How to Boost Your Interview Confidence and Land Your Dream Job

Picture yourself entering an interview feeling calm, prepared, and eager to share your skills with your future employer. Dressed in business casual, offering a firm handshake, and providing authentic answers, you leave with a smile, confident you nailed the interview.

That feeling is interview confidence. It sets you apart from countless candidates who may have performed just 'fine.'

Although this feeling after many nerve-wracking interviews may seem impossible right now, YOU will become that girl in every interview and land your dream job.​

Interview confidence is a necessity in today’s job market. It is not just you who has applied to a job, you are competing against hundreds of other like-minded people with similar skill sets. This is why it is VITAL to make a lasting impression in your interview and turn that hiring manager's “maybe” into a “yes”.​

However, confidence starts from within, and you have it, whether you believe it or not. Confidence can be built and learned, and once you have strengthened your trust in your performance, you will be able to achieve the dream job you have always wanted.

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What is the Psychology behind Confidence?

Preparation, experience, and your overall mindset are the factors that will help you build overwhelming confidence. Interview confidence is key, as having confidence can influence performance by reducing anxiety and increasing self-efficacy (Psychology Today).

When candidates enter an interview with a mindset of "I can do this,” they can better recall information, answer effectively, maintain eye contact, and ask employers leading questions.

For example, consider two candidates with similar skill sets and experience. However, one walks in with the attitude of “I hope I don’t mess up,” while the other is thinking “I am well-prepared and am confident I will answer each question with certainty.”

Although both are qualified on paper, the one with a confident mindset is more relaxed, smiles throughout the interview, and communicates more effectively.

What's the difference? Confidence. You can achieve this and nail every interview with this mindset.

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Prepare Thoughtfully and Thoroughly

Preparation is vital in gaining interview confidence. Before a big test, you have to prepare for the interview. Start by researching the company you are going to interview for. You can do this easily by searching up the company's website and/or social media.

Go through each column on their website and gain a good understanding of their goals and mission. Once you get a grasp of the company’s background, you will already be in great shape for interview confidence.

Next, practice! Practice! Practice! Interviewing with confidence does not come naturally; like everyone, you have to practice. You can do this easily with a family member, friend, colleague, or utilize any career services either through a university or online.

According to UMass Lowell, your preparation will boost performance and will leave a positive, lasting impression on the employer that will make you stand out.

By highlighting your strengths and practicing intentionally, you will build and be more aware of your presence and be able to walk into your next interview with confidence and a clear mindset.

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Dress the Part

How you dress tells the interviewee how professional you are, and can have a direct link to your interview confidence.

When choosing what to wear, it is best to select attire that best fits the company's culture. For instance, if the place is a small, creative, carefree marketing agency, the attire would be more laid-back, business casual.

However, if you are interviewing for a marketing position at a larger company such as Sephora or Rhode, then a business professional is the way to go.

There are hundreds of websites for you to travel to if you are feeling completely lost on what to wear. Wonder Wardrobe and The Muse have great, easy-to-follow examples of each attire to wear. 

Additionally, make sure the clothes feel comfortable on you by making sure they are the right size, shape, and well-pressed they are because when you look good, you naturally will feel good.

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Let your Body Speak for Your Confidence

Body language could speak more than your own words in an interview with confidence. Albert Mehrabian, who is a researcher of body language, stated this important fact: He found that communication is 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal, and 7% words, as stated by the University of Texas Permian Basin.

That’s why carrying a positive attitude, smiling, eye contact, and even a firm handshake are all important indicators that tell an employer that you are confident and prepared.

Additionally, according to Indeed, your postures and gestures communicate enthusiasm and engagement. I know this is a lot of information, so let's start simple:

1st step: Start with your posture. Focus on your shoulders by relaxing them, straightening your back out, and leaning in to some degree to show that you are engaged.

2nd step: Make consistent eye contact. Although this can be awkward and even slightly uncomfortable, this is important to showing you are captivated by what the interviewee is saying.

Showing consistent eye contact throughout the interview shows that you are attentive and trustworthy- both important skill sets for you to be successful in a role.

3rd step: Control your facial expressions. Many women are guilty of showing what they are thinking during interviews, and although this may be difficult to overcome, it is very important to show appropriately when you are being friendly versus confused.

A friendly smile goes a long way and builds a positive interaction between you and the interviewee. Positive interactions and friendliness make you stand out, and it shows that you are considerate.

Shift your Mindset before An Interview

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The secret to true interview confidence begins with just one thing: how YOU think. At the end of the day, confidence is a mindset that is acquired.

Instead of viewing interviews as tests that can make or break your career, see them as an incredible opportunity that you, as a woman, can showcase all the important skills and knowledge you have learned.

Even if the interview did not go as you wanted, you can still shift your mindset to a positive one, focusing on what you did well.

Once you master this, you will develop a growth mindset.

Stanford Report states that with a growth mindset, “you know that you can change over time, and therefore you are more open to reflect, learn, and grow from challenges.

Because failure is less threatening, you are more willing to embrace life’s challenges, take feedback as a learning opportunity, and continue to learn and grow throughout life.”

A beauty brand that models this mindset is Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez; Rare Beauty was created to challenge unrealistic beauty standards and to be your most authentic self. If a candidate were interviewing with this company, they can align their brand's message while also being themselves.

Final Thoughts: Walk into your Next Interview with Confidence and Nail it!

Confidence starts and ends with you. No one else.

Every interview showcases your amazing, unique skills as a marketer; you just need to prove to them and yourself that you are determined and willing to land your dream job.

You don’t need to be perfect to nail an interview; you just need to be prepared, authentic, and most importantly, proud of the accomplishments that got you there.

✍️ Written by Annie Kazmierski