3 steps to prepare for an interview or job interview

We are nervous before the interview. Sometimes so much that we literally lose our temper. Because of this, the brain begins to think poorly, and the appearance clearly betrays our panic state.

What preparation for an interview consists of, how to make a good impression and what to do so that the excitement does not become stronger than we were told by the founder of the network of Schools of Communications and Arts “MDV”, a coach in public speaking and effective communications Dmitry Mezentsev.

Step 1. Learn all about the company and study your interlocutor

A step that is so often overlooked, but which can give you the key to a positive decision. You need to find out as much as possible about the second side at the interview.

First, information about the company. Study not only the official website, but also competitors, critics, consumer and employee reviews. What are the main and additional activities of the company? When was it formed and what is its mission? What place does it occupy in the market? Who is its leader?

So, if the company is building with sustainable materials, you can study this topic in advance and show your interest in safety and environmental concerns.

Secondly, information about the interlocutor. Finding out something about a person is not so difficult now. People talk about themselves, go out into the public field through social networks, pages on the organization's website and personal blogs.

Learn literally everything that is possible: from the name and position to your favorite color or food preferences. So you can build a whole strategy for influencing the feelings and thoughts of the interlocutor.

It may turn out that you once lived in neighboring areas or studied at the same university. Such discoveries are often the beginning of good relationships. Or, knowing the interlocutor's favorite color, you can add it to your image, if it is appropriate.

Step 2. Think over your image and demeanor

Everything is important in an interview: appearance, clothes, environment, room. Even the way you sit: upright, on the side of a table, on the edge of a chair, etc.

Here are a few details that will help you "get used to the role" of a confident person:

1. Point the body slightly at the interlocutor. The points of the shoulders, face and toes of the fingers should look at the one with whom you are communicating.
2. Never keep your hands under the table. This creates a sense of stealth, as if you want to hide.
3. The neck, neck-collar and shoulders area should be relaxed.
4. Listen to the interlocutor with interest, with an open look, periodically raising your eyebrows and nodding.
5. Lips should not be tightly closed: this way a person looks pinched and tense.

When we look relaxed and confident, we create a pleasant impression on the interlocutor, he produces the hormone oxytocin, the action of which affects decision making.

Find out in advance in what format the interview will take place: a conversation, testing, questions on specialization, etc. Take an interest in the dress code of the company and create a suitable image: it can be a formal suit, a shirt, and a sweater. The main thing is to match the style of the employees of a particular organization.

You need to speak clearly, through pauses, calmly and loudly. Try not to procrastinate, not to speak “under your breath” or indistinctly. The interlocutor will have to ask you again, strain your hearing in order to understand all the words. Ultimately, this causes irritation.

Think about your surroundings in advance. Nothing should distract you. The situation when children repeatedly run in to you, when the sounds of a game console come from the next room, and from the kitchen - a working meat grinder, it may give the impression that you have not prepared for the interview and are not serious about things.

If the interview takes place online, there should be neutral interior items in sight. No personal hygiene items, children's toys and food. Even while at home, you can create the impression of a working environment.

Step 3. Activate your mind for productive work

When we go to a job interview or an interview, we get nervous, there is a release of cortisol and adrenaline. We are tense: there is a bodily clamp, because of which the cognitive functions of the brain suffer: attention and memory.

There is no escape from excitement, this is a normal reaction of the body to something unknown and frightening. So the words “don't worry, pull yourself together” won't help on their own.

First of all, you need to remove the muscle clamp. To do this, you can strain and relax your muscles: do physical exercises, jump.

You can also do breathing exercises and practices, but even if this is not possible, just take a deep breath, concentrate, feel the breath without being distracted.

When the stress level decreases, the brain is filled with oxygen, you will feel the very mood - thinking is activated. At the same time, the excitement may remain, but it will no longer be so strong as to absorb all your attention.