Five Ways to Prepare Yourself for a Therapy Job Interview

Being mentally prepared for your therapy job interview will increase your chances of acing it. Even if you have an outstanding resume but you fail to stay composed and relaxed, the interviewer will sense your lack of self confidence.

Try these five practices to have a proper mindset for your job interview:

1. Do some quick exercise. Before your interview, go for a quick walk to help you calm down. Not only does it make you forget about your nervousness, but it also gets the blood flowing through out your body. Try a simple exercise that you are comfortable with. Keep your muscles relaxed and build up your energy level.
    
2. Create a list of difficult interview questions. What do you think the interviewer will ask you? Write those possible interview questions they would ask therapists. Usually the tricky questions are about your strengths and weaknesses. Think of the perfect answers. You don't have to memorize it but by mentally preparing yourself, it will release your insecurities.
    
3. Sell yourself to yourself. Take a moment to think why you are the perfect candidate. Why should they hire you? Look in your interviewer's eyes and believe that you really are perfect for that therapy job to be able to convince them. Along with your job application and therapist resume, bring your confidence with you!
    
4. Dress professionally. Pick that perfect corporate outfit for your interview. Look at yourself in the mirror and give yourself a nod of approval. Looking good can make a huge difference in how you present yourself.
    
5. Visualize yourself. This one is fun! When you are having that anxiety moment, try imagining yourself with the interviewer. Imagine yourself relaxed, confident and succeeded in getting the job. According to a book, "psycho-cybernetics" by Dr. Maxwell Maltz, visualizing yourself succeed can help you in whatever you want to do. Keep a positive attitude.

Practice these daily before your therapy job interview. By the time you're at the interview, it will seem like you've been through the process before. Get in the right mindset and blow your interviewers away! Good luck, therapists.