Your big day is coming. You have been reading all the tips you can find from the leading experts to get you ready for your interview. Your answers are top of mind for those tough questions such as why you are leaving your current job; what are your biggest strengths; and of course what is your biggest weakness. Or perhaps your big day will be an important meeting or presentation and not an interview? In this case you have memorized your presentation and studied every detail of the topics.
Whatever your reason is to be on your ‘A’ game, this is the day you need it. There are a few things to consider on the practical side to make sure you are prepared, at your best, and confident. These are the little details that can either boost or undermine your state of mind and confidence without your being aware.
The good news is that while these can have a negative impact if left untended, they are completely in your control. With very little thought or effort on your part, some attention to these details will give you the confidence you need to be successful.
deal with THE PAPERWORK
Paperwork, no one likes the paperwork! As soon as your potential meeting is secured, put together your meeting packet.
An interview packet may include a hard copy of your resume and cover letter as well as any work examples which may be appropriate to share for the current position. At this time I also lay out a couple blank thank you cards or start a draft in my email so that this process is started and can easily be finished up after the meeting.
For meetings or presentations you may need to include sell sheets and flyers. Will you need to print up notes for your audience, an agenda, or a sign in sheet?
Whatever your paperwork needs are, get them done and out of the way. This will free your mind and also allow for any issues that arise such as a jammed copier or low ink cartridge. For meetings I suggest doing this at least by the Friday of the week prior. For interviews the weekend before can be a great time to get organized.
be sure to DRIVE IN STYLE
There is no denying that our surroundings impact how we feel. So think, where will you be spending the last few minutes to an hour before your interview? It is very likely this will be in your car. What do you want to be surrounded by the last few minutes before you need your confidence? A clean fresh smelling car free of clutter would be my choice over the leftovers from my daily commute. Also, ever park next to a car and look inside as you get out of yours or observe a dirty car pulling into your parking lot? Don’t think for a minute that your interview starts when you walk in the front door. Every interaction you have with your potential employer is part of the process, including how you drive into the lot, where you park and how clean your car is. Do yourself a confidence favor and take an hour the weekend before to wash you car inside and out.
By doing this the weekend before you accomplish two feats. First, you will not be stressed about cleaning your car the morning of your big meeting. Second, you will have the benefit of enjoying a clean car for a few days which will make you feel better.
Also, do not forget about the gas meter. Ever reach for the gas pump handle and start your car filling up, only to then realize the strong smell of gas on your hands? Someone else must have topped off and there mess is now your scent of the day. Do not let this be your cologne of choice for the big day. Be sure to check your gas the day before.
choose to have a GOOD HAIR DAY
When is your ‘good hair’ day? May sound a bit crazy to say, but as much as we can have a ‘bad hair’ day, we also typically have a day that we feel we are at our best.
For whatever reason, the first day after a trim I feel a bit awkward and overexposed. Like a dog that just had a shave and wants to hide. Whether my hair is a bit too short to hold the way I prefer, or I just need time to adjust to the lighter feeling I can not say for sure. I know, I know, it is a personal problem. However, we cannot afford to have little things like an awkward feeling hiding in the back of our minds on our important day.
Since my best hair day is three to four days after a trim, I make sure to get myself groomed three to four days before my interview or presentation. Planning to see your stylist the day before your big meeting? How do you typically feel the day after your appointment? If you feel great and ready to take on the world then go for it. However, if you need a few days to adjust and get to know your new do, then it may be best to back it up a few days. Whatever your most comfortable day is, plan ahead so that you are not dealing with a new style and stressing over hair the morning that you need your mind focused on being the best you can be.
While we are discussing appearance, think ahead about your wardrobe too. Decide what you are going to wear and have it laid out ready to go, if it has been a while since you last wore your best suit, I would suggest a dress rehearsal the weekend before, just in case the discomfort of your current position has been eased by a bit of comfort food.
all morning STAY CLEAR & DRY
Why me? For whatever reason, I can be a spiller, actually more of a dripper. You know the type, having coffee and without feeling it a drip lands on your shirt or dead center on a plain tie, where the pattern will not hide. Leaving you with the choice to lose the tie, add a sweater on an eighty degree day, or run to a store to buy a new shirt. All of which I have done. I must say that this does not happen to me every day but for some reason it happens on the wrong days.
That is until I learned a new rule: clear and dry all morning. It is really a very simple thing.
- If you only eat foods that are dry, the worst you will have are dry crumbs to brush away.
- If you only drink water, the worst that will happen is that a spot needs to dry off.
So now on important meeting days and before interviews I be sure that once I am in my ‘Sunday best’ I stick with dry foods and water at least until after the meeting.
listen to some MOOD MUSIC
Music has a magical way of setting the tone for our emotions. And we all have our favorite songs that really get us pumped up. You may have three or four songs that you can throw into a ‘motivational music’ playlist. Or perhaps you have one favorite that you want to rock to over and over again the entire trip. You know what your song is, I can not pick it for you but whatever it is, have it ready to play the minute you start your drive.
now go enjoy YOUR BIG DAY
By now you have spent the weekend before focusing on the first three tips: paperwork, car and appearance. Enjoy your morning getting ready in the confidence that has been building all week as you have enjoyed your clean car, groomed self, and the self assurance that you are prepared. This state of mind enhanced with just the right music for you, will deliver you to your interview, meeting or presentation with all the confidence you need to perform at your best and win them over!
Thank you for continuing this journey with me. I hope you find these simple reminders a renewed sense of control of your confidence and your own destiny. If so please be sure to ‘like’ and ‘share’ with your network so they too can benefit from a few simple steps.
As always please add your thoughts in the comments section below.
Andy Vargo is a motivational speaker, life coach and comedian who challenges you to ‘Own Your Awkward’. He is the author of the Awkward Journal series, host of the podcast, Own Your Awkward, and shares thoughts and ideas in his blog and video series available at awkwardcareer.com.
Originally published on LinkedIn