How to deal with interview anxiety?
Are you nervous, anxious, or panicky before or during a job interview? No worries, that is normal. Job interview anxiety and stress are common and normal feelings that many people experience. However, they can also affect your performance and confidence negatively. Therefore, learn how to overcome them effectively and successfully.
Today, I will share four simple yet effective tips for overcoming job interview anxiety and stress. These tips are based on expert insights, best practices, and real-life examples. They are designed to help you prepare, relax, focus, and reward yourself before, during, and after your job interview. Whether you are looking for a new job, a career change, or a promotion, this article will help you achieve your career goals.
Prepare yourself
One of the best ways to reduce your job interview anxiety and stress is preparation. It means researching the company and the role, practicing common interview questions, dressing professionally and appropriately, and bringing all the necessary documents. By preparing yourself, you can boost your confidence and reduce your uncertainty and fear of the unknown.
For example, you can use Glassdoor to learn about the company’s culture, values, and reviews. Another way is to rehearse the questions and answers for the job interview. It is the best way to find a method that works for you and stick with it. The more you practice, the more confident you will become in answering questions effectively.
Relax yourself
Another way to cope with your job interview anxiety and stress is to relax before and during your job interview. It means breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or any other activity that helps you calm down and relax your mind and body. You can also listen to soothing music, read a positive affirmation, or talk to a supportive friend or family member. Relaxation can lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels and increase your serotonin and endorphin levels.
Specifically, you can use Headspace to meditate for 10 minutes before your job interview. Besides, you can use Calm to listen to relaxing sounds or stories during your commute and browse this YouTube channel to read daily motivational messages.
Focus on yourself
A third way to manage your job interview anxiety and stress is to focus on the present moment and the task. This means avoiding negative or distracting thoughts, such as “What if I fail?” “What if I say something stupid?” “What if they don’t like me,” etc. Instead, it would be best to focus on the positive aspects of the situation, such as what you can offer to the company, what you have achieved in the past, what you are passionate about, etc. Also, please focus on the interviewer’s questions and answer them clearly and concisely. Focusing on yourself can improve concentration, attention, and memory, reducing rumination and worry.
Reward yourself
A fourth way to deal with your job interview anxiety and stress is to reward yourself afterward. It means doing something that makes you happy, such as watching a movie, eating a treat, playing a game, or spending time with your loved ones. Similarly, congratulate yourself for doing your best and completing the job interview. You can reinforce your positive behavior and attitude and increase your self-esteem and motivation.
By following these four tips, you can overcome your job interview anxiety and stress effectively and successfully. Remember to prepare, relax, focus on yourself, and reward yourself. You are capable and worthy of getting the job you want. Good luck with your job interview!
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Also, you can check our YouTube videos for job-related, inspirational, and motivational videos. Thanks for reading, and see you at the next one.