How to control your emotions during a job interview?

Perhaps, one of the most frequently asked questions is “how to control or regulate your emotions during a job interview?”, since this is one of the most stressful and decisive stages of the recruitment and selection process.

In previous posts we talked about the interview, addressing the most important factors to consider before and during the interview, as well as recommendations, ways to prepare and some tips to reduce stress.

Generally, the outcome of the interview depends on the degree of preparation and self-control. On many occasions there will not be completely correct answers and the decisive factor for a company to choose between a candidate or another, is the capacity that the applicant has to expose his/her skills and project an image of trust and self-control.

We list some tips that can help you to improve your self-control:

·        Be aware of your body language and your posture. Avoid bending your back or looking at the ground; Constantly moving legs, feet, or hands can be indicative of nervousness and insecurity.

·        Control your voice tone. It is important that your voice tone is consistent with the situation. Your voice tone should be serene, modulated, sufficiently firm to be listened. If you control your voice tone, your words and arguments would have more credibility.

·        Diction. Talk slowly, avoid complicated words (especially if the interview is in another language), consider that talking too fast or taking prolonged pauses can spoil the clarity of what you want to expose.

·        Your gaze and attention. Directing your gaze to the eyes of the person you are talking to will make him or her perceive respect and attention during the interview. This will help to show interest in the message as well as on the information that is being exchanged.

·        Gestures. Gestures are an essential element at the moment of transmitting an idea, there must be a congruence between what you are saying and what you express through your gestures. A single gesture can make your message lose credibility, effectiveness or impact.

·        Smile. A "natural" smile is an important component, through which you can project: sincerity, positivism, empathy, trust and tranquility.

·        Image. Make sure your clothes and accessories are aligned with the dress code of the organization. It is essential that the recruiter perceives you as someone that takes care of his/her hygiene and/or appearance.

·        Don't push yourself. When facing a difficult question, take your time to formulate a coherent answer. You can ask the recruiter to reformulate the question (in case you haven't fully understood it) or ask for a little more information or background to make your answer more assertive.

·        Greeting and farewell. A firm handshake (not excessive) will show that you are a determined and trustworthy person. Be courteous and attentive in your greeting and in your farewell, express your gratitude for the time the recruiter granted to you.

It is essential that you be aware of who you are, the message you are giving, as well as what you transmit. Achieving a coherence between these three elements will help you project self-control and a confident image that may open the doors to more opportunities.