Creating a Stress-Free Interview

In this article, we explore different ways to reduce the stress associated with important interviews.

Job interviews are one of the most stressful things that can be encountered. For a passive job seeker, one who already has a job and isn't very interested in changing positions, an interview may be relatively calm since there is much less at stake. However, the active job seeker, one who is unemployed and looking for work or someone seeking to change positions, everything rests on an interview. Many people spend hours pouring over their resumes, preparing answers, and assembling a portfolio only to get tripped up by small issues the day of the interview. Time-management and preparing for small logistical details will go a long way to reduce the stress associated with an interview. 

• What to wear: Dressing professionally for any position is essential to have a successful interview. Even in the cases where it is known the office practices a casual dress code, dressing professionally is always a better idea. Preparing and cleaning professional attire several days or the day before the interview will help alleviate the stress of choosing appropriate interviewing attire on the day of the interview.
• Getting ready: As with clothing, it is important to look professional. Appropriate hair styles, appropriate shades and amounts of makeup, appropriate facial hair (shaven or properly trimmed), and general hygiene are all important. For those whose appearance takes longer than others, determining the hair style, make up, and the hygiene products the day before will help reduce the stress of the interview day.
• Getting to the interview: Getting to the interview has the potential to be the most stressful aspect before an interview. It is important to have clear directions before leaving to go to an interview. Online programs can provide detailed and accurate maps, and many companies offer directions on their websites. If these directions can not be found the interviewee should call their contact number at the organization to obtain directions. It is also critical to allow sufficient time to arrive at the interview. While it is inadvisable to arrive too early, providing sufficient time for traffic delays, unfavorable traffic lights, and missed turns is a good step to prevent a last-minute crisis adding to the stress level of an interview.
• Before the interview: There are two things that many people often have that can be disastrous in an interview, gum and cell phones. Chewing gum is unprofessional and unflattering, and while having fresh breath is important to an interview, chewing gum is unacceptable. A cell phone that rings or vibrates during an interview incredibly disrespectful. Turning off a cell phone before an interview is crucial.
  

While it is impossible to completely remove stress from an interview, eliminating the stress created by the previous factors will go a long way in reducing the stress. Of course adequate preparation is essential to a successful interview. Those seeking their dream jobs should ensure that they have the necessary experience and appropriate degree before seeking these dream positions.

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