10 Things To Do In the 15 Minutes Before Your Job Interview

It’s 15 minutes before the big job interview you’ve been preparing for. What do you do?

The best answer is: take any necessary steps to keep your composure and concentration.

Here are some things you should (or shouldn’t) do right before your interview: 

01. Don’t overthink it. Stress impairs your ability to think clearly. You want to be able to think clearly during an interview to answer questions to the best of your ability. 

02. Nothing will shake you more than running late to an interview, so arrive early. Not too early though, that might be seen as an imposition – 10 minutes before your interview is the ideal time to head inside. 

03. Be friendly with everyone you encounter. If you are hired, you’ll start off with your new coworkers on the right foot… first impressions matter! 

04. Stop rehearsing. Over-prepared responses come across as disingenuous and scripted. Treat the interview more as a conversation than a test. A sincere response will do much better than a robotic one. 

05. Decide on two things you want to be remembered for. It’s important to highlight your knowledge and qualifications for the position you’re interviewing for, and honing in on a few key traits will help you stand out. 

06. Keep your posture in mind. You’ll exude confidence sitting in a power pose as you wait to go into your interview. 

07. Avoid checking your phone. You can never be sure of what kind of content you’ll come across. It may also come off as impolite or unprofessional. 

08. Review your notes, but don’t do any more research. You should be done preparing and rehearsing; any new information you come across during this time period allows for confusion. 

09. Look in a mirror. Go to the restroom to take a final look and wash your hands. A presentable appearance and clean hands are crucial for a great first impression – you don’t want to be remembered for having sweaty palms! 

10. Think happy thoughts. Thinking about pleasant topics will not only put you in a great mindset, but will also help you go in with a genuine smile and sense of excitement. 

Everyone approaches the 15 minutes before a big moment differently. What’s important is that you remain focused on the upcoming task. Keep in mind that you already impressed the hiring manager on paper enough to land the interview… now it’s time to convince them you’re the perfect candidate for the position.