Throughout your career, you’re likely to sit for several interviews on the phone, video or in person. While the interview itself can be a sweat-inducing balance of stress and exhilaration, the steps you take to prepare yourself for it can make or break your performance.

Whether it’s learning more about the position or looking after your health, you should be taking time before your interview to ensure you’ll make a good impression. Here are five things to do the day before an interview so that you are prepared to find success.

1. Research

Whether you’re looking up common interview questions, industry news, or the CEO’s background, make sure you’re spending time learning about the organization and position for which you’ll be interviewing. A comprehensive understanding of the company and industry will be easy to sprinkle in your responses but will definitely impress your interviewer.

 2. Practice

There are few better ways to prepare than practicing. Review common interview questions and rehearse your responses to build your confidence, avoid any blunders, and improve your future performance. Be sure to include real-life examples of your experience and how it ties into the position for which you’re interviewing. Consider writing a bulleted list of your main points and then practice out loud without looking at it to challenge yourself.

3. Stick to your routine

The day before an interview is a time to stick to what you know, not try any crazy skincare trend, exercise or diet. You certainly don’t want to wake up in the morning with a bad reaction while looking or feeling unprofessional. Instead, try to maintain your normal habits as much as possible so you don’t shock your system and add unnecessary stress.

4. Plan your route

The worst thing you can do on the morning of your interview is to scramble around trying to figure out how to get there. Instead, plan your route and travel time the day before. Consider using a taxi or ridesharing service to avoid train schedule delays and map out the most efficient route to take. This will eliminate additional stress and ensure you get to your interview on time.

5. Sleep

It’s never a good idea to enter an interview feeling exhausted or irritable. Let your mood and brainpower recover and get some sleep the night before. If your stress about the upcoming interview keeps you up at night, find the most effective relaxation technique for you. Whether that’s meditating, cozying up in a comfortable mattress, or trying out a soothing sounds machine, test out a few methods to ensure you’re ready to go on the morning of the interview.

An interview can be a nerve-racking experience, but it doesn’t have to be. Taking a few steps beforehand to prepare yourself for success can help set you up for an effective interview.


This post first appeared on the getsetResumes.com Blog

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