To quell these natural responses and help you muster more confidence in anxious situations, consider these quick pre-interview confidence boosters so you can perform better right before your next job interview—no energy drinks or cheesy motivational speeches required!
Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist at Harvard Business School, talks about what people do while waiting for a job interview to start in a popular TEDGlobal presentation: “You're sitting down. You're looking at your iPhone or Android. You're looking at your notes."
This common waiting room behavior is not really ideal for maximizing your confidence right before an interview. Instead, the following activities will make you way more confident before meeting a potential boss.
1. Strike A Power Pose For Two Minutes
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According to Cuddy, rather than hunching up and making yourself small in the waiting room chair as you scramble to soak up last-minute notes or practice one final interview question, you should actually find a private place to do what Cuddy calls a power pose.
There are a few variations, but the Wonder Woman pose is easy to remember. So, 10 minutes before your interview, go somewhere private, like the bathroom, and strike a strong pose where you can take up as much space as possible. Hold your head high, plant your feet firmly, and place your hands on your hips or stretch your arms wide—whatever makes you feel strong and expansive.
2. Repeat A Positive Affirmation
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"Repeating a positive affirmation can reduce production of cortisol and stress hormones by almost 50%, slow the mind, lower your blood pressure and heart rate, and make you feel confident and powerful," says Kathleen Hall, founder and CEO of The Mindful Living Network and the Stress Institute.
Hall offers the following examples:
- I am confident in all things.
- I have unlimited potential.
- I am prepared and capable
- I am deserving of a fulfilling career
- I am excited about what lies ahead
Joyce Marter, psychotherapist and CEO of Urban Balance, would agree and suggests deep breathing while you recite a positive mantra in your head "using language you will want to use in the interview, such as 'I absolutely will succeed in this job if given the opportunity.'"
You might feel a little silly at first, but these words will help you emit a more positive appearance—and that sure beats a nervous one!
3. Read Over Nice Things People Have Said About You
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Thinking back to a time when you were successful and confident is a great way to recreate that confidence right before an interview. A quick and easy way to do this is to compile anything nice someone has said about you—perhaps creating a “confidence file” on your phone where you save positive feedback to revisit whenever you need a quick boost.
Read old letters of recommendation, LinkedIn endorsements, letters, or notes from colleagues or teachers that have boosted your confidence in the past. Remind yourself of the skills and qualities others have recognized in you, and let their words reinforce your self-belief.
If you're not really feeling this method, "quickly review your biggest accomplishments in your head before going into the interview," says Katherine Walker, founder and executive director of Lifetime Behavioral Health. "This trip down memory lane will instantly create a sense of confidence and serve to get your brain thinking about items the interviewer will no doubt ask you about." It's the best way to remind yourself that all of your previous experiences have helped shape you and prepare you to succeed in this job interview!
In addition to preparing your answers and researching the company, taking time to boost your confidence before the interview can make a huge difference. Strike a power pose, repeat a positive affirmation, and remind yourself of your past accomplishments. We hope these three tips will help you feel more confident during your next interview so you can land that dream job!
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