3 Tips for Overcoming Shyness in a Job Interview

When you’re shy, the idea of an interview can feel terrifying. But they are an essential part of the job search, so there are some things you can do to better prepare and overcome your shyness when talking with a potential employer. Before you go into a face-to-face interview, here are some of the things you can do to help you project confidence when you need it the most.

Share your accomplishments.

It’s hard to talk about yourself. Sharing your accomplishments feels like bragging, but it is a critical part of the interview process. They want to know how your experience can help them, and the best way to show that is to talk about the ways you were successful in your past jobs. If you want to avoid sounding like you’re bragging, talk about your past accomplishments in more technical terms.

Pay attention to body language.

If you’re shy, you probably want to fade into the background, but that’s exactly the opposite of what you need to do in a job interview. You may use body language to look and feel smaller. Instead, try a technique called mirroring. Instead of allowing for your natural body language, follow the physical cues of your interviewer. For example, you may lean in when they do. Also, pay attention to your eye contact and be sure to practice your handshake.

Give them a chance to do the talking.

You should already research the company and the job before the interview, but there will be other things for you to learn in your discussion. Let the interviewer do some of the talking while you avoid the spotlight and give yourself time to consider the next stages of the interview. The best way to do this is to ask open-ended questions rather than a yes or no question.

Practice makes perfect.

Before the interview, you should take time to practice the standard processes. Ask someone to help you and give you feedback on how you answer questions, your body language, and overall presence. Ask for opinions on the clothes you want to wear to the interview. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become for the real thing.

Do you need help finding jobs and making connections in your job search? Contact CornerStone Staffing, a leading job recruiter in Dallas, and work with our team!

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