How to deal with job interview anxiety

So, you’ve found yourself in the hot seat… your hands are sweaty, your face is flushed, and your heart is racing. Maybe you’re talking too fast, or your voice just won’t stop shaking.

Job interview anxiety happens to the best of us.

Whether your anxiety is caused by fear of not getting the job, having to talk about yourself, being judged by strangers, or being scared you’ll fumble when answering a question; it is completely normal to feel stressed.

These feelings of anxiety before going into a job interview can actually be utilised in a positive way. You can channel these feelings into productive actions that will help you prepare for the interview and, hopefully, reduce some of this stress and anxiety.

So, if you are wanting to channel your anxiety into something productive, implement some of our tips that will help you prepare for your interview!

Do your research

Before going into an interview, it is well worth doing some research about the company you applied for. Knowing what the company actually does is crucial as this information can help guide your response to questions asked by the hiring manager. You can demonstrate how your skills and experiences will be relevant within the specific role as well as how they will be beneficial for the overall company.

You may also want to do a quick internet search of who will actually be involved in conducting your interview. If you can, search the company website, or have a look on LinkedIn, for the person you have been corresponding with. Matching a face to a name will boost your confidence as you will know what to expect and who you are meeting, making you feel more prepared. Besides, you don’t want to accidentally introduce yourself to the wrong person if you’re under the assumption that they will be the person conducting the interview.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

No matter if this is your first job interview or your 100 ^th , it is worth having a practice run, whether it be by yourself or with someone else.

Start this process by doing a quick Google of “common job interview questions ”. Some of these could include:

• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• How do you deal with stress?

And perhaps, the hardest of them all:

• Tell me about yourself?

Think about these questions and how you will answer them. It may be helpful to physically write down both the question and your answer, or, reciting it to yourself may be what works best for you. An important point to keep in mind, don’t make yourself memorise your answers word-for-word. The questions may be asked differently and, you may become flustered if the exact wording doesn’t match or it may cause more stress if you are trying to recite your answer word-for-word and forget part of it, causing you to fumble over the wording and not answer coherently. Additionally, you may sound rehearsed and less authentic!

Have a trusted friend or family member ask you some interview questions so that you can practice answering on the spot. They can ask the same question in a number of ways so that you familiarise yourself with being flexible with your responses.

If there is a question you find yourself struggling to answer, don’t ignore it in the hopes it won’t be asked during your interview! Make sure you tackle these harder questions head-on so that you are at least somewhat prepared for it.

You should also take the time to think about any questions you have for the hiring manager. This could be about the next step in the hiring process, the company, or the job itself. It is beneficial that you have at least a few questions in mind in case one gets answered throughout the interview. In doing so, you will also look prepared and as though you have given the role and company a lot of thought and consideration. A few examples of questions you could ask are:

• What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the role?
• What is the workplace culture like?
• Are there opportunities for training within this role?

In an interview, it is normal to be nervous, which can make us forgetful. Don’t be afraid to write these questions down in a notebook or on your phone, and ask the hiring manager if you can pull them out when they ask you if you have any questions.

Be prepared

Before the day of your interview, write down a cheat sheet. This can include the hiring manager’s name, the time of the interview, the address, your practice answers, and any questions you have about the job. Obviously, don’t pull this out when you are answering questions. It may be helpful when you are asked if you have any questions at the end of the interview, especially if you feel flustered and as though you are forgetting what you wanted to ask.

To feel more prepared and to prevent any last-minute rushing on the day, make sure you know how you are getting to the place of the interview and check if there are any delays from roadworks. Additionally, figure out what you want to wear to the interview at least a day in advance. It’ll give you time to check that it’s clean and has no visible stains!

Depending on what else you have on in the hours leading up to your interview, you should take some time to relax. You could go for a walk, meditate, listen to some music, whatever works for you! A relaxing activity will help clear your mind and stop any anxiety-inducing thoughts from racing around your head.

Make sure you eat something before the interview. It could be something healthy to boost your energy or a bit of comfort food. You don’t want to be sitting in the interview having your stomach answer for you with a grumble, do you?

If you still happen to be running late and rushing after all this planning, once you arrive, and if there is time, go to the bathroom and splash some cold water over your hands and wrists, and dab some water behind your ears. This will help you cool down, ease your heartbeat, and will give you a moment to stop, breathe and collect your thoughts before the interview starts.

Remember, at the end of the day it is just a conversation. While you should be concerned about impressing the interviewer, keep in mind that they should also be making a positive impression on you; after all, you will be the one working for them.

So, you got the interview but feel as though aren’t qualified? Let us help you figure out how your skills and experiences are transferable to any job, regardless of the industry or discipline. Ask us a question or have a look at our tips on what to do if you don’t meet all of the job requirements.