Are you feeling like you are about to jump out of a plane when going for a job interview? Here are 5 tips to ease out of job interview anxiety.
You’ve finally secured an interview, and the butterflies in your stomach are up and fluttering away. You are probably feeling like the main character in Eminem’s song "Lose Yourself,” -
“His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There’s vomit on his sweater already, mom’s spaghetti
He’s nervous, but on the surface, he looks calm and ready
To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgetting
What he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loud
He opens his mouth, but the words won’t come out
He’s choking, how, everybody’s joking now
The clocks run out, times up, over, blow!”
Well, it’s normal to feel pressure and nervous energy before going for an interview. The good news is that there are so many things you can do to get rid of the nervous energy and be your best during the interview. Even with all your knowledge, experience, and skills, confidence earns you an extra point during an interview. If you don’t believe in yourself, how do you expect other people to believe in your capabilities?
Luckily, you don’t have to take hours or weeks to boost your confidence before an interview. Apply these 5 proven tips to regain your confidence and clear out job interview anxiety.
5 tips to get rid of job interview anxiety
1. Silence negative thoughts
The human brain is wired to maximize reward and minimize danger. Therefore, when faced with an uncertain outcome like an interview, your mind will come up with all the possible negative scenarios to prepare you for the danger. Expect to have intuitive thoughts such as:
“Maybe I'm not destined to get that job. Look at how everyone else has more qualifications, experience, and skills. Besides, opportunities like these are already pre-determined. They already know who they are going to hire.”
You need to recognize negative intrusive thoughts and come back to reality. Silencing intrusive thoughts is not as easy as it sounds, but you can teach yourself to return to reality and be more present.
2. Humanize the interview process
The truth is that intrusive thoughts will have you demonizing the hiring manager before you even walk into the room. The interviewer is there to analyze your skills, experience, personality, and knowledge. The reality is that your cover letter and resume stood out from the rest of the applications. You were requested to come in because the interviewer wanted to know more about you. The truth is the interviewer is on your side and wants to offer a decent opportunity to someone who will add value to their business.
3. Give yourself a pep talk in the mirror
On the days leading up to the interview, create a routine that allows you to keep reminding yourself that you are good enough (cue ‘The Man’ by Aloe Blacc). Think of a mantra that makes you believe in yourself and your ability to succeed in the interview. For starters, you can stand in front of the mirror and say, “I am the best version of myself, and this job is mine.”
4. Get perspective
Be mindful that a job interview is a simple conversation between you and the hiring manager. Sitting on the other end of the desk, the hiring manager is a human being with similar struggles, doubts, and fears as you. Take a deep breath and allow yourself to use the interview as a learning opportunity. Don’t let the intrusive thoughts turn the hiring manager into a monster out to get you. Try visualizing a conversation with a friend or family member rather than a stranger.
5. Focus on gratitude
With all the intrusive thoughts swarming in your brain, you need all the positivity you can get. Reel yourself back to the positive side of life by focusing on the things and people you are grateful for. Allowing yourself to bask in the positivity will help veer you to a more positive outlook on the interview and improve your self-confidence. Gratitude coupled with meditation will get you in the right headspace to focus on having a successful interview.
Conclusion
Using these tips to regain your confidence and eliminate job interview anxiety, you will become a more engaging, interesting, and memorable interviewee. Always remember that you have what it takes to be the best candidate.
