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Prepare, breathe, nail the interview

Teresa Bartlett felt confident going into her interview at Manpower staffing agency, but she still needed a glass of water to quench the dry mouth she gets when she’s nervous.

Local experts say nerves often come with an interview, but steps can be taken to quell the butterflies and allow you to more effectively market yourself to a potential employer.

“An interview can make or break getting a job,” said Janine Papenfuss, director of career services at the Minnesota School of Business in St. Cloud. “The first impression is the most important.”

Bartlett overcame her nerves to make sure her prospective employer saw her positive attitude, computer skills and outgoing personality. The 43-year-old Royalton woman started this month as office manager at Farmers Insurance in St. Cloud.

Soothing nerves becomes more important as job seekers work to stand out in a larger pool of applicants. Job vacancies fell 9 percent statewide in the fourth quarter from the year before, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. St. Cloud-area unemployment increased to 5.9 percent in January when not seasonally adjusted.

Do your homework

While nerves may seem to go hand-in-hand with job interviews, local experts say applicants can conquer this side effect with preparation.

“You should do a little bit of research (about a position and company) before you even apply for a job,” Papenfuss said.

Visiting the company’s Web site, looking at its stock or calling the company and asking questions can impart knowledge that will help you in the interview.

Another way to calm nerves is to practice interviewing, including knowing answers to commonly asked questions. These can include listing strengths, weaknesses and accomplishments.

Local experts say more employers now ask behavior-type questions. These can include scenarios and how an employee may handle them. This allows employers to further determine if a job candidate is a good fit.

“Once a person is invited for the interview, the person (company) has determined they have the skills,” said Mary Wiese, a career planner with the Stearns-Benton Employment & Training Council.

She suggests videotaping a mock interview. This can help determine if more practice is needed, she said.

It allows interviewees to look at negative body language, such as a lack of eye contact or frowning when thinking of answers, and change that behavior.

Job seekers also gain confidence with each interview — whether it is mock or not. Bartlett said she felt more relaxed during her interview at Farmers Insurance after interviewing at the staffing agency.

The way job candidates present themselves can add or subtract confidence.

Papenfuss suggests dressing better than what a typical day is like at the company.

Stay positive

Staying on an employer’s radar and eventually gaining a position requires keeping a positive attitude — and nerves can prevent that from showing.

Bartlett believes her positive attitude helped her land her position.

Papenfuss suggests keeping the interview positive by answering negative questions in a positive way.

If a question is asked about past termination, answer with how it helped you learn life skills or how it turned into a positive result, she said.

And job seekers should try to be themselves.

“I think that most people, if they are being honest and being themselves, makes them more at ease,” said Lisa Schroeder, director of Human Resources at Aria Communications in St. Cloud.