These Toxic Thoughts are Ruining Your Interview Before it Begins
Posted March 16th, 2017
Your thoughts are powerful. Every action you decide to take is a direct result of something that passed through your mind. So, when your thoughts about an upcoming interview steer into less than pleasant territory, it can actually harm your performance before you even shake the hiring manager’s hand.
While even the most successful individuals have negative thoughts from time to time, failing to keep them from drifting into the toxic zone can derail even the best-laid plans. Before you let your thoughts steer you away from success, here are some of the toxic thoughts that can ruin your interview before it begins, and what to do about them.
Focusing on Perfect
If you think the only way to land the job is to have a perfect interview, you are setting yourself up for potential failure. The idea of perfection typically just creates anxiety, as it is essentially unattainable. And, if you find yourself faltering as the interview moves along, you might get caught in a downward spiral based on the notion that you aren’t measuring up.
Perfection isn’t required for an interview to be a success. Instead, focus on doing your best and maintaining composure if a misstep occurs. Then, you can recover professionally without feeling like the entire interview was blown.
Drowning in Self-Doubt
There are times where we all feel like our shortcomings are larger than life. But, if you continuously doubt your abilities, it will come through during your interview. Don’t let yourself focus on ideas of not being good enough, skilled enough, or experienced enough. Instead, take the time to appreciate your strengths and remember that your current skills and experiences helped you land the interview, so they were good enough to at least do that.
Concentrating on Other People’s Opinions
While it’s true that the interviewer’s opinion is part of the assessment, you can’t control how they perceive everything you do or say, or even how you look. Instead of actively worrying about their opinion, focus on showing your best self. Don’t change important parts of who you are just because you think the hiring manager would prefer you that way. Then, if you land the position, you know it is because of what you have to offer, and not because you portrayed yourself differently just to get the job.
Comparing Yourself to Others
Examining how you measure up to others is hard to avoid, especially if you cross paths with other candidates. However, it is important to remember that everyone is different, and that means you may have something to offer that they don’t. You possess a unique mix of skills, knowledge, and experiences, and it might be the exact combination the hiring manager needs. So, focus on the things that make you a strong candidate, and work to show them.
If you are looking for a new job, Bayside Solutions can help you find opportunities in your field. Contact us to see what is available in your area today.
