How to Look Confident During an Interview?
The job interview is one of the critical stages you have to go through if you want to land your dream job.
It is natural to feel excited and nervous about the prospect. However, you must do your best to control your tension and anxiety. You should not allow your apprehensions to make you look uncertain or insecure.
How to show confidence during an interview?
You need to convince your interviewer that you can do the job well. You need to communicate to him that you have the skills, experience, and personality characteristics that he is looking for.
The best way to do this is to be confident during the interview. The following tips will help you make a positive, confident impression during an interview:
1. Dress appropriately.
Choose the right outfit. Knowing that you are dressed appropriately adds to your confidence. It helps you project poise, self-assurance, and confidence.
It is best to go for attires that come in neutral or classic colors, like black, beige, navy, white, or brown. Men can wear suits; women can go for skirt suits or pantsuits.
If the company seems to favor a more casual dress code, slacks and button-up shirts are appropriate clothing. If you have doubts, it is prudent to dress up in more formal attire.
2. Give a positive first impression with a firm handshake.
A firm handshake helps you start your interview on the right foot. It demonstrates confidence and experience. It demonstrates the right degree of poise and enthusiasm.
Wait for the interviewer to offer you his hand. Take his hand and shake it firmly while looking at the interviewer in the eye and offering a sincere smile.
Add a pleasant greeting. For instance, say “It is a great pleasure to meet you, Mr. Doe.”
Shake hands for about 3 to 5 seconds – about 2 or 3 pumps. See to it that your other hand remains visible and relaxed.
3. Maintain eye contact.
You project confidence when you maintain relaxed, natural eye contact during your interview. Do not make eye contact intense or long-drawn-out; this may make the person you are talking to feel uncomfortable. Occasionally look at your resume or any other reference material you have with you for the interview and then turn your attention back to the interviewer.
4. Let your body language reflect confidence.
Stand up or sit up straight. This has a strong impact on how your interviewer perceives you. It demonstrates that you are confident and at ease.
Do not slouch; this gives the impression that you feel tense or nervous. It also indicates a lack of energy or enthusiasm.
Keep your arms unfolded; your hands, relaxed. This stance conveys an open, affable, and gracious attitude. Lean forward a bit when you are deep in conversation with your interviewer. This posture shows that you are interested, focused, and engaged.
Try not to fidget. This is a telltale sign of nervousness. If you are prone to fidgety behavior, be mindful. Try to control behavior like hair twirling, table tapping, squirming, or leg shaking.
Some people are not aware that they have some of these nervous tendencies. Do several mock interviews with a friend so you can determine what fidgety habits you have and practice keeping them in control.
5. Use your voice to project confidence.
Use a clear and well-controlled voice to suggest interview confidence. Vary your pitch and tone; make sure that you don’t come across as too emotional or excited.
Do not answer immediately unless you are certain you can answer intelligently and with confidence. Take your time to fully understand the questions and to formulate well-thought-out responses. It is a mark of confidence to take your time to compose your thoughts and even to ask for clarifications.
Talk calmly and precisely. Do not ramble. Address the questions one point at a time.
6. Relax and be your best self.
When you really think about it, you would not have been invited to this interview if the company does not think that you show promise.
You are here because the recruitment personnel went through your CV and found it impressive enough to warrant an interview invitation. They like what they have seen. Use this knowledge to fuel your confidence. Relax and use the interview to further impress them.
Things to avoid so you don’t appear too cocky during the interview.
You want to be confident during the interview. You want to impress the interviewer with your poise, enthusiasm, and self-confidence. On the other hand, you don’t want to go overboard and appear too cocky.
Here are some things you should avoid, so you don’t turn to give the impression of being smug and arrogant:
1. Don’t dominate the conversation.
Interviewers are not likely to be impressed by an applicant who takes over the interview by talking non-stop and carrying out a monologue.
If you have a naturally strong and talkative personality, try not to dominate the conversation. Develop a curious mindset; look at things from the point of view of the company.
What does the interviewer want to know about you? Listen to what is asked attentively. Answer responsively. By being mindful, you stand a good chance of making the interview a dialogue instead of a monologue.
2. Don’t dodge the “greatest failure or weakness” question.
An interviewer wants to find out if you have a deep level of understanding relative to your strengths and weaknesses. If they ask you what you think your greatest failure or weakness is, show that you have the necessary confidence to admit to your shortcomings – and the readiness to work through them.
By answering this question with self-insight, you show that you are intelligent and mature. You know your limitations. You are willing to improve on them.
When you dodge the question or give a cliché answer (“My greatest mistake is that I am too ambitious and hard-working.”), you give the impression that you either lack self-knowledge or are too arrogant to own up to your weaknesses.
3. Don’t take all the credit for achievements.
Companies usually look for team players. When you are asked about your achievements, make sure that you give credit where it is due. Discuss your contributions but also acknowledge your team where applicable.
4. Don’t answer a text or call when you are in the middle of an interview.
Turn off your cell phone when you report for an interview. Checking your messages, answering a text or call is rude, disrespectful, and arrogant. It is a guaranteed way to mess up your job interview and lose favor with the interviewer.
Summary
Do not rebuke yourself if you feel nervous before an interview. It is natural to feel a bit tense.
Follow the tips outlined for you and you will feel and look more confident during your interview.
1. Dress appropriately.
2. Give a positive first impression with a firm handshake.
3. Maintain eye contact.
4. Let your body language reflect confidence.
5. Use your voice to project confidence.
6. Relax and be your best self.
Although you want to exude interview confidence, you don’t want to give the wrong impression of being too cocky. Remember the following tips:
1. Don’t dominate the conversation.
2. Don’t dodge the “greatest failure or weakness” question.
3. Don’t take all the credit for achievements.
4. Don’t answer a text or call when you are in the middle of an interview
Lastly, keep in mind that you are there for the interview because the company is interested in you. Be confident during the interview and let your real self shine.
