Confidence Tips?

*Beki*

I have an interview for a job next Friday which I am so excited about- it sounds like exactly what I want to progress to, and would open so many doors in the future as well.

However, I'm only 25, 2 years out of Uni and the job advert stated 5-10years experience preferable. They obviously thought I had something worth pursuing seeing as I have an interview, but I'm just very conscious that I will be up against all these older, more mature and experienced people!

I'm not massively confident, but I believe I do have the skills to do the job, and the enthusiasm and determination to learn anything new.

So does anyone have any tips or suggestions as to how I can project this at the interview without coming across as arrogant or desperate?

Thanks

Aryndeneth

It's never arrogant to be able to give good examples of things you can actually do. You aren't lying, boasting or claiming to be the best in the world at any particular thing just giving evidence that you possess skills the recruiter should be interested in.

Have a look this guide, especially Section 5 on how to answer interview questions. http://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/media/services/careersandemployabilitydivision/careersservice/crcpublications/startingpointseriesofhandouts/a4/Preparing-for-First-Interviews.pdf

Remember that the 5-10 years experience was only preferable, not essential. Length of time in a job isn't necessarily an accurate measure of how well someone does that job. As you've already said, they know the experience you have and want to interview you so you've already impressed them.

Good luck!

DCFC79

Good luck OP, its hard but do your best.

*Beki*

Thanks guys

I'll have a read of that link Aryndeneth- really useful!

joolsybools

I found this website really useful for ideas for how to answer interview questions http://careerconfidential.com/category/how-to-answer-interview-questions/

InsideInsurance

Do you want to be confident or appear confident - they are two very different things.

In terms of appearing confident.... one big one, talk about I/ ME etc rather than "we". So when asked "Given an example of when YOU...." you should be saying "I did x" or "I thought y" etc rather than "we did this and we thought that" etc. Even at senior job interviews I've known candidates being cut down about it with additional questions about what they personally had done.

Sit back in the chair for most of the time and dont fidget with your hands or feet, come forward when want to portray passion or excitement. Make eye contact with all of the people that are interviewing you frequently.

Make sure you have prepared a dozen or so questions to ask them. Some will be covered off during the initial talk so you'll end up asking 5 or so. Dont ask things like "how much holiday will I get" or "how longs lunch" but more constructive things like "what is the teams biggest challenges at the moment?" or "what will the first month look like for the successful candidate?". Ideally you want to ask them something that you are likely to add something more positive about yourself.... so with the first example a common response is about how they're overworked in which case you can add in how you've worked in high pressure teams and are good at time management/ shifting volumes of work etc.


How to actually be more confident is much more tricky.... personally I know that they are just normal people and no better than me. I do truly believe the interview is a two way process and I am deciding if they are right for me as much as they are deciding if Im right for them - more than once I've declined a role because I didnt want to work for that team/ person/ project

*Beki*

Thanks InsideInsurance! That's some really helpful suggestions, and exactly the sort of thing I meant- as well as actually being more confident, it's useful to know what can make you "appear" to be so, even if I'm shaking on the inside!

lama_pdx

Beki, you've received some good practical advice above.

Some tricks on how to appear more confident:

1. Shoulders back, head up. That really helps me!
2. Huge smile like you're really enjoying yourself and pleased to be there. Repeat people's names when you meet them, ask them what they do/their title or their department if they forget to tell you.
3. Be conscious of your voice. I naturally have kind of a high-pitched voice so I've had to train myself to speak at a lower pitch. It really does work.
4. Remember that you really are the best person for the job. You know how hard you'd work and how lucky they'd be to have you. If they're smart they'll realise that too.
5. Even if it doesn't work out, it's a chance to impress and get acquainted with some people in your field.

*Beki*

Thanks lama I really appreciate all the feedback.

The part about being conscious of your voice is especially true. I have to give a presentation as part of the interview, and i know that when I'm nervous I talk really fast! So I know I'll have to make a point of breathing and slowing down so that I'm coherent.

InsideInsurance

*Beki* wrote: »

i know that when I'm nervous I talk really fast!

In a similar vein, you dont need to start talking the very instant that they stop - short silences are perfectly fine. People who are nervous start to blurt out answers because they are scared that silence will be taken as not knowing the answer. People who are confident are comfortable giving it a few seconds thought before starting to talk.

There is some pop psychology on cat -v- dog people (not in which they prefer as pets) which is interesting to read and generally cat people come across as more confident/ senior etc (but also less caring etc) than dog people and so if you can mimic their mannerisms and body language people will see you in a similar light.

advanta

*Beki* wrote: »

I have an interview for a job next Friday which I am so excited about- it sounds like exactly what I want to progress to, and would open so many doors in the future as well.

However, I'm only 25, 2 years out of Uni and the job advert stated 5-10years experience preferable. They obviously thought I had something worth pursuing seeing as I have an interview, but I'm just very conscious that I will be up against all these older, more mature and experienced people!

I'm not massively confident, but I believe I do have the skills to do the job, and the enthusiasm and determination to learn anything new.

So does anyone have any tips or suggestions as to how I can project this at the interview without coming across as arrogant or desperate?

Thanks

In this situation when I was younger I had the same problem as you. I found it helpful to "act" the role of a highly confident young professional. You'd be amazed how many other apparently confident people are faking it - think about it and you'll understand pretty much everyone is neurotic and insecure.
Do this for a while and you'll find it becomes part of your natural character. In truth, the confident "you" is as much a part of you as your shy side, its just what you choose to show the world.