How to be Confident in Job Interviews

Let’s face it. Interviews are scary. They’re stressful and nerve-wracking, especially if you’ve not interviewed in a long time. Many people struggle with confidence in interviews. And unfortunately, a lack of confidence is a deal breaker for many employers. 

If this sounds like you, don’t fret. Many coaching clients ask me how to be more confident in job interviews. You can address this before your next interview.  

So, how can you be confident in interviews? The answer is simple: preparation! Here are some tips for preparing for an interview and ensuring that when it comes time for you to shine, you’ll have everything you need to ace it.

How to be more confident in job interviews

Have a strategy

First, have a strategy. Know your career goals, and does this company help you achieve them? If not, why would you want to work there? Also, understand what issues may arise in the interview process and have a story ready for them. 

Remember that the interviewer is always looking for reasons not to hire you, so be prepared for the questions they may ask about your weaknesses and know how to answer them positively.

Know what you can offer this company. Make sure that it’s clear how your skills can benefit an employer.  Think of potential or current projects where you’ve already put those skills into play or ones that align with their interests and needs as outlined by their website research or job listing itself (if available).

Most importantly, know what you’re trying to accomplish with the interview.   

• Are you meeting with a recruiter?   You need to sell your overall fit for the role.
• Are you meeting with a hiring manager?   You must show them you’re the best cultural add for their job.  
• Are you meeting with a panel of stakeholders?   You need to understand each of their needs.   

A strategy for each interview round will pay off in your job search.   

READ: 5 Common Mistakes You Want To Avoid In Your Job Search

Improve your interview skills

To prepare for an interview, it’s essential to practice. You can practice answering questions with a friend or family member or even record yourself and watch it later. A professional interviewer can also help you prepare by giving you feedback on how you came across during a mock interview. 

If possible, try getting an in-person practice session with a job coach or career counselor who specializes in helping people with their interviewing skills. This will help ensure you’re prepared when it comes time for the real thing! 

Finally, don’t obsess over rehearsing your answers. You’ll never be able to prepare for every possible question.  And frankly, you’ll drive yourself nuts trying to.  There are systems you can follow to help with interview recall.  

Remember, it’s better to be well-practiced…but not well-rehearsed.  (What happens if you forget your lines?)

Study the job description

If you want to be more confident in your interview, study the job description. Read it carefully, particularly to the company’s goals and what they’re looking for in a candidate. What are they expecting? How can you contribute to those goals?

When familiar with the role, you’ll be more confident about selling yourself as a good fit.  

And knowing the job description will help you determine what you need to prepare for and any problem areas.  

Know who your interviewers are

Research your interviewer(s) so that you can be familiar with their background and achievements—this will help you relate naturally during the conversation by asking relevant questions about their work history, interests, etc., instead of just regurgitating facts from the internet.

Prepare!

Plan on arriving early. You don’t want your first impression to be of you running late.  And besides, there’s no worse way to start your interview than by rushing in while the interview team is waiting.  

Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to find parking and check in. Ensure your name is correctly spelled when checking in at the front desk. This shows that you took the time to review basic details about the interview and your interviewer.

If it’s a virtual interview, the same basic rules apply.  You must have a stable internet connection when applying for jobs over the Internet or conducting interviews via Skype or Google Hangouts. 

Don’t wait until 5 mins before the interview to test the link. You may be forced to download an update, leaving you no time to troubleshoot. (Not the best way to make a confident first impression!)  

Just in case, it might not hurt to have a few copies of your resumes handy.   

LEARN: How To Write A Recruiter-Approved Resume!

LEARN: How To Ace Your Interview!

Ask questions early on.

Asking questions shows you’re engaged in the role and have a clear direction you’re heading in.  It shows you’re higher value.  

When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, make sure you have a few prepared. Your questions should be relevant to the position and will help you understand what it’s like to work there. 

WATCH: Examples of questions you should ask in your interview  

The key is to ask questions early in the interview rather than at the end.  Because if you wait until the end, you can’t use the answers to your advantage.  Remember, we always want to sell why we’re the best fit for the job!   

Reach out to previous employees

Want to feel confident you know what the job is all about?  Try talking to someone who used to work in that exact role!  Ask for an informational interview or if they would recommend the job if you’re short on time.  If you hit it off, and they left in good standing, ask if they’d be willing to refer you for a job there. 

Be prepared to discuss why this organization would be a good fit for you and what skills/experiences make you a great candidate.

Be sure to ask what their interview process was like when they got hired!  And while you’re at it, ask about some of the department’s current challenges.  You may learn a thing or two that can impress the interview team.  

Reference Glassdoor for interview questions

Another tip to be more confident is to reference Glassdoor.

If you’re unsure what your interviewer is looking for, look at Glassdoor’s list of the most common interview questions. The site aggregates this information from its users, who are anonymous and, therefore, likely to be honest about their experiences. 

This can give you a sense of what they want to know and how they want it answered. You’ll also be able to see what other applicants had to say about these same questions, so as a bonus, your answers won’t sound completely original!

While you’re on Glassdoor, you can also check out info on their pay ranges (another important topic!), benefits and overall reviews.  Start doing so now if you’re not using this tool in your interview prep.

Dress appropriately for the interview

This may seem obvious, but make sure you know the expected dress code for your job interview.  Suits and formal wear are not usually expected (unless you’re in a traditional market like banking).  

When in doubt, ask your recruiter what the expected code is. I have normally worn dressed-up business casual to interviews.  But if you’re interviewing in a plant setting, it may not be appropriate.  

I once worked in a plant setting where if you showed up with a suit/tie, it was looked down upon.  Ties can get caught in machinery, and it doesn’t fit in with the culture.  

Being under or overdressed can make you self-conscious.  You have enough on your plate to worry about that!   So dressing appropriately can help give you the confidence you need to do well on your interview.     

Improve your confidence in job interviews

Preparing and being confident in yourself is key to a successful interview. You will never know everything about the job, but you can always learn more. If there are any questions that you don’t feel comfortable answering, then ask them! If you studied hard enough, you should have no problem answering questions during an interview. 

So that’s how to be more confident in job interviews.

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Are you struggling in your job search and not getting many interviews? Your resume may be the problem. Don’t let another application go unnoticed.

Learn How To Write A Recruiter-Approved Resume!