Your hands are shaking, your palms are sweaty, and you think you can hear every tick the clock makes as the seconds drag by. When the job interview is over, regardless of how it went, you’re so thankful to be out of it that you flee. This didn’t make a good impression with your employer, and you just experienced more stress than many people do in a normal work day.
What if you learned that you could avoid this scenario?
It turns out you can! By using some simple techniques, you can stay calm and concentrate on doing well in the interview without feeling like you’re running a marathon or performing CPR.
Preparation Before the Interview
Preparation in the days before the interview is the biggest key to reducing your stress. The more prepared you are, the more likely you are to feel confident about the interview. First, research where the company is located and how to get there, making sure you are familiar with the route. If possible, drive it ahead of time if it’s in a very unfamiliar location. Then, visit the company website and do some research to find out exactly what it does and where it operates. Look at the job description carefully so you can figure out keywords to incorporate into your interview.
General interview preparation can include coming up with possible questions and your answers, also preparing questions to ask the interviewer when you are given a chance. This shows an interest in the company and the job and makes you look well prepared and intelligent, while reducing your stress both before and during the interview.
The Day of the Interview
On the way to the interview, leave plenty of extra time to get there. Dress in conservative, appropriate, comfortable clothing, as that will boost your confidence and help reduce stress. Review your work history, examples of good and bad experiences and what you learned from them, and any other pertinent information from your career until now.
On your way to the interview, try to forget about it. Listen to music and sing along if possible, or read a book or your favorite magazine. Not focusing on the interview will help you reduce your stress and feel more confident when you arrive. Just before the interview, use the bathroom and check your appearance so you won’t stress about how you look.
During your job interview, make sure you appear comfortable talking to your interviewers. Don’t make the mistake of becoming overly familiar, but don’t appear hostile, standoffish, miserable, or flighty. If you feel your heart racing and anxiety growing, breathe steadily in through the nose for three seconds, then out, letting your stomach rise and fall. One more thing: remember to smile and show a positive attitude and you’ll impress them!
Throughout your career, you are likely to experience a number of job interviews. The more you practice interviews, like everything else, the less stressful it will become. Follow these tips and you’ll be cool and confident in no time!