Any first interview brings the potential for jitters — no matter the position or your experience level. The world of STEM is no different. As displaying a confident air is vital for earning a second interview and potentially a job, it is important to manage any pre-interview nervousness.
3 Effective Strategies to Help You Overcome Your First Interview Jitters
Spend Time in Preparation for the Interview
Leverage any nervous energy before an interview by spending the time in preparation. Research all you can find out about the company, and use that knowledge to ask meaningful questions when called upon. Go over your own résumé and be sure to analyze your previous job performance, technology skill set, and any quantifiable achievements that display your value to a potential new employer.
This preparation gives you less time to be nervous before an interview, while having this valuable information ready to go allows you to think on your feet when actually on the “hot seat.”
Practice the Interview if Possible
If you have a friend or significant other willing to help out, take the time to actually practice your interview. Just going through the motions helps to lessen any nervousness and gives you a chance to rehearse any answers before doing it for real. More practice equals more confidence equals a better interview performance.
Remain Calm and Dress Sharply
It is important to remain calm and clear-headed during the interview. Breathe deeply! The fact that you took the time to dress sharply with a professional appearance gives you more confidence, which helps to manage any stress or nervousness. Listen attentively to the interviewer and be sure to ask those meaningful, well-researched, and well-practiced questions when given the opportunity.
If you need any further advice on interview preparation and résumé authoring before beginning a job search, talk to the STEM experts at Scientific Search. As one of the top STEM staffing agencies on the East Coast, we have the knowledgeable and experienced recruiters to help ensure your first, second, or fifth interview all go off without a hitch. A meeting with Scientific Search puts your career on a path to success!
