Shaking Off Anxiety Prior to the Interview

John Krautzel
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Many job seekers suffer from interview anxiety. As a job interview is such an important phase in the job search process, it is only natural to feel some nerves. However, if interview anxiety is sabotaging your efforts to find a job, try using these calming tips to help yourself focus and better prepare for what lies ahead come the big day.

One of the main causes of interview anxiety — and something that good planning can help to relieve — is not knowing what to expect at the interview. Take the time before the interview to prepare answers to common questions, such as "why do you want to work here?" Tricky questions like "what is your greatest weakness?" can be difficult to answer well on the spot, so spend some time thinking about how to respond to them before you enter the interview room.

If you want to be really prepared for your interview, then why not have a dress rehearsal beforehand? You might feel a bit silly getting dressed up in your interview clothes, but it can help put you in the right mindset to succeed. You can also drive by the place where the interview will be held to make sure you know how to get there on the day. Next, get a friend to give you a mock interview with questions similar to those you expect to face in the real thing. Proving to yourself that you can respond well to questioning could help reduce interview anxiety.

Once you have prepared for the interview as best as you can, it's time to take your mind off it with pleasant distractions. Try watching a comedy show to improve your mood with laughter, or spend time with an entertaining group of friends. Many people also find that music can uplift their mood and lessen their interview anxiety. Make a playlist of your favorite confidence-boosting songs, and listen to it on the morning of your interview to motivate yourself to succeed.

Finally, remember to smile. Not only does smiling make you appear more confident and friendly to the interviewer, but it can also make you feel better about yourself. Staying positive and focusing on the prize of working for the company can help you to perform better in even the most difficult interviews, so it is a technique that is worth perfecting.

Interview anxiety affects most job seekers at some point during their job hunt. However, you don't have to let nerves spoil your chance of having a successful and rewarding career. By preparing well for your interview and regularly taking time out of your job search to relax, you can overcome interview anxiety and land the job of your dreams.


Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 
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  • FASIL A.
    FASIL A. •

    I am usually confident in my qualification for the job in question. Otherwise, you won't see me waiting to get interviewed. If on the other had Te interview. ended up in personality conflict and competition with the interviewer. too bad I am not looking forward to work with people proud of exhibiting their negative energy, it's. bye, see ya , I don't wanna be ya. And move on to a different job.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Brianna that is so true. At least, in an in-person interview, you can look at their face and read off of it as you answer questions. Over the phone you have no idea what kind of expressions they are have as you are speaking. But, if you listen, you can tell whether they are smiling or not. If you have a phone interview, have your resume and the job posting in front of you as you are speaking to the interviewer. Also any other material you might need can be right there whereas in an in-person interview, you can't have all of that stuff on your lap! So there is that benefit to having a phone interview! And also, the interviewer can't see your face, either so that levels the playing field. Best of luck.

  • Brianna Lutmer
    Brianna Lutmer •

    I think I get more nervous over interviews on the phone than I do when in person. To me, it kind of depends on how the interviewer presents him or herself. At first, I'm really nervous, but if they have a smile and seem friendly, it's a lot easier to talk to them.

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