“New Job Blues ... Now What?”
Even if you were the perfect candidate, landed the job of your dreams, and had a great start to your new employment — sometimes it just doesn't work out. Why? Chances are you made one of these mistakes. Read this quick listicle (that's a blog post in list form) to avoid making these common errors on your next job hunt.
If you're a new (or newish) candidate, you really want to nail this interview. You've practiced, you're well-prepared, and your resume is perfect (at least you think so) — those are all great things to have going into your interview. But what's even better than those things is having one of these 9 confidence boosting things that occur naturally when you go into an interview and perform well . Those types of actions will come across in your body language, speech patterns, and overall confidence level. If you're truly feeling confident (instead of just going through the motions), that shows in your body language and voice inflections. A few things that show you're being genuine and confident (instead of just being cocky or reading from scripted answers) include:
* Fidgeting – It's okay if you have a nervous tic like tapping your foot under the table or scratching your head. Even better is to let out a polite cough to break up your monotony. The interviewer will see it as an indication that they're making you uncomfortable, which is exactly what they want.
* Staring – If the interviewer asks a question, look them in their eyes and then answer immediately, as if you were listening to . This shows confidence and allows the interviewer to get more out of their question.
* Tone – If you want to show confidence, do it in a fun way. Ask questions like "What's the craziest thing you've ever done?" or "How long have you worked here?" When asking them, make sure your tone is light and playful — trust us, they'll love it!
* Wear clothes that are a touch tighter than what you normally would wear. It shows off your curves (if you're into that) and makes sure that everyone notices how well-dressed you are (and not just for the interview).
* Don't be afraid to speak up if the conversation seems to be going in a direction unfavorable to you. Sometimes they want to see how you react when things don't go your way. Be the one who steers the conversation back to where you want it to be!
* Don't fidget, cross your arms, or touch your hair if you don't have to. It's okay if a strand falls in front of your face — just blow it out of the way and get back into position.
* If they ask if you have any questions, the worst thing you can do is say "No." The best thing you can do is ask a question that gets them talking about something other than the job. For example, don't ask about vacation time or pay — those are things your recruiter will cover as part of the actual job description. Instead, ask about how they landed their current position or what their greatest accomplishment here was. That will give them a chance to talk about themselves, which is always good!
* Always be polite and pleasant to be around — even if you're not feeling it inside. Smile (even if it feels fake), shake hands firmly, and answer questions with a slight nod of your head for confirmation.
* This is probably the most important thing — if you nail it, you'll be sure to land the job. Ask them if they have any reservations about hiring you. They'll be expecting questions about salary and benefits, and that's a good thing. If things go well during the interview, they might not even have time to bring these up in the actual negotiation phase!
* You can ask them if there was anything else they'd like to know. Simply follow that question with "What did I do well today?" or "Is there anything else I can do to make myself a better candidate?" These are great questions because they show you're interested in the position and that you're willing to do whatever it takes to get it.
* Finally, if you want to seal the deal, get it on tape. Record your interview and keep the recording with you for reference whenever you feel worried about not being chosen again. If an interviewer says something on the record that shows they don't agree with your candidacy, they can't turn around and say that off-the-record to the hiring manager.
Remember, it's all about confidence. When you think of qualities of a confident person, what comes to mind? Maybe you think of people who are self-assured and sure of themselves in situations (like getting a job interview or speaking at a campus presentation).