COSMOPOLITAN July 2015 63
OF BOSSES KNOW WITHIN
THE FIRST 90 SECONDS OF
AN INTERVIEW WHETHER
THEY WILL HIRE SOMEONECOSMO INTERVIEW GUIDE
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YOU ARE AN
OPTIMISTIC
CANDIDATE
It’s no doubt you’re sure of
yourself when it comes to
work. You’re the one your
friends come to for job
advice and you most likely
knew your career calling
from a very young age.
Preparation is key for you,
as is your optimism – just
make sure this translates
in your interview. The
interviewer will feel that
energy and will naturally
connect with you more if
you’re being authentic. Your
enthusiasm can sometimes
get you into trouble, so be
careful not to interrupt, and
be sure to let the interviewer
guide the conversation.
Remember, you want good
eye contact. It’s best to err
on the side of more rather
than less, but be careful it
doesn’t appear like you’re
staring them down.YOU ARE A STEADY
CANDIDATE
You’re a people person,
but your relaxed nature can
put you at risk of looking
uninterested. Figure out
what your weaknesses are
ahead of time so you’re
prepared when they ask you
that question. Body language
is important too, especially
when making an impression.
Research shows that your
posture not only aff ects
your mood and emotions,
but also how you think. Try
doing a warrior stance in
front of the mirror at home,
before you leave for the
interview. Studies show that
standing with your hands on
your hips and chest wide for
as little as two minutes can
increase your testosterone
and decrease cortisol levels,
meaning you’ll feel more
confi dent and any anxiety
will signifi cantly lessen.YOU ARE AN
APPREHENSIVE
CANDIDATE
Public speaking has never
been your thing and if there
is one thing you dread, it’s
interviews. You’ve prepared
well, and done your research
on the company. The trick
now is to let the interviewer
see what you’re like as a
person. After all, they’ve
called you in for an interview
because they’re already
aware of your skills from
your CV. Remember that the
interviewer is just a regular
person, who has the same
stresses and insecurities
that you do. If you start to
get anxious, try breathing
in and out through your
nose only, not your mouth.
When you breathe through
your mouth, you trigger the
sympathetic nervous system,
which is the fi ght or fl ight
nervous system that will
make you more anxious.YOU ARE AN
ANALYTIC
CANDIDATE
You often set out to impress
in all areas of your life and
tend to put a lot of pressure
on yourself when it comes
to interviews. You’re the one
in your group who’s known
for being ultra-sensitive and
you work better alone. Often
when we’re nervous we
close up and make ourselves
look smaller. If you want the
job, make sure you make
your body language bigger.
Have your legs loosely
crossed when seated, to
appear more open. Read up
on the company before the
interview and remember to
show something of yourself
that sets you apart from
other candidates. Do some
cardio on the morning of the
interview to take the edge
off your anxiety and give you
an endorphin rush. >33
%
● Your girlfriend’s, which have been
at your place for months.7
As things start to warm up,
you’re feeling...
● Really good, you know you’d be
perfect for this role.
● Ready to make an impression.
● Slightly nervous.
● Hopeful that the interview goes as
smoothly as possible.8
What are you feeling a little bit
worried about?
● The interviewer asking about
your weaknesses.
● Talking salary.
● The interviewer asking you about
how your friends would describe you.
● The interviewer disliking you.9
How do you respond when they ask
about your strengths?
● Confidently – you’ve been practising
this question.
● You’re a little worried about coming
across as conceited.
● It doesn’t faze you.
● You focus on talking up your
communication skills.10
You leave the interview feeling...
● Elated it’s over.
● Fairly happy, although you wish you
answered one question differently.
● Good, you did better than you
thought you would.
WORDS BY BJULIA NAUGHTON. STATISTIC SOURCE: CAREER BLOG UNDERCOVER RECRUITER. PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK ONKEN● Buzzing.