Job interviews can be pretty nerve-racking causing us to lose our train of thought and not “perform” to the standards that we would ideally have liked to. You might feel uncomfortable “selling” yourself or fielding unforeseen questions, or the prospect of meeting and impressing new people can cause you anxiety. From sweaty palms, to dryness in the mouth or nausea, you can experience all kinds of symptoms. The comforting part however is that you are not alone! Almost all jobseekers find interviews stressful. But the trick is to appear as normal as possible and get through the ordeal successfully. The art is controlling your stress and appearing as likable even in the face of adversity!
During interviews, most jobseekers become so nervous that they either get tongue-tied or blabber too much.While few people welcome stress, the reality is that a manageable level of anxiety can actually perk up your performance.It can quicken your mind, sharpen your conversation and pump more adrenaline into your system. But if your blood pressure rises too much and your palms get sweaty, it’s time to control your reactions!
So here are some simple techniques that can relax you and help you through your interview woes:
Stay calm and relaxed:
The self-imposed stress of trying to ace an interview can make you focus too much on how you look and act. Even preparing your responses well in advance can hurt if you’re too nervous. It can choke your spontaneity and your capability to field the unforeseen questions.So, remind yourself that whatever happens, you’ll live to survive another day! And the less you fret about making slip-ups, the less anxious you will be.
Sleep well and plan ahead:
It’s great to plan ahead in order to do away with any kind of stress.This means sleeping early the night before your interview and reaching the venue a little before the scheduled time. Rushing, getting lost or the dread of being late can all provoke anxiety and set the panic button on. So print out the directions of the desired location and try to arrive 30 minutes early. Listen to some calming music on the way to unwind and relax a bit.
Know your etiquette:
What do you do when you feel stressed? Do you chew your nails, grind your teeth or twirl your hair? Right down each gesture and try solving these issues prior to the interview. For instance; if you bite your nails then clip them to avoid any distraction. Your body language also has a very important role to play here. It can say more than your words and can easily reveal that you are stressed and fidgety. So after talking to your recruiter for some time, try to lean forward in your chair. This will reveal that you’re engaged and listening. Also, smile while you talk as it releases tension in your muscles and transforms your perspective into a more positive one. It also makes you feel and look more confident. Plus, a returned smile also eases anxiousness.
Research well:
Stress is caused partly by uncertainty! So the more you lessen the uncertainty, the lesser stress you are likely to feel. Research your prospective employer well and prepare answers to the regular questions. Every bit of groundwork will help you relax and make you feel more confident. Gather as much information as possible to gain a sense of control. Research about the industry and job extensively so that you have a thorough knowledge of what your interviewer is looking for and what it is about your silhouette that can be remarkably significant to the job in question and can directly impact the bottom line.
Take your time and don’t succumb to pressure:
You might be interviewed by somebody who grills you to see how you tackle stress. If you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t let the interviewer ruffle your feathers. Know that the other people were treated the same way and that it’s not an indication of your capabilities or you.
There are numerous ways to reduce stress and ease your nerves before an interview. Just figure out what works best for you. Remember that you have to believe in yourself in order for anyone else to think it’s worth believing in you. Being well-prepared is a great antidote to stress. Lowering the stakes can also reduce your stress level significantly.
