Many job seekers are afraid of being  rejected by potential employers. This situation can cause job interview  performance problems. In fact, pre-interview anxiety is a normal  human behavior. However, these fears can be controlled and  handled effectively before the interview takes place. Fears and Nerves before a job interview can  display in many forms: dry mouth, sweaty palms, shaking, heart palpitations and sweating.

You are not alone – many interviewers  feel some of these symptom’s before an interview and it is perfectly normal. However, there is a solution to these  pre-interview nerves – your tasks during the 24 hour before an interview. This is the right time to get mentally  prepared and calm down.

So, what are the things to do before a job interview? Where is the Job Interview check list?

Read further.

How to relax before an interview: how to  calm down before an interview

You can practice pre-planned activities for  calming your nerves before an interview. The way you control the regular stress  that appears hours and minutes before interview can improve significantly your performance. Here are some suggested ‘things to do before  an interview’ in addition to things we should not do (i.e. don’ts):

1 Day before an interview – the evening  before your job interview

• Preparations before interview:
Prepare a list of your achievements to remind you of how great you are. Review  the related frequently asked job interview questions and answers.

• Make your final job interview test:
Pretend that you are sitting in the interview room and actually performing. You  know how professional you are. Practice your sales pitch one last time.

• Imagine: Think about the traveling  route that you are going to drive tomorrow. See yourself in the interview room,  hear yourself speaking with confidence.

The night before the interview

• Get enough sleep – at least 8  hours. Make sure that you wake up physically prepared and mentally refreshed.

The interview day: Morning or 3-4 hours  before the interview

• Dress for success: power-dressing  (i.e. dress code factor) can help boosting up your confidence. It also  impresses your interviewer.

• Eat wisely: don’t full yourself  with too much food for energy reserve. Eat as you eat regularly.

• Document Check: check your folder  one last time. Check (and read) documents like resume and job description to  have it fresh in your mind.

• Needless to say: Don’t drink  alcohol before interview, don’t smoke 2 hours before the interview and don’t  take medications/pills before interview. It smells and it feels.

• Prayer before an interview: if a  pray helps you to relax and calm nerves so pray.

Traveling to the interview

• Arrive early at your job interview  and spend some time to freshen up. You don’t want to be caught in a  traffic jam with no spare time left.

• Mind the time before the interview
–   arrive 30-45 minutes so you’ll have enough time to arrange your  thoughts and relax.

• Listen to music: what sort of  music do you like – pop, power songs, relaxing songs? Turn on the radio and  select your favorite radio station.

• Fresh air: Blast the air  conditioner (or open the window) for fresh and crisp air. It will awaken your  senses

Car parking or 30 minutes before your job  interview

• Positive thinking and ‘happy  thoughts’: no time for self-doubts. All thoughts should be positive. Close  your eyes and pretend to feel happy and you feel happy – that’s the formula.

• Breathing: breathe for four counts  and hold your breath for four counts.

• Visualize your activities before  actually performing them: athletes use this tactic to concentrate on their  mission. Before the interview, see yourself shaking hands, smiling, speaking,  making eye contact and generally being comfortable with yourself – If you think
it, it will happen.

Go into the building

• Restroom check: first thing to do,  getting into the interview building is going to the restroom. Wash your face,  wash your hands and smile to the mirror. Take your time.

• Drink fresh water: no Coke.

• Cell phone: turn off your cell  phone.

• Take slow/deep breaths: take deliberate  and controlled breaths to regulate the amount of oxygen in your body –  it helps your mind focus better.

Good Luck!!

As one of the largest hospitality recruiting agencies, we have our finger on the pulse of industry trends. What we are seeing are more and more concepts opening new restaurant locations nationwide. This is great news and shows not only growth but industry stability.

The nation’s 960,000 restaurants will continue to be strong contributors to the recovery of the nation’s economy, with industry sales representing 4 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product and employees comprising nearly 10 percent of the U.S. workforce. Its total economic impact exceeds $1.7 trillion, as every dollar spent in restaurants generates $2.05 spent in the overall economy. Restaurants are the nation’s second-largest private sector employer with 12.8 million employees.

A sample of what we are seeing:

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc. announced the launch of an aggressive growth plan to increase its presence in Tampa. With the company’s dollar share of chicken QSR sales at a 10-year high domestically, Popeyes is poised to rapidly expand domestically and is seeking bold, passionate multi-unit operators to invest in new restaurants in Tampa. 

Wingstop has announced plans to aggressively expand its presence in the Atlanta area.  The fast-growing national chicken wing chain plans to add 20 additional locations in Atlanta over the next several years. 

Coppell TX – based CiCi’s, a rapidly-expanding 600-unit pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet chain, announced it has signed agreements for the addition of 16 units over the next five years and hired Wingstop veteran Bruce Evans to lead franchise sales. The moves are part of CiCi’s growth initiative, with the goal of adding 500 restaurants in the next eight to 10 years.

I was recently at the International Franchise Expo in Washington DC and there are many new concepts opening. This is yet another great sign indicating continuing growth for the hospitality industry. There were concepts from Korean Burgers to Sushi to Grilled Cheese!

Does this video represent a future trend for restaurants?

Two dogs waiting patiently to get served in “restaurant”, and in spite of waiting, never get anything to drink.

“Praise the Baby Cheezuz,” cried out the American radio presenter Toby Knapp like a voice in the darkness, wandering through the wilderness. “We have at last found our savior, the messiah has come, with artificial flavors, carbohydrates and more! Now we will find peace and love for all mankind, and Congress won’t shut the Government down, either!”

It’s not believed that Knapp was under the influence of any intoxicants at the time of his interview for this story.

This news broadcast has been watched over 67,000 times on You Tube. What do YOU think about it?