Is there a topic or question you would like to totally avoid in a job interview? What if you could use this dreaded subject matter to your benefit, even if it never comes up? Listen up and prepare yourself.
Why do we feel anxious before going into a job interview?
What makes interviews so scary? If there were a way to ease some of the stress of doing job interviews, would you be interested in hearing about it?
If so, you are in luck! I have a suggestion for you. This may not eliminate all the stress of doing job interviews. But it will allow you to replace a big chunk of the stress with confidence.
Of course, if you have a strong job search strategy, you have a methodology for doing interviews.
But, no matter how well you have mapped out your job search strategy, there are always those questions you hope the interviewer just won’t ask.
These dreaded questions are a big part of the fear and anxiety that arises when it comes to job interviews.
We may find it difficult to stay focused on the questions that are being asked sometimes, simply because we are anticipating the ones we fear.
There is a way to put this fear and anxiety to rest. It requires just a few steps, but it will make a world of difference in your energy and demeanor for all your job interviews.
Here are the steps:
- Brainstorm to come up with the most dreaded questions you could get in an interview.
- Assume those questions will be asked, and write down your best responses.
- Take some time to ponder, study, refine and remember the responses you come up with. You may want to practice saying them aloud, alone or in a mock interview with a friend.
Once you have mastered your responses, you can stop dreading the questions.
This will have you going into the interview with more confidence and less anxiety. You will be fully prepared for the worst.
Even if the questions are not asked, you have avoided carrying that fear and stress into the interview.
When you take the time to prepare in this way, you will make a better impression, whether the dreaded questions are asked or not.