During the entire process of becoming a board-certified physician, you will be giving many interviews. Whether getting selected for med school, residency, or your first job as a licensed physician, you will have to take interviews every step of the way. Hence it is vital to be good at them.

The key to having a successful interview is to build and show confidence. Hence in this article, we will discuss some tricks you can use to feel and appear more confident during your interviews

1. Make sure you are overprepared:
   
   The trick to having confidence in any situation is to over-prepare and make it seem as natural as possible. Preparation is the key to confidence during an interview. There is no easy trick around it. You have to work hard and prepare well for your interview to become confident and do well.
   
   To do this, you can consider what the interviewer may ask you and prepare your answers beforehand. Of course, you must ensure you are not memorizing your answers word for word. Instead, have a general idea about what you want to say. Also, you can try giving these answers in front of a mirror. (or even your dog will do!)
   
2. Don't let the pressure get to you:
   
   Though talking out loud to yourself will help you figure out what you want to say, you cannot be entirely sure if you are saying it right. What if the interviewer asks you a cross-question that you didn't anticipate? Also, answering questions alone in the comfort of your home will be much different from saying them in front of a panel of interviewers.
   
   Hence, it is best to practice getting out of your comfort zone and asking your friends or family to interview you. You must ask them to spare no feelings and be honest about your performance. They can give you many good pointers about your performance which you will not have figured out by yourself.
   
   Having constructive criticism during your mock interview will help you prepare better and build more confidence for the actual interview.
   
3. Manage your body language:
   
   The way you carry yourself and your body language say a lot about you as a person. For example, your body language can make you seem shy, anxious, and arrogant without speaking a word. But, on the other hand, it can also make you appear confident, welcoming, and charismatic.
   
   Hence, it is vital that you practice positive body language during your interview. For example, you should stand straight, keep your chin up, put your shoulders back, make eye contact, and smile authentically. Also, when your body language is positive and confident, it automatically makes you feel confident.
   
4. Dress to impress:
   
   
   
   You should wear something that makes you feel pleasant and confident. When you look at the part, you will feel the part. Before the day of the interview, you should try out your wardrobe and select the outfit that makes you feel the most confident. It would be best if you also ensured it is comfortable to wear and move around.
   
   During your interview, they will not judge you on your fashion sense. So you should wear something which looks sharp and professional, without catching too much attention.
   
5. Don't arrive on time. Arrive early:
   
   Being late for an interview will not only cause stress that puts you off your game but will also create a wrong impression on your interviewers. Hence it is vital that you reach the campus before the specified time.
   
   To do this, you have to plan everything. For example, you need to know the transport you will use, when you wake up, when you want to depart, etc. Additionally, it would be best if you allowed some buffer time in case things go wrong, such as more traffic than usual. Arriving earlier than the given time will also allow you to become more comfortable in the environment. It will also help boost your confidence.
   
6. Practice common questions in advance:
   
   There are some common questions that all interviewers will ask you. Therefore, it will be great to be prepared to answer those questions. To do this, you can search for common interview questions and prepare your answers.
   
   But it doesn't mean you need to start typing paragraphs of answers and memorize them. Ideally, you should write down all the points you want to include in the response and practice speaking the answer in front of a mirror or a family member. During the interview, your answer should seem natural and not scripted.
   
7. Think before you speak:
   
   
   
   Though it is very tempting to answer as soon as the interviewer has asked the question, it is wiser to pause and think before you answer. It will help you understand the question and collect your thoughts before speaking.
   
   This way, you will be able to give an answer that the interviewer wants to hear and not stammer while giving your answer. In addition, it will make you sound more confident and qualified to get selected.
   
8. Set the stage and grab some cheat sheets for virtual interviews:
   
   When you are giving your interview through a video call, you can create an environment around you that will help you focus. Make sure that no one will disturb you during the interview, and there won't be any unexpected noises.
   
   It would be best to keep a diary, pen, and water bottle handy during the interview. Also, even though the discussion is on a video call, ensure you dress appropriately. You can also keep a check sheet in front of you to help you during the interview in case you get stuck somewhere. Creating a suitable environment and being prepared for the interview will boost your confidence, which will reflect during the interview.
   

Wrap up:

Now that you understand these simple and effective tricks, you can use these throughout your career and get selected for whatever you apply. Though practicing and applying these tips may need you to invest more time in your interview preparation, it will be worth your efforts.