Practical tips for a scheduled job interview

After receiving an invitation for a job interview, it is essential to prepare yourself for that and think in advance about different little things that can colour the whole interview experience. An interview itself can cause anxiety, nervousness, so make an effort to ease yourself and prevent anxiety about things that you can influence. Pay attention to details like this, especially if you are a beginner for whom these are the first steps in a professional career.

Coming to an interview

Information about the location and timing of an interview will generally be obtained during the first telephone call. Although most recruiters send the address with the correct information immediately after the call, if not, write down the address and number so that you do not get into the situation of not knowing where you need to appear. Make sure you remember the name of a person you are talking to so that you can give the person who welcomes you accurate information about it, as well as the position you applied for.

If you are unfamiliar with this part of the city, be sure to take a few minutes to investigate where the correct street is and the number on the map. Google maps is a very useful service that can help you find the correct addresses.

Make sure you get there 10 to 15 minutes earlier to get more relaxed and mentally prepared for the conversation that will follow. Also, this extra time can be beneficial in situations where you fail to find a location for the first time and then you will be very grateful to yourself for starting early. Be sure to consider both traffic and the fact that there may be traffic jam in the city if it is raining or if there are road works diverting traffic to the surrounding streets.

How to dress?

It is recommended that you come for an interview properly dressed, so-called “Business casual” dress code unless the situation and company require otherwise. Avoid over-the-top and loose things like sweatshirts and hoodies, and also, big neckline, shorts, short skirts/dresses, are not recommended. Sneakers and slippers or open-toed sandals are shoes that should be avoided when dressing for a job interview. The list of things that you should avoid that day includes striking jewelry and heavy perfumes.

Fighting the stage fright

Insomnia before an interview or stage fright and nervousness are often an integral part of a job interview, especially if you are a beginner to whom this is one of the first interviews. Therefore, it is important to prepare yourself and do mental preparation. If you generally have anxiety about important events, visualizing a positive outcome can be of great help to you in such situations. Try to think in detail about the whole interview situation, the questions the interviewer will ask you, as well as your answers. Focus on a positive outcome and give each question a detailed answer that best describes you as a person as well as your experience. There are a couple of other psychological techniques that can help you combat anxiety, and you can read more about them here.

Although the competition for the job is often high, thorough preparation for an interview can save you unnecessary annoyance and increase your chances of getting a job. Searching for a job is a job in itself, and it can sometimes be very exhausting, arduous and difficult, but it is very important that you persist in the search and be motivated because in the end there might be a job that you dreamed of when you first opened a page with job ads.