Interviewing for a new job can be an incredibly nerve-wracking experience. In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to forget important talking points and feel anxious in response to tough questions.
But believe it or not, it’s totally possible to remain calm during the proudest (and scariest) moments!
Here are some tips on how to keep your cool while interviewing and make sure you put your best self forward.
23 Ways to Calm Yourself and Stay Composed during Your Big Moment
- Preparation Is Key
- Practice Deep Breathing
- Clear Your Head
- Know Who You’re Meeting
- Reframe Negative Thoughts
- Use Visualization Techniques
- Eat a Good Breakfast
- Practice with a Mock Interview
- Try the STOP Method
- Dress for Success
- Embrace Your Job Interview Nerves
- Arrive Early and Relax
- Consider the Interview a Conversation
- Focus On One Question at a Time
- Focus On Your Body Language
- Maintain Eye Contact
- Listen Carefully and Ask Questions
- Remember You’re Not Alone
- Stay Positive
- Show Confidence
- Be Yourself
- Take Time to Reflect
- Remember That You’re Prepared
Preparation Is Key
One of the best ways to feel relaxed during job interviews is to prepare in advance.
Take some time to research the company, review the job posting, and prepare answers to common interview questions. The more prepared you are, the calmer you’ll feel when sitting down for the interview.
Practice Deep Breathing
If you’re feeling anxious or tense during an interview, try practicing mindful breathing. Take a few slow, deep breaths, focusing on each inhale and exhale. This can be a great way to reduce stress and clear your mind before you answer interview questions.
Clear Your Head
If your mind is racing with thoughts about the interview, take a few minutes to write down any worries or fears you have. This simple exercise can help clear your head so that you can focus on the task at hand: nailing the job interview!
Know Who You’re Meeting
Knowing who you’re meeting ahead of time can also help to reduce anxiety.
If possible, try to find out the name and title of the people interviewing you so that you have a sense of familiarity when you enter the room.
Reframe Negative Thoughts
If you find yourself getting caught up in negative thoughts or self-doubt during your job search, try reframing your thinking. Instead of thinking “I’m never going to get this job,” try thinking “I’m doing my best and learning from this experience, no matter the outcome.”
If you start to feel too much pressure just before your interview, think of your positive mantra to keep your thoughts in check.
Use Visualization Techniques
Visualization is a powerful tool to use during job interviews.
Imagine yourself walking into the room, shaking hands confidently with the interviewer, answering questions clearly and concisely, acing the interview, and receiving the job offer. By visualizing success, you can feel confident and stay focused on your goals!
Eat a Good Breakfast
It’s always a good idea to fuel up with a hearty breakfast before an interview. This will give you the energy and focus you need to be calm during the meeting.
However, try to avoid excessive amounts of caffeine or sugary snacks before your job interview. It can be hard to stay focused and relaxed in the moment if your feel jittery.
Practice with a Mock Interview
Setting up mock interviews with a friend or family member is a great way to practice your interview skills. This will help you get more comfortable with answering questions and give you more experience in an in-person interview.
You can even record the interview rehearsal and watch it back to see where you can improve!
Try the STOP Method
The STOP method (Stop, Take a breath, Observe your thoughts and feelings, Proceed with kindness) is a great way to bring yourself back to the present moment and focus on calming down. This practice can help you stay in the moment and avoid getting too caught up in anxious or negative thinking.
Dress for Success
What you wear to an interview can also help you feel calmer. Dressing appropriately shows respect for yourself and the hiring manager, and can help you feel more professional.
Choose an outfit that makes you feel comfortable. If possible, try it on ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious on the day of your interview.
Embrace Your Job Interview Nerves
It’s important to remember that feeling nervous before an interview is completely normal. Instead of trying to completely calm your nerves, try embracing them as a sign that you care about the opportunity.
Take a few deep breaths, remind yourself that interview nerves are natural, and try to channel that nervous energy into enthusiasm and focus.
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Arrive Early and Relax
Make sure you arrive for your interview early so that you have plenty of time to relax before the big moment. Showing up late can cause even more stress and anxiety!
Give yourself a few minutes to review your notes, and practice positive self-talk before you enter the room.
Consider the Interview a Conversation
If you’re feeling overwhelmed when thinking about job interviews, try to remember that it’s just a conversation. Focus on the opportunity to showcase your skills and knowledge, and remember that the interviewer is actually just another human being looking for an ideal candidate. When you think of it this way, the interview can be much less intimidating!
Focus On One Question at a Time
When you’re in the interview, try to focus on one question at a time and answer it as best you can. This will help keep your responses strong and organized, and prevent you from getting overwhelmed during the process.
Focus On Your Body Language
Believe it or not, your body language can have a big impact on how you feel during a stressful event.
Sitting up straight and keeping a pleasant expression will make you feel more in control. These small details will also help demonstrate your professionalism and confidence.
Maintain Eye Contact
Eye contact makes a great interview. It shows the person interviewing that you’re interested in the conversation, and it also helps in connecting with them.
If you’re prone to looking away or down, try to practice maintaining eye contact with people you know, such as family or friends. By training yourself to hold eye contact, it becomes easier when you’re in the interview room.
Listen Carefully and Ask Questions
When you’re feeling overwhelmed during an interview, it can be easy to space out or not understand the question being asked of you.
To stay cool, take your time and listen carefully before responding. If necessary, repeat back the the questions/prompts of the interviewer to ensure you’ve understood them correctly, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if needed.
Remember You’re Not Alone
Lots of other job seekers are going through the same thing, and there are plenty of resources available to help make your interview experience smoother.
Do some research or talk to someone who has been through it before—they can give valuable advice on how to prepare and stay calm during interviews.
Stay Positive
Remember to stay positive throughout your job interview. Try to focus on why this job would be a great fit for you and how you’ll be able to add value to the company.
Keeping an optimistic attitude will make it easier for you to relax and give confident answers.
Show Confidence
Appearing confident is one of the best ways to make a good impression during an interview. Even if you’re feeling nervous, try to take a few deep breaths, smile and maintain an upbeat tone.
Confidence should come from within, so remind yourself of your accomplishments and strengths before going into the interview room!
Be Yourself
Remember that employers want to get to know you, not some version of who you think they want you to be.
Don’t try too hard to be something you’re not! Be genuine and honest in your answers. Employers appreciate candidates who can be themselves and have confidence in their abilities.
Take Time to Reflect
No matter how the interview goes, always take some time to reflect afterwards. Think about what went well and what could’ve gone better so that you can improve for the next one. You can even talk to someone who was in the room or read back over your notes if needed.
Remember that every interview is an opportunity to learn and grow—even if it doesn’t end with a job offer. With practice and preparation, you’ll eventually find the role that’s perfect for you!
Remember That You’re Prepared
Above all else, remember that you’ve done the hard work of preparing for your upcoming job interview. Remind yourself that you have the skills and qualifications needed to do well—now it’s time to show them off!
Final Thoughts
Interview anxiety is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to control your performance. Self-preparation, positive thinking, breathing exercises, and putting things in perspective can make all the difference in how you perform during an interview.
Remember, staying calm and exuding confidence can increase your chances of nailing that interview so that you can ultimately land that dream job!
If you’re looking for a company that’s supportive of your needs and goals, get in touch with us today! We’d love to help you reach your career aspirations!
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