Confidence tricks
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Eleanor Roosevelt said \'No-one can make you feel inferior without your consent\'. It\'s common to get stage fright before an interview or starting a new job but it all boils down to a question of confidence - we show you how to activate your dynamism
Get lippy
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woman applying lip gloss
Research shows that interviewers rate women who wear lipstick as more serious, friendly and mature than those who don\'t
Relax
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Before going in to your interview, take some deep breaths, relax your shoulders and tell yourself you are going to enjoy it. Then enter the room with a smile and shake hands firmly
Think positive
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This means not allowing yourself to say \'I can\'t cope with this interview\' or \'They will hate me\' or \'I\'m terrified\'. You should think instead \'I know I can do well in this interview\' and \'They are going to be impressed with me\' and \'I am going to enjoy this\'
Negotiate difficult questions
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woman being interviewed
Everyone hates being asked what their weak points are. But in reality this is just another opportunity to talk about your strengths. Don\'t say \'I\'m impatient\', say \'I like to see results quickly\'. And instead of saying \'I get bored easily\', say \'I enjoy taking responsibility\'
At the interview - speak up
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woman being interviewed
Don\'t be afraid to pause before you answer a question. This will give you a chance to think, take a deep breath and make eye contact. Breathing deeply from the lower lungs will help you to relax and speak in a confident tone of voice
Handle rejection positively
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Remember that rejection of your application is not rejection of you as a person. Use what you have learned from the interview to make your next application even stronger
First day at work
careers,self improvement
nervous woman
Most of us find starting a new job overwhelming – you feel you stick out like a sore thumb, you can\'t find the loo, and you can\'t remember anyone\'s names. But don\'t feel that you have to achieve great things right from the start. Most companies allow a few weeks for settling in before expecting you to be a fully productive team member. Here\'s how to get though those first daunting days...
Clothes
careers,self improvement,your life
business woman
Wear an outfit that you look and feel good in. If you feel confident, you\'ll look confident to others
Making an impression
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Treat the first day like a job interview because this is when your new colleagues will form powerful first impressions of you. Arrive in plenty of time. Introduce yourself. Be polite and friendly to your new colleagues, and take an interest in everyone you meet. Remember to make eye contact when you say hello
Asking questions
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business colleagues talking
No one will expect you to know it all, so asking questions won\'t make you look incompetent. Most people will like to be asked to help – it makes them more aware of how much they know!
Chin up
careers,self improvement,your life
smiling business woman
Finally – keep a positive, cheerful attitude even if you are feeling rather overwhelmed and downhearted inside. People who are upbeat and co-operative generally make better team members than complainers and ill-tempered people
More in careers on handbag.com
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Not getting where you want to be? Take the
plunge onto a new career path. Finding work a struggle? Then read our tips on how to have a more
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