You are not alone. 93% of interview candidates experience job interview anxiety.
Interview nerves are natural. Maybe it is your first job interview or an interview for a company you have always wanted to work for. No matter what the context, it would be abnormal not to feel any nerves!
But sometimes, nerves can get in the way of job interview preparation. The good news is there are ways to curb anxiety to manage and prepare for the interview! Read on to learn how.
Prepare for the Interview
Job interview preparation is vital. No matter how prepared you feel, or if interview anxiety makes you want to avoid practice, do it anyway! You will feel better and confident about the job interview.
Review the Job Description
Start by reviewing the job description. It may have been some time since you read the job description. You want to be as familiar as possible, so you can align your skills to what the job description requires.
Write Down Common Questions
Once you know the job description, think about what questions could come up. There are always common interview questions you can review and practice. Do not focus on memorizing everything for the interview, as it can cause more stress.
Note Your Qualities!
What are your qualities you want to show? You have the interview for a reason, so you just need to know how to present all your outstanding qualities. It makes it easier to draw on them when interview nerves are high.
Practice to Reduce Interview Nerves
Ask a friend or mentor to interview you. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but it allows you to practice difficult questions, such as ‘what are your weaknesses?’. The feedback will help you change anything and give you a confidence boost!
Get Advice
Do you know anyone who has gone through the interview process with this company or a similar one? It is helpful to speak to someone who has the experience to give you helpful pointers. And they will have an idea of what questions come up.
Research the Company
Have an idea about the company’s history and culture. You want to show you know the company and also that you have similar values.
An excellent place to start is their website. Find out the staffing structure and how they describe themselves. Also, Google reviews, social media, and LinkedIn often show employee experiences and values.
Do you know who will be interviewing you? If you do, you can consider their job post and how your role impacts them. Some questions may come from this standpoint.
If you know about the company, you can also ask some company-specific questions in the interview. It will demonstrate your knowledge and interest in the company.
Learn Relaxation and Confidence Techniques
Interview nervousness can also be managed with simple techniques. These techniques are general anxiety techniques that you can use in many situations. Practice during job interview preparation to learn which ones work for you.
Positive Thinking
Positive thinking can be said through gritted teeth at times, but it works! Whenever you catch yourself thinking something negatively, challenge it.
For example, why am I bothering with this job interview? Tell yourself, ‘I would not have the interview if they did not see potential in me.’
Visualization
It is natural to picture all the worst-case scenarios of a job interview. But what if you visualized a successful interview?
Find a quiet and comfortable place to sit. Picture yourself in the interview room and feel your confidence. Picture the conversation and how well it is going, with you making a great impression!
You can visualize in different ways, but this simple exercise can give you a boost of confidence!
Breathing Techniques
Breathing techniques help you prepare and manage interview nerves just before the meeting. There are various breathing techniques to try to slow anxiety and a busy mind.
A simple technique to start is the 4-7-8 technique. Breathe in for four counts, hold for seven counts, then exhale for eight. Complete at least four cycles of this.
And remember, you can always take a breathe and pause during the interview!
Make a Music Playlist
Make a playlist of motivating music that gets you focused and relaxed. For some people, classical music may work. And others may need a mix of music.
Listen to this music before your interview. Maybe even dance out any nerves.
Try a Pose
Try a power pose such as hands-on-hips and shoulders back to get into the zone. If you practice yoga, you can also try some poses before your interview. Certain poses can help ground you and focus your attention.
You can also practice your body language for the interview. Try not to fidget too much, and sit with your shoulders down and back. Practice making eye contact too.
Plan Job Interview Logistics
Do not leave logistics until the day of your job interview. Otherwise, you can create a lot of unnecessary stress before your interview starts.
Part of job interview preparation should also be to plan your route to the interview. Whatever mode of transportation you will use, leave enough time to get there!
Also, decide on what you want to wear for the interview. Usually, a company gives guidelines, and your research of the company will help. When in doubt, dress smartly.
Calming Techniques During the Job Interview
There are techniques you can use during the meeting to manage interview nervousness. Make sure to practice them before your interview to feel confident using them.
Do not be afraid to take a breath and pause. You can even say, ‘what a great question, I need a moment to think of the best example’ if you need.
You can also redirect questions at times. No one has an answer to every question. Stay calm as you pivot the question toward a similar comfortable subject.
Manage Job Interview Anxiety
Job interview anxiety is natural, but following these tips, you can stay in control. Even after the interview, take time to write what you remember. And always write a thank you note, and ask for feedback.
Confidence in interviews comes with practice and knowing what techniques help you. But remember, job interview preparation always helps!
The night before the interview, stop preparing and get an early night. And remember, they see your potential as you have an interview! Good luck!
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