A job interview is not always a walk in the park, especially not for those with weak nerves. Some people find themselves unable to utter a word during the interview, or their hands tremble like leaves in the wind. Career expert Doria Pfob shares what you can do to combat nervousness.
“Fear and the associated nervousness often arise when people are not fully convinced of themselves and their competencies for a job. This creates a queasy feeling in the stomach.” Job interviews are somewhat comparable to giving a speech. And here, one important rule applies—practice, practice, practice. Start by mastering the introduction, particularly the answer to the question: “Tell us a bit about yourself.” In five minutes, you should convey to the interviewers what skills and experiences you will bring to the company and how you plan to add value. Once you’re clear on these components, confidence begins to build. From there, you can craft a “five-minute speech” that people will genuinely enjoy listening to. Now comes the practice. Memorize this speech at home until it becomes second nature. “After five practice sessions, your words will likely still sound awkward, after ten, they might still seem memorized, but by the 20th time, your delivery will start to sound more relaxed, and after 50 times, your words will come across as authentic and convincing to your audience.”
Practice pays off, as all successful speakers know. 😉
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