How can you use positive words to boost your confidence in an interview?

Ask people you know how they would describe you. If you hear things that surprise you --whether positively or negatively-- ask them what they would suggest you work on improving. For example: if you tend to be a pessimistic or critical person, figure out why you anticipate a negative outcome. Think back to what you heard growing up. If you can't come up with anything, ask longtime friends and family members. They may be able to remind you of something that caused you to be fearful or pessimistic. Ask them how you make them feel and how you can do better. The way you are in your personal life carries over into your life with your "work friends and work family."

If you aren't comfortable discussing your achievements, focus on what brings you joy and frame your responses accordingly. If it feels awkward to say "I resolved this issue," try saying "I enjoy problem solving" and then provide an example of an issue you identified and how you resolved it. If you feel underutilized or undervalued in your current position provides, you could say "Learning new skills and taking on more responsibility makes me feel valued and productive."

There are several dirty words to never use in an interview. Only as in "I've only done this or that." The second is just as in "I've just done this." A third is light as in I have light experience with . . ." These words signal a lack of confidence in your ability to answer questions on the subject they are asking you about and they should move on to another topic. Tell people what you know and what you've done. If it's sufficient, great! If it isn't, that's ok, too. Only, light and just are meaningless words that offer no clarity to an interviewer and signal your lack of confidence.

Speak to yourself with kindness. Many of us have been taught the Golden Rule: "Do on to others as you would have them do on to you." I would also add "do on to yourself as you would do on to others." Many of us are far kinder to other people than we are to ourselves. The "inner critic" needs to be silenced. The next time you start cutting yourself down, ask yourself these questions: "Would I ever speak to my best friend this way? Would I ever speak to my partner this way? Would my best friend or partner speak to me this way?" If the answer is "yes," it's time to reevaluate more than just your work situation. Talk to yourself with the same voice and words that you speak to others.

Over the past 34 years that I have been a legal recruiter, I have taught thousands of attorneys and law students how to interview. First and foremost: speak from your heart. We have all had the experience of someone telling us what we want to hear, and yet we don't believe them. Why is that? Probably because it sounds like a "spiel." The mind can convince us of anything, but the gut doesn't lie. Employers don't want to be rejected any more than you do. What you say is as important as how you say it. Non-verbal cues, aka body language, play a huge role in how you are perceived. Before you walk into the interview, put a big smile on. You will make a positive first impression, and that sets the tone for the entire interview.

To close a gap in confidence, paying attention to what positive words we are telling ourselves is also essential. If we aren’t believing that we are qualified for the opportunity, then others will not truly believe any positive words we say. I saw this repeatedly while managing employment centers with hundreds of employers coming to our doors each year to interview. They would sometimes come out of the interview room and note, “She seems to have everything we need but doesn’t come across like she believes it. I can’t risk that.” It’s one reason I created a free mini-course that addresses and upgrades our mindset, body language, and energy before any interview. See if it helps you: https://www.upgrademyinterview.com/adventure.html

Share details from your experience. Hiring managers tend to like to hear specifics. Be a story teller of your experience without being long winded. Ask clarifying questions - did I answer your question?

I have had over 40 professional gigs in my career. All required at least one and usually two interviews. The best advice I can give, is that you need a story that explains who you are and why everything you have done is leading to this interview right now. Each story should be uniquely crafted for each interview. The story must show the benefits of hiring you and have very little to do with your own personal excitement about getting the job.

Before an interview, spend some time saying positive things about yourself. This will put you in a positive mindset and ensure you answer questions using the positive words as well.