Job Interviews: Subliminal Tips for the Nervous Interviewee

No matter what stage of job interviewing you are at, the prospect of putting yourself out there can be nerve-wracking. Any how-to guide will tell you to dress the part, be on time, and send a thank you note. Here are some other not-so-obvious suggestions for how to ace the interview, garnered through experiences both good and bad.

Chew a breath mint first. Even though you will not be in close proximity for extended periods of time, if your initial impression is of bad breath, this may put a subconscious check in the interviewer's mental negatives column. Similarly, check to be sure you don't have food between or lipstick on your teeth. First impressions count.

Eschew strong perfumes or colognes. For many of the same reasons as above, there are some ways you don't want to stand out from the crowd. Many individuals have sensitive senses of smell and a strong scent may put them off. On the flip side, double the deodorant as a just in case measure.

Play a power song first. Music gets your confidence up, and starts you off in a high mood. Whether it's your own personal theme song a la Ally McBeal, or just a song that gets you motivated, pump a little music before walking into the interview. Songs like KT Tunstall's "Suddenly I See" and Queen's "I Want it All" and will get your blood pumping and confidence high before you walk in.

Read the job description, again. The more intelligent questions you can ask about the position and how it fits within the organization, the more interested - and interesting - you look. It tells the interviewer that you did your homework, and are thoughtful about how your skills would benefit the organization.

Mirror the interviewer. Watch what kind of language she uses to describe the organization and send it back to her. Or, if he indicates the organization is in transition, jump in with your suggestions for how you can help. Either way, remember that your job is to impress the interviewer so even if he has an informal tone, keep yours professional. And don't forget that your body language is also talking: smile, gesture, and make eye contact.

Think of the interview as a conversation. One of the hurdles to overcoming nerves during an interview is getting past question and answer anxiety. If you can make the interviewer feel as if they are having a conversation with a colleague, then he will easily to envision you as one of the team. Similarly, you are "trying out" the organization as well and if you don't feel chemistry then it might not be the right place for you.

Leave on a high note. Though you shouldn't get up in the middle of a conversation like George on Seinfeld, do try to save your best for last. First and last impressions have a way of sticking with interviewers and may be enough to push you to the top if you are on the cusp.

As the job market fluctuates and good jobs are less easy to come by, mastering the art of the interview and its many subtle features is even more important. These subtle things set you apart from the rest of the field. Good luck!