How To Appear Confident In A Job Interview Even When You Are Not

By Lilian Wamaitha
How many interviews have you attended without getting a job?
You probably play the scenarios over and over again in your head wondering what you did wrong. Was it your choice of dressing, the way you answered the question or may be the way you sat.
You can’t figure out what went wrong because let’s face it, you would not have been shortlisted for the interview if you were not qualified for the job in the first place.
A lot goes on from the moment you step into that interview room to the time you are confident that you will be offered the job, says Esther Kamau, a profession interview coach.
It’s one thing to revamp your CV, go through the possible questions and answers you may be asked and another thing all together to say that you nailed that interview.
It’s all about the confidence and it’s what gives you a win at the end of the day.
But we all know that interviews are nerve wrecking so how are you supposed to depict confidence to the extent that you end up getting the job?
1. Prepare as thoroughly as possible
Even before you step into that interview room, you will feel more confident if you have gone through everything from the job description to knowing all you can about the company.
While you have the time, spend as much time as you can researching who your employer is and the industry at large.
Look at what skills, experience and qualities the job description is asking for then think of examples of how you demonstrate them.
80% of what you are going to be asked in an interview will come from the job description, adds Esther.
Practice for the possible interview questions and answers over and over again. And when I say practice, I mean write down possible interview answers and then say them out loud multiple times.
If you can set up for a mock interview, the better prepared you will be to handle any question that is thrown at you.
2. Visualize success
I know this may sound like a cliché but when you think about it, you are able to cultivate confidence when you can visualize yourself passing that interview.
Imagine yourself walking into that interview room, shaking hands confidently with the interviewer, developing a rapport and answering each and every question with conviction.
Positive visualization is a great way to boost your self-esteem hence helping calm interview nerves.
You will find that rather than behaving like a robot who only answers questions they are asked, you will be able to engage with the recruiter hence bringing out your personality better.
3. Aim to engage, not impress
Saying the right things in an interview is just as important as creating a connection with the recruiter.
In an interview, you want to come out as likeable rather than arrogant, so rather than singing your own praises, why don’t you work on creating a rapport with the interviewer?
“If the interviewer feels at ease with you, they are more likely to think of your as confident and if you feel like you are getting along just fine with them, the more confident you will be of yourself,” she advice.
Quickly See This >>> 5 Tips On How To Prepare For An Interview
4. Get it right with your body language
Has it ever occurred to you that communication is more than what you say?
Body language accounts for 60% of our communication and it should not just be something you employ in public speaking avenues but interviews as well.
Your body language even in an interview should match what you are saying.
Don’t just sit there; answering questions but engage them through your body language as well.
Adopt an open posture, maintain eye contact with the person interviewing you and don’t fidget. And if you find it difficult to keep your hands still, try holding them folded in your lap.
5. Finally, hit the breaks
Whenever you find your nerves getting the better of you during an interview, take a deep breath and pause.
Often times, we find ourselves rumbling on and on because we are not very confident or we never prepared for the interview.
When this happens all you are telling the interviewer is that they should move on to the next candidate.
If it helps, try and answer questions with only one idea in your mind to avoid going off track. The key here is to maintain a sincere tone in such a way that even if your answers are brief; they don’t come across as such.
But what if you don’t say enough? Don’t worry. If the interviewer wants to know more, they will ask you to elaborate your answer.
It now up to you
It is my hope that this guide will help you gain the confidence you need to nail that next interview.
However, as you know before you get that interview you will need a top notch CV that sells you to the employer in the right way. So why not let us tailor make your CV showcasing your strengths and what you are offering the employers. Find out more about this.
Lilian is a Communication Officer at Career Point Kenya? Do you have any questions regarding interview preparation? Email them to lilian@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke or follow this link.