Get over Interview Jitters

Michael has been to six interviews in the past two months. He has been runner-up for a couple of the jobs but has received no solid offers.

These are competitive times, and rejection can be expected. Competition for jobs is keen. It is important, however, to do everything possible to sell yourself by preparing for the interview. Start thinking of yourself as a product and presenting what you have to offer the company.

Can you imagine giving a performance without some practice and preparation? Winging the interview in today's market is a big mistake. Preparation will make you feel more confident and less anxious.

Fear of Rejection

Because of the number of interviews with no offer, Michael feels defeated, and it is beginning to affect his self-esteem.

Such rejection hurts, but try not to take it personally. There are so many factors that could be affecting the offer that it is impossible to say what is happening. There may be internal candidates, relatives promised jobs, a competitor who is a perfect match for the position, a lack of chemistry or a mismatch in salary needs.