So the economy is picking back up, right? And everything is going to be just fine. Shut up. I said it’s going to be fine.
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But many peeps are still out of work or stuck in jobs they freakin’ hate but can’t leave until they find something else. Either way, lots of us are going to have to face the dreaded job interview.
I have to say my own resumé isn’t too bad, but whenever I’ve had to face a prospective employer – and I mean every time – I’ve bit it, babbling nervously and forgetting the question.
Maybe part of the reason I’m a freelance writer is that I’ve never made it past the interrogation.
You gotta relax and… visualize the interviewer as a puppy?
What the experts say
“Prepare for difficult questions beforehand. Typically, you’ll get a ‘How do you deal with conflict?’ and a ‘What is your greatest weakness?’ question. They’re looking for you to have insight into your character. Be honest about your weaknesses and show you’ve tried to remedy them and that you’re open to learning. You need to breathe. If you’re not breathing, chances are you’ll be saying ‘um’ a lot, speaking too quickly or pulling a blank. Put your hands on your rib cage and breathe wide, expanding the rib cage horizontally [not during the interview]. Sometimes the interviewer is as nervous as you are because he or she is under pressure to hire the right person.”
LIZ RADZICK, founder, Manifest Consulting, Toronto
“Anxiety is heightened when people know they’re going to be evaluated. The interviewer may be asking you questions, but your mind is jumping ahead to your next response or focusing on non-relevant aspects of the communication. You need to calm yourself and focus. The best way to do that is to practise. Set up a mock interview with somebody you know. If you go through the actual process, it’s astounding what you can learn. You and the person doing the interview should wear a suit. I recommend that you record it, then watch it.”
JULIE McCARTHY, professor, University of Toronto, Joseph L. Rotman School of Management
“The most important thing is to get away from stimulants. They get your adrenal glands going, get your nervous system up and make you shaky. Have a green tea instead of coffee in the morning and a really good breakfast, high in protein. That keeps your focus and energy, and you’ll be able to concentrate. Bach Flower Rescue Remedy, in spray, drops or lozenges, is safe to use when feeling anxious. Camomile tea won’t make you sleepy, but it will calm your nervous system.”
CARRIE WATKINS, naturopath, Toronto
“Beforehand, visualize being relaxed, like when you’re on a beach. Then anchor your visualization by creating a connection, maybe touching the thumb and index finger of your right hand. Do this over and over again, then, during the interview, do it to bring the feeling back. Beforehand, remember a time when you felt good about yourself. Picture the atmosphere as friendly or visualize the interviewer as a child or a puppy. If you can grab the interviewer’s attention, a sort of subtle hypnosis can occur. You can affect what the interviewer thinks about you through body language, breathing and the way you speak, and develop a connection. Converse rather than trying to present what the interviewer is looking for.”
SUBANAN SATHIAN, hypnotherapist, behaviour coach, HypnosisWorks.org, Toronto
