Latest news with #2025Graduates
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Practice For High-Pressure Job Interviews, According To Science
Practice job interviews on video using a smartphone. Graduates from the class of 2025 are entering a tough job market as employers slow their hiring plans. While experts blame everything from economic uncertainty to the rise of AI, there's no question that young grads are facing an 'employment crisis' according to the Wall Street Journal. Recruiters say jobs are still available, but with more people vying for fewer openings, hiring managers are more selective and draw out the hiring process. So if you do land a coveted face-to-face job interview, you must take steps to be different, stand out, and rise above the competition. If you want to be the job candidate no employer can refuse, you'll have to be ready to perform your best when the stakes are high and the pressure is on. The good news is that you can meet the moment if you train like high-performance athletes get ready for big games. They don't just study game plans. They simulate the real thing. Cognitive psychologists call stress exposure training (SET) a proven method to help people perform under pressure. It involves exposing people to increased levels of stress during practice. Although stress exposure is typically used to train athletes, pilots, military and law enforcement professionals, it's an excellent strategy to alleviate anxiety and build confidence for presentations and job interviews. The goal is to mirror real-world conditions during practice. Don't confuse practice with preparation. Preparing for a job interview is what you do when you research the company, the role, and what the company is looking for. Preparation also includes identifying potential questions and developing the strongest answers. Once you've prepared, though, it's time to practice the right way. Recite the answers you've created for potential questions. Ahead of job interviews, most people think about what they'll say, but when they open their mouth they don't sound as good as they did in their head. It's like playing golf. In my head, I'm Tiger Woods…until I step up to the tee. How do your answers sound when you transfer them from your head to your mouth? There's only one way to find out, and it's out loud. Start adding a little pressure to your practice sessions. One way to crank up the nerves slightly is to use your phone to record your answers on video. As you watch your recording, you'll likely catch a few problems that are easy to fix. For example, you might be using too many filler words like 'uh,' 'um,' or 'you know?' Too many filler words can become an annoying distraction and diminish your ability to come across as competent and confidence. Catch them early. Turn up the pressure by asking a friend or peer to play the role of interviewer. Hand them the questions you expect to be asked in the real interview. Direct your friend to mix up the questions every time and to interrupt you from time to time. Give your friend permission to challenge you and make the interview as unpredictable as possible. Ask your friend to ask some tough questions, especially ones that you'd prefer to avoid. For example, 'Tell me more about the gap in your work experience' or 'Can you explain this poor performance review on your record?' Even if you know the hard questions that might be coming, your brain and body will respond as if they're under threat. Get in the habit of keeping your cool. Although I'd recommend that you practice for at least ten sessions, some studies find that just four to seven high-quality and thorough practice sessions can significantly boost your confidence and alleviate your anxiety. Mirror real-world conditions in practice and your body, voice, and mind will be ready to shine when it's time to perform for real.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UMass Amherst hosts 155th commencement with 20,000 attendees
AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – Friday marked an important milestone in the lives of the 2025 UMass Amherst graduating class. It was the start of three days of special events, celebrating the university's 155th commencement. It was a proud moment for these graduates as they were recognized for their hard work and dedication over the years. Long lines of UMass Amherst graduates, dressed in their caps and gowns, made their way into McGuirk Alumni Stadium for the university's main commencement ceremony. It was a day of many emotions, happiness for what's to come, and sadness for what's being left behind in Amherst. Olivia Nisenbaum, a finance major, told 22News, 'It's a little bittersweet, is what I've been saying to describe it because you know it's sad to be leaving, like we all had such a great time.' Aidan McGovern, a 3rd-generation UMass grad, tells 22News he's grateful for the trials and triumphs, and the friends he could lean on during both. 'It's fun to do with all those guys, too. It's been a blast. I've known them for so long and grown a lot with them,' he says. A crowd of nearly 20-thousand family members, friends, and faculty gathered to cheer on their loved ones and witness this significant moment in their lives. These graduates are ready to embark on their journey, equipped with the knowledge and skills gained from their education, and are eager to start their careers in various fields. One parent told us it's a full circle moment, with their son closing this chapter at UMass and beginning a new one with the NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers, starting in sales. 'I think it's very exciting because then that learning journey continues, and I'm glad he's got a job in the field of his choice, which is sports,' says PR Ganapathy. 'Because then that means he's going to apply some of the stuff he's learned.' And on this momentous day, a big congratulations to all the graduates! Throughout the weekend, senior recognition ceremonies will be taking place around campus, where graduates will be called on stage and be handed their degrees. More than 6,200 undergraduate students will be receiving degrees. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
