If there is one thing that job seekers dread, it’s the process of actually interviewing for a job. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just out of school, it is perfectly natural to develop a healthy dread before and even during a job interview – but the good news is – you don’t need to feel this way. By changing how you look at the interview process you can actually start to enjoy it, and what’s even better, you’ll end up getting more out of it.

The first step is to stop psyching yourself out before the interview even happens. Take the time to prepare ahead of time to get rid of your jitters. For example, you can read through common interview questions and learn all that you can about the company you’re applying with and the interviewer. This will help you feel more prepared and you won’t have to worry as much about getting blindsided with questions.

Another great technique you can use is to actually practice going through the interview process. If you’re working with a recruiter, they’ll take the time to coach you and may even tape a few interview scenarios with you so that you will become completely comfortable with the process. You’ll get some invaluable tips from them.

It’s also helpful to learn not to take anything personally. This takes time, but just remember that you are being judged, like it or not. All you can control is how you present yourself. You are not responsible for an interviewer’s opinion and some interviewers may just simply not like you or believe you are a good candidate. That is out of your control. All you can do is your personal best – stop beating yourself up! Stay confident and this will translate during the interview process.

It’s also important to remember that the right job is out there. Don’t get discouraged or desperate – this definitely will be evident during the interview process. Even if it feels as though you’ve been looking for a job forever, you will find the right company. If you do feel discouraged, you may want to seek out a recruiter for help. They can make the job hunting process much easier and as mentioned earlier, they can also provide you with coaching that will help you regain or develop your confidence.

Remember, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t land every single job. Stay confident and keep looking!

Do you have a question on overcoming interview nerves or how to improve your chances of landing the job you really want? Let the experts at ContemporaryStaffing help you today!

Contemporary Staffing celebrates Throwback Thursdays!

Each week, we will feature a first job of one of our employees, clients, or contractors, posing questions often asked in job interviews. They will share many things along with what they learned from their first job, how they feel it’s applicable to their job today, and something they’ve learned since their first job they wish they knew then.

Rayna J., a CSS Employee, shares her first job:

Where was your first job?

“Nathan’s Hot Dog’s” Coney Island, NY

What did you learn?

“How to deal with all types of people. In this world there are so many personalities, backgrounds & behaviors. When you deal with people’s food and children you get a good dosage of the good and bad. Learning to stay clam, to listen and most importantly how to let things roll are some of the best lessons I had at the park.”

What was a “stand out” moment that was fun/interesting/memorable”?

“Well everyday was an adventure of sorts. Being in that Amusement park atmosphere, there was always music playing & kids running around. You always woke up at work!”

What do you know now, that you wish you knew then?

“How to manage my time. It was so stressful with school & work. If I knew how to manage my time and prioritize, I would have gotten better grades and been able to make (my) Senior trip money!”

What did you learn from your first job that you apply to your current job?

“How to deal with all types of people. In this world there are so many personalities, backgrounds & behaviors. When you deal with people’s food and children you get a good dosage of the good and bad. Learning to stay clam, to listen and most importantly how to let things roll are some of the best lessons I had at the park.”

What is your current job/title?

Rayna J. is an Administrative Assistant/Dispatcher for one of Contemporary Staffing Solutions prestigious clients.

CSS Wants to know: What did you learn from your first job?!

Thank you Rayna J. for all your great responses to Contemporary Staffing Solutions “Throwback Thursday!”

If you would like the opportunity to be featured in our “Throwback Thursday” blog posting in future weeks, let us know below, or email your response to marketing@contemporarystaffing.com!

While most candidates worry about being underqualified for a position, there are times when you will end up being overqualified. How you handle this situation in a job interview will largely determine whether or not you end up landing the job. Being overqualified isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you will need to approach the situation a little differently.

There are numerous reasons why a simpler position can be attractive. Maybe you want less stress in your life, or you want to focus on other things and have your job be secondary in your priority list. While you really don’t want to share these things with a future employer, there are some objections you will need to answer.

The interviewer is going to have some questions about your qualifications and why you are applying for this position. Being prepared for these questions will help you get through the interview with flying colors and help cement in the interviewer’s mind that you are the right choice for the position.

The most common objection you’re going to face is why do you want this job? This means the interviewer is really wondering if you’re just going to use this position to mark time until the job you really want comes along. Assuming you’re not doing this (and we hope you aren’t) now is the time to stress your enthusiasm about the company and its goals and how you want to be a part of that organization. You don’t necessarily want to lay this on too thick, but showing enthusiasm and passion for the position will help ease the interviewer’s mind.

The next objection that will likely come up is whether or not you expect fast and furious promotions if you deign to take a position that is obviously well below your skill levels. It is vital to stress that you are interested in long-term company growth, not instant gratification. Let the interviewer know you are looking at the big picture.

Lastly, if the position has a pay-cut from your prior position, the interviewer is going to want to know where your mind is in this process. Are you really okay with taking less money? Once again, this is the time to stress enthusiasm for the company and explain your priorities a little more, ie: You would rather take less money to work for a company you can believe in.

Are you worried about being overqualified for a position or are you currently seeking employment? Let the experts at Contemporary Staffing help you get prepared for your next job interview.