4 Interview Day Preparations

A beautiful sunrise over Dallas, Texas. Let the sun rise on your career on your job interview day!

The arrival of a job interview day brings on a mixture of excitement and nerves. For many of us, this could be a life changing day. As a result, the importance of performing well on this day is paramount and making a well prepared strategy is in order.

If you have already gone through the preparation steps for a job interview explained in 6 Immediate Steps After Receiving An Interview Call, you have won half the battle already. Yet, there are more things to be taken care of, on the interview day itself, as part of that strategy.

1. The Night Before

Actually, the interview day preparations start on the night before. Hopefully, you have stacked all your papers together and your formal clothes are ready. It is very natural to be a little nervous, and that is all the more reason for you to go to sleep early after carefully setting your morning alarms (set more than one, if possible). I would strongly advise against consuming any alcoholic beverage on the night before your interview to calm down jittery nerves. You don’t want to wake up with a hangover on your important day. Plus, bags under your eyes won’t speak well of you to the interview panel. Similarly, avoid fatty foods or foods that give you acidity or heartburn. Tossing and turning all night would adversely affect your performance the next day.

What I do always recommend, to do the night before, is to read or watch any motivational material at your disposal before going to sleep. You will find it very uplifting and bring you in the proper mindset for the next day apart from calming your nerves. There is tons of such material available in the forms of books, TV programs or on the internet on YouTube (I have some clips shortlisted here for you – Lift Up Your Spirits).

2. It’s Important To Eat Properly On The Interview Morning

Many people have mentioned to me how they “could not bring themselves to grab even a bite” on the day of their interview. Nothing could be more damaging to your alertness and energy level than a lack of a proper meal on this day. It is understandable that you might not have an appetite because of nerves, but you might have to force yourself to eat at least enough. This is where mom has always been right to make sure you eat before you set your foot out of the home.

The obvious reason here is that without proper nutrition, your energy level would deplete and your mind won’t come up with sharp answers to the unforeseen questions asked by the panel. Also make sure to eat healthy like mentioned in the previous step so as not to get heartburn or nausea.

3. Water And Lozenges

I have always carried a bottle of water and a few lozenges whenever I have to go to a meeting. There are two very good reasons for that. First, sipping water at regular intervals keeps you calm apart from keeping you hydrated resulting in less tiredness and stress. You might have also noticed a universal reaction of people offering some water to help someone who is overcome with anxiety. On the day of your job interview, it will help to keep your nervousness in check.

Second, I have felt that stress makes one’s voice croak and broken, resulting in giving an impression of a lack of confidence. Lozenges and water keep your throat cool and wet so your eloquence may come out when you are facing the interviewer. But please make sure to chew and finish anything in your mouth before you enter the interview room.

4. Arrive Early – Observe Others – Avoid Being An Object Of Attention

Consider this. You were sloppy in your preparations for the important day. You got up late on your job interview day morning because you decided to toss back some scotch and watch a re-run of ‘The Terminator’ at a late hour the previous night. Also, there is at least one mismatched item in your clothing and you huffed in 15 minutes behind schedule at your destination. As soon as you enter the waiting area, you see eight or nine other candidates (or staff) already there and they all look up at you like an alien has landed from Zytonia. Your confidence hits a nadir. You are actually starting to say goodbye to your chances of getting this job.

To avoid the dark scenario described above, you have to follow all the timely steps and make sure to reach your venue at least 20-30 minutes early. Why that much time? Simply because it gives you time to settle down and take in the surroundings. Your nerves settle down and you can arrange your thoughts. Plus, I have always found it much comfortable to arrive early and observe others arriving later or late. That would prevent you from being an object of attention and help you maintain the much needed composure.

We’ll discuss what happens in the interview room another place. In the meantime, good luck!