By Tabinda Nayyar Siddiqui

In a competitive job market, it can be pretty hard to land an interview. When you manage to get one, it is important to make the most of this opportunity. This is your chance to shine. You are excited yet nervous; how do you overcome this?

You know you have got the right set of skills and qualification for the job but acing the interview still seems  quite a task. You feel nervous that you might say something wrong or make the wrong move. On the same note, it is okay to be a little nervous. A little nervousness can help you in anticipating events so that you can perform better.

Here are some of the ways to overcome this feeling of nervousness. Start practicing these tips to reduce feeling jittery during an interview

Don’t Just Wing It

Prepare and practice hard. Do your research about the company and the position you’re applying for, review your research, and practice answering all possible questions. Lack of preparation will make it harder for you to shine.

Make sure to read about the business, know things like its mission, values, CEOs name and services.

Remember, an interview is not just about your skills and experience. Capable interviewers will also be looking to assess your personal and professional fit.

Stay Positive

Don’t depress yourself by over thinking about what could possibly happen. Tell yourself that you are ready and you can do it. Offer 2 Rakat Salat-e-Hajjat and leave the rest to Allah. It is best if you focus on things that make you feel good, like your favourite music while driving or any upbeat Nasheed to raise your spirits.

Look up beat and be confident

Always remember that even if you can’t control the employer’s decisions, you can always control the way you look and the way you present yourself. They like your resume, your cover letter, or the impression you made on the first screening, and that’s why they called for an interview—you should always look smart and professional for that reason. Enthusiasm is good, but too much of it might lead him or her to not like you at all. Be confident enough and never act like you are desperate to get the job. Show professionalism by staying calm and composed.

Relax

Freshen up and try to arrive earlier than the scheduled time.

Before you enter the room, try doing some breathing exercises. Once the interview starts, remember to stay calm and collected. If you realize that you are talking too fast, slow down. Going slow is better than blurting out something you should not say at all.

Buy Some Time

Interviewers ask tough questions too, and you might have a hard time answering some of them. When this happens, don’t be afraid to say that you need a moment to think. Deal with these questions by thinking of ways you could tell something about your strengths. No matter how hard the question is, you shouldn’t let yourself get lost during the interview. Focus and make sure to leave a positive impression at the end of it.

A perfect job opportunity doesnt comes around that often, and you shouldnt let it go just because you feel nervous. If you know that you are well-prepared, you don’t have any reason to feel uneasy. Just be yourself and try to stay as positive, confident, and relaxed as you can.

Take heart. All the best!

About the author:

Tabinda Nayyar Siddiqui is an HRIS Data Analytics, Reporting, Data Conversion, Implementation and Maintenance professional, with an MPA in Human Resources. She is also working on getting her CHRP and CCP certifications.

Image: 123RF