Job interviews can be a nerve-racking experience for even the most confident of people, especially when you have the chance of landing your dream job. We ran a survey recently on Aviation Job Search, and asked over 600 jobseekers whether job interviews made them nervous. 32% said yes.
However, there are numerous ways a candidate can calm their interview nerves and give themselves the best chance possible of getting a call back.
Whether you’re being interviewed for a pilot, cabin crew or engineering job, these simple tips should help you be at your best when facing those tricky questions.
Preparation and planning
Research is one of the most important aspects of interview preparation and an in-depth knowledge of a company or industry can help overcome even the trickiest of questions. Has the airline won any recent awards? What do they do better than others? Who is the CEO?
It can also be very advantageous to use LinkedIn to conduct some research on your interviewer, if they have a similar background or working interests to you then this can give you a talking point, helping you to relax.
Make sure you do your preparation the night before to avoid any morning panic. For example, what if you only find out your printer is out of ink a couple of hours before the interview, or realise your suit or dress is stained or damaged while your other smart clothes are in the wash?
Plan your route to get there in ample time. Being late for an interview will get things off to a very bad start and add to your stress levels. If you’re using public transport then make sure you’re looking at the right timetables and check the travel company’s website in case there are any planned strikes or disruptions.
Finally, get a good night’s sleep!
Rehearse
A bit of online research will point you towards potential questions for the job you have applied for, however, trying to memorise the exact answers can be problematic and unexpected questions could throw you off guard. Instead, try to memorise specific points to help you convey an overall message, such as; what you can bring to the role, what your future aspirations are, your key skills and experience, etc.
Double check
Not sure what the dress code for your interview is, or what documents you need to bring with you? Then just send an email, or give the HR team a call to double check. Eliminate any doubts you may have so they don’t add to your nerves.
Treat the interview as a normal conversation
Your interviewer might be just as nervous as you are, it could even be their first time conducting one, so walking into an interview with a smile on your face and making polite small talk can put you both at ease.
Also be mindful of your body language, sitting up straight and opening up your shoulders helps you appear more confident and allows you to project your voice. From an interviewer’s perspective, speaking to a person who is hunched over and continuously fidgeting just creates an awkward environment.
Be positive and don’t be scared of mistakes
It sounds simple but going into the interview with a positive mindset can significantly reduce anxiety. Remind yourself that you’ve been asked to attend this interview based on your skills and experience in order to boost your confidence.
Making a mistake is also not the end of the world, employers are not looking for the perfect interview, they are looking for people who can be adaptable and would be a good fit for their company.
Take your time
Nothing highlights a person’s nerves more than talking too quickly or rushing their answers, so take your time and ensure you put across your key points and convey why you are perfect for the role.
Technical interviews
In some cases, particularly for pilots, a technical exam or interview will also be required in addition to a traditional interview. This provides a different sort of challenge but the same methods apply in terms of calming nerves. Technical assessments will test a person’s knowledge, from navigation to communications, to air law and operational procedures. To avoid mental blocks, the above steps can be applied to ensure you are as calm and confident as possible, in order to provide the best answers possible.
We hope this article has been of help to you but another key point that is worth remembering is that there will always be more jobs out there, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
Good luck with your interview!
