relax Before The Interview
It’s a good idea to relax before the interview to prepare mentally. Avoid last-minute cramming. It’s not necessary to know all the information, but avoiding unnecessary stress is helpful.
For instance, if you have a long day ahead, you can try walking a few blocks to relieve stress. It will also help to get some exercise to release endorphins and relax your mind.
Also, you should have a good breakfast before the interview to prevent your stomach from growling.
Getting some fresh air before the interview is another great way to calm nerves.
Walking around the block will clear your mind. If the interview is in person, try doing light exercises before the interview, such as swimming.
Doing this will help you focus more and decrease any feelings of anxiety. Another good idea is to avoid coffee or other caffeinated beverages before the interview. This is because coffee and tea can increase your blood sugar and cause anxiety.
Arriving late to an interview is one of the worst things that can happen. Plan your route in advance and practice it before the interview.
Make sure to leave enough time to get to the interview location, and don’t plan a wild party the night before. Instead, take advantage of your free time before the interview to study or relax.
Then, once you arrive at the interview location, you can focus on the interview itself.
Do Some Deep Breathing Exercises
To make the interview process go more smoothly, do some deep breathing exercises.
These can relax your body and mind, helping you concentrate better during the interview.
Focus on breathing slowly and deeply from your lower abdomen. You can also breathe silently through your nose.
You should practice these techniques throughout the interview, but they are most effective in the final few minutes. Here are the most effective ones. Do them regularly to avoid being nervous.
Try to breathe in and out through your nose alternately. The longer the count, the more relaxed you will feel.
Begin by inhaling through your left nostril, and exhaling through your right nostril.
Repeat this exercise a few times each day, and you’ll be surprised by how quickly you’ll begin to feel more relaxed.
Practicing alternate breathing will help you relax your jaw and face, helping you stave off stress.
Stretching before the interview is another way to calm your nerves and keep yourself relaxed.
A session can take hours, and candidates are likely to meet with various people and visit several departments.
During downtime, stretch your arms and legs to reduce tension.
These exercises will also help you relax any muscles that are tense. When you are seated, practice tensing and releasing muscles before the interview.
Beyond the mental preparation, you also need to ensure the look and feel is on point from your part.
Dress Nicely For The Interview
You can prepare for your interview by dressing appropriately. You should choose clothes that fit you well and make you feel confident.
Avoid wearing clothing that is baggy, too tight, or too colorful. If you’re dressing for a formal environment, a button-down shirt and a suit are the best options.
You also want to avoid clothing that looks sloppy or unprofessional.
The key is to choose attire that is simple and unobtrusive, while still conveying a professional image.
Before your interview, take a mirror and bathroom break. Remember that you will be talking to the hiring manager for the first time, so make sure your breath smells fresh.
Your outfit should reflect professionalism and make a strong impression on the hiring manager.
Maintain your poise and pleasant expression throughout the interview.
Your appearance can make or break your interview. Ensure that you use a breath freshener to freshen your breath.
It is also important to make sure that your attire makes you look good.
You should wear neat sneakers or dress shoes.
Avoid wearing jeans or shorts. If possible, make sure your clothes are clean and ironed.
You should also go a step further and visit the office of the company where you are interviewing to see what people are wearing.
Don’t stop there.
Final Thoughts
You must dress nicely for your interview – not just physically but mentally too. You’ll be glad you did.
If you don’t feel comfortable in your clothes, try going to the office of the company and taking a look at what others wear.