Page 150 - 101 Dynamite Answers to Interview Questions

Handle Yourself Nonverbally 143

to be asked and formulate your own questions based on information you
wish to acquire on the organization. Practice responding to likely ques-
tions - not by memorizing answers, but trying to talk through answers in
different ways to convey the “gist” or basic content.
Experience is the best teacher, so the more interviews you engage in
the better you will become and the more comfortable you will feel. Accept
opportunities to interview and critique yourself after each one. Learn from
your experience and you will do even better the next time. Leave yourself
plenty of time to get to the place of the interview. You do not need the
added stress of fearing you will be late because you misjudged the travel
time or got into an unexpected traffic tie-up tcl upset your nerves at the
last moment.

Project Composure

As you wait in the outer office to meet with the interviewer, channel your
nervous energy productively. Often there are materials about the com-
pany on a table along with other reading material. Pick up material about
the company and really read it - don’t
just pretend to. You may learn some- The more you can
thing about the organization you can
comment on or ask questions about in get your mind off
your interview. If nothing about the yourself and
company is available, pick up a business
magazine. Since you are already on concentrate on the
display, make your choice of reading other person, the
material a positive statement about you. more comfortable
You can better control your nervous-
ness by following advice often given to you will feel.
public speakers. As you walk into the
interview room, try to tale a few slow deep breaths. If you breathe from
your diaphragm, as you should, you can do this subtly so the interviewer
will be unaware of it. This should relax you a bit. Although it is easier said
than done, the more you can get your mind off yourself and concentrate
on the other person, the more comfortable you will feel. Try to be other-
directed. Rather than concentrate on your needs and fears, concern
yourself with the employer’s needs and questions.
The receptionist may direct you to the interviewer or the interviewer