Preparing for an interview includes researching the company and the position they have open, practicing common questions that interviewers ask, and calming yourself down to have the right mindset during the meeting.
Despite knowing what to do and what to expect, most people are still nervous about going to their job interviews. Different people have various ways to deal with anxiety before going to meet your interviewer.
1. Preparing for the worst-case scenarios
Knowing that even if you prepare extensively about the company you are applying for and the common questions you could be asked, things could still take unexpected turns. However, whatever the interviewer throws at you, there would always be an answer that would impress them.
If you are concerned about your lack of a good response to a complicated question, you could learn how to be proactive and work your way around the question without avoiding it entirely. If you plan ahead, even the most unexpected situations become simple.
2. The S.T.O.P. Method
The S.T.O.P. Method, according to executive coach Charis Charyk, is a mental trick that would help you overcome a stressful scenario. It includes four steps: Stop and focus on your thoughts, Take a few long and deep breaths, Observe yourself and your emotions, and Proceed to incorporate what you learned into the interview.
The most crucial thing about using this method is it lets you understand what you need to do in order to calm yourself and the feelings that are starting to take control of you, and how to deal with them properly. The process takes you through the road to discipline your body, mind, and heart.
3. Create a Cheat Sheet
Preparing for all scenarios is impossible and, more often than not, would only burn you out, but preparing as much as you could is one of the best ways to tackle anxiety. The more you think about and plan ahead, the less worried you would be when you actually meet your interviewer.
You could write on a sheet or use your phone’s built-in app to keep track of critical information, ideas, questions, and body language that you need to look out for. Then, skim through the list every now and then beforehand so that you could be prepared for nearly anything your interviewer could ask.
4. Socialize with positive friends or family members
Sometimes being alone worsens anxiety by leaving you alone with your thoughts and fears. Reaching out and communicating with a friend that could help ease your worries is a simple and fun way to become more confident with yourself.
If you cannot give yourself the support that you need to feel calm about your upcoming interview, there is always someone else that could help you become a better you.
5. Use stress to your advantage
Many people say that nervousness and adrenaline are highly correlated, which is why some official studies found that being in the mindset of “I’m excited” is much better than thinking “I’m calm” in cases like public speaking.
If you start to feel the pressure just before the interview, accept it and just go with it. Mark Slack, a muse writer and consultant, said, “By refraining your nervous energy as excited energy, you can still feel amped up, just in a way that helps you perform better instead of a way that hinders you.”
6. Remind yourself you are just talking with another human being
One of the simplest ways to overcome anxiety before a job interview is remembering that your interviewer is only human like you. The best way to think about the meeting is just having a nice conversation about your job or career with one or two people.
In his article “How to Keep Your Cool When You Interview With Your Dream Company,” Richard Moy wrote in his article “How to Keep Your Cool When You Interview With Your Dream Company” about dealing with the situation. He said that as much as you want to get hired and work with them, they more or less are excited to have you on their team, The Muse said.
