Defog your brain

Having checklist helps job seekers keep mind alert during interview

Your heart is thumping, and a misty fog makes it hard to see and navigate. This can cause you to run into trouble since you don’t have a clear path ahead.

We’re not discussing your driving or walking activities here. Instead, we’re talking about a job interview — and unfortunately, many job seekers enter that important process with a “fog” in their mind.

Keeping your mind focused can be a hard thing when you’re being asked questions or you’re asked to talk about yourself.

The fear of the unknown, the desire to appear calm when you’re nervous and perhaps the fact you really want this job each add to your stress levels. No matter how hard you try, it’s possible to clam up and get fuzzy-headed once the interview begins.

An excellent tool to keep you focused is to create a list — jot down short notes to reminding yourself what you’d like convey to the interviewer.

Your skill sets, experiences and capabilities are important elements you want to be sure have a chance to be explored. Be sure to match your skill sets to the job for which you’re applying.

Keep in mind that, in the hiring manager’s mind, you’re not being interviewed for a job — you’re there to prove you can be a positive contributor to the organization. Your short list of reminders to yourself should address how you can make their work place better for other team members and the company’s customers.

Some people are concerned that writing down a list of important things to remember during an interview might appear unprofessional. In reality, it is very professional for you to prepare for the interview, and to bring a list of things you want to remember to say and questions you want to ask the interviewer. Gaining an interview is very valuable, and you want to make the most out of your time with the hiring manager.

Another thing to remember is that being nervous isn’t all bad.

Mentally preparing yourself as mentioned above and having your adrenalin flowing can be good: Adrenaline is one way our body works for us and prepares us to be alert.

At the same time, you need to be sure to have a dose of confidence. Remember, if you’re being interviewed it means that there was something on your resume — either in your experience or skill sets or both — that interested them. You’re there because you have a desire for work and they have a need for a solid contributor. Prove to them you’re the perfect solution.

If you have a well-thought-out list of points you want to cover during the interview and intelligent questions to ask, and knowing you have a lot to offer, you might even begin to feel sorry for all the other applicants out there. Be prepared — and good luck!

— Gary Moore is president of Insight Edge. He has more than 30 years of business experience and specializes in the Personality Priority hiring process, sales and leadership training.Visit Moore’s website, www.insightedge.com, or send email to garymoore@ insightedge.com.

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