A FIELD GUIDE TO YOUR INTERVIEW
- IF NERVES ARE GETTING
THE BETTER OF YOU
Whether you’re naturally anxious
or have just had a hectic morning,
sometimes you might feel like you’re
on the verge of crying (it happens).
The solution? Think of rhyming words.
This propels the blood away from your
emotional centres over to your more
literal and analytical centres, bringing
emotions right down. >
All the extras
to take your
interview game to
the next level, from
psychiatrist Dr
Julie Holland
COSMO INTERVIEW GUIDE
- WORK OUT YOUR ROUTE
Chances are your interview is somewhere
you aren’t too familiar with. Doing a “test
commute” will help you fi gure out exactly
how much time you need to get there.
2. THE
MORNING OF
Call your mum or bestie.
You’ve already done
tons of research on the
company so now’s time
to settle those nerves
before the interview.
4. IN THE
ELEVATOR
Small talk is a given,
whether it’s with the
receptionist or your
interviewer herself. Keep
it professional and stick
to “safe” topics like the
weather, traffi c, or whether
they’ve had a busy morning.
3.
WHILE YOU WAIT
IN THE LOBBY
Turn off your phone, or pop
it on silent. Chances are your
potential employer won’t
share the same enthusiasm
for your ringtone.
- TO COFFEE
OR NOT TO
COFFEE?
Unless you’re dying
for a caff eine hit,
politely decline.
Caff eine is a stimulant,
speeding up heart
rate and causing you
to sweat more. - SIT RIGHT
Try to choose a seat that’s
slightly angled away from
the interviewer. Studies
show that when chairs
are directly across from
each other there’s less
recall of what is said.
Avoid keeping your purse
on your lap or the table
- fi nd an appropriate
place to set it down.
You want to appear
active and engaged.
Do this by leaning
slightly forwards so
you’re towards the
edge of your seat.
Take your time when
answering questions
- you don’t have to
answer right away.
- FOLLOW THEIR LEAD
WORDS BY JULIA NAUGHTON. ILLUSTRATIONS BY INGA CAMPBELL (INKLINGDESIGN.COM.AU). BAUERSYNDICATION.COM.AU