It’s time for a face to face meeting. You’ve done your homework. You have a great resume. You’ve made the right connections.  Now it’s show time – and the panic begins. 

Breathe.  Before you step into the building, or into the office, take a nice deep breath in through the nose.  Fill your belly with the breath and let it out slowly.

Smile.  If you look happy, you’ll begin to feel happy.  Relax your face, shoulders and neck.  You will immediately put the person you are speaking with at ease.

Slow down.  When you are nervous or excited it’s natural to speed up.  I’m the worst offender here.  My husband claims his ears don’t work fast enough to keep up with my mouth.  Give yourself permission to slow down.  And it’s okay to pause and gather your thoughts.  Better than blurting out something you will instantly regret saying.

Dress the part.  Actors know this.  You put the costume on and you begin to feel the part.  Better to overdress than under dress.  Make sure your clothes are clean, pressed and up-to-date, and fit well.

Listen.  A conversation is a two way street.  It’s dating advice 101.  People love to talk about themselves and their organizations.  Give him a chance to talk and he’ll think you’re brilliant simply because you listened and then asked the right relevant questions.

Enjoy.  You’re meeting new people.  You’re getting an inside look at an organization you may be interested in working with.   It’s a learning experience.  And I guarantee you’ll get better and better at it.

P.S. A firm handshake is a must.  If you have sweaty palms, wipe your hand before you step into the building. 

Posted by: Camilla Dadey

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