One of my favorite things to do is to offer mock interviews to Amplified Nation. I love the sound of confidence after a practice round and getting some feedback. I know those people that practice a little bit go in to the interview and represent themselves in a way that allows employers to meet a confident, authentic candidate. That is all you should ever strive to be, a confident and authentic you.

Here are some tips to make sure that you sound like you!

1. When you’re doing a phone interview, stand up or sit up tall in a chair, if possible watch yourself in the mirror. Smile often! You can hear a smile.
2. If you get asked a question that throws you for a loop take a deep breath and move on. Then send a follow up email with a more thoughtful answer the question. It will help you stay calm when you get thrown off your center and it’s a great way to make sure you’re remembered.
3. Before the interview write a list of all your assets, things that are important to you, and your unique strengths. Right before the interview review the list and use these examples in your answers when possible.
4. When it’s your turn to ask questions use your list of assets to make sure the job is the right fit for you and use your questions to highlight your skills. For example, if one of your proudest moments is training a lemur for a hand injection and it doesn’t come up in the interview say, “One of my most proud moments was training a lemur for a hand injection, how does your vet feel about the keepers training those types of husbandry behaviors?”

Above all else be you! Have confidence that the person who’s interviewing you gets to know who you really are and can decide if you are a good fit for the position. If they don’t choose you, relax knowing the position wouldn’t have been right for you anyway.
Be confident and be you!