Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when you struggle with anxiety. The experience of having to prove your worth and being evaluated by people can be really difficult and are major triggers of anxious feelings. This is completely normal and very common, although that doesn’t mean you should have to put up with it.
You must believe in yourself during the interview. If you feel worried that you’re being judged or aren’t good enough, remember that you have made it through to the interview. The employer is clearly impressed with what you have to offer. However, this is much easier said than done, so here are a few things you can do to help you feel prepared, reduce your anxiety, and show what you can do.
Before The Interview
One way to reduce your anxious feelings is to feel prepared going into the interview by having a good knowledge of the industry and business. Spend a few evenings researching the company, their values, and what skills they are looking for in a candidate. Also, think about different examples in your working life that demonstrate these skills and explain how they will transfer to this role.
Another thing you might be concerned about is not remembering what you have researched. A simple and effective tip is to read through the information a few times, and rather than trying to memorize it on your own, get some friends or family members to ask a few questions. Then chat with them about the company. This method simulates the interview situation while improving your ability to remember the information, thus making your knowledge seem more natural.
Another tip is to pick out your interview clothing a few days in advance. The last thing you want is the last-minute panic of needing to buy an outfit the morning of the interview or to find out that what you wanted to wear is damaged or unclean. Take out your outfit, try it on and make sure everything fits properly and is unwrinkled. Then you can neatly hang it in your closet, ready for the big day. Doing this will help remove unnecessary stress before the interview.
Finally, consider practicing meditation in the run-up to your interview. The continuous focus on the breath will be very useful if you are struggling with anxious feelings during the interview. When you are there, you may start to worry about the outcome. Meditation is a natural way to get your body in the habit of bringing the mind back into the moment. This mind-body training will help you focus more clearly on the task at hand to perform well in the present.
On The Day Of The Interview
When the day of the interview arrives, it is vital that you take time to relax before it starts. If you spend hours trying to look over the notes on the day of the interview to feel prepared, you are likely to get stressed, and your true personality will struggle to shine through. Maybe read over your notes once, then spend the rest of the morning or day relaxing.
Wake up with plenty of time before the interview and take time to relax. Have a nice bath or shower to feel fresh and prepared. Eat a nutritious breakfast, perhaps hot cereal with a banana and a magnesium tablet to help with focus. This will give you plenty of energy for the rest of the day, and it will keep you feeling alert. If you have time, take a quick walk to clear your head before getting ready to leave.
Another way to remove unnecessary worry is to leave with plenty of time to spare. If a train is late or you can’t find a taxi straight away, then there will be no need to worry. Aim to get to the area the interview is in an hour before it begins. If everything goes according to plan, you can find a coffee shop and have a drink and snack before you go in. Having a relaxing morning will help you be yourself and show the potential employer what you can do.
During The Interview
The most important tip I can give you when you are in the interview is not to be afraid to ask for thinking time. Employers want to measure how you respond to challenging situations, so they will sometimes ask complex questions. If a question comes up and you need a second to think about the best way to respond, say, ‘I just need a moment to think about that.’
There is no shame at all in asking for time to think to come up with a good response. This is a much better option than trying to answer too quickly and not conveying your ideas clearly. If the interviewer keeps putting on the pressure and you start to spiral, remind yourself that it isn’t personal. Everyone else will have been treated the same way. Interviewers aren’t looking for perfection. They just want you to think logically and show what you are capable of doing.
Final Thoughts
Remember that you deserve to be in the interview. You have every chance of getting the job, and other candidates may also be experiencing the same feelings, as anxiety is so common. The person interviewing you would have been in your position at some point, so take your time, make sure you relax as much as possible before the interview, and be yourself.
No matter the outcome of the interview, congratulate yourself for completing something that is difficult for you and use it as a learning experience for the future.
About the Author: Daisy Moss is a writer specializing in health and wellness. She enjoys discovering new ways to relax and has recently developed an interest in the benefits of holistic healing, including the benefits of things like magnesium tablets and meditation. When she isn’t writing, you’ll probably find her enjoying a good cup of tea or a yoga class!
Mental Health Month 2021
Access for All
May is Mental Health Month, a time to spread public awareness and education about mental health disorders and reflect on the impact of mental illness on individuals and their families.
It is also a time to recognize and commit to changing the racial and economic inequities in our health care system, particularly with respect to mental health.
www.rtor.org and Laurel House are committed to the advancement of racial equity and social justice, and to making mental health services accessible to all.
The opinions and views expressed in any guest blog post do not necessarily reflect those of www.rtor.org or its sponsor, Laurel House, Inc. The author and www.rtor.org have no affiliations with any products or services mentioned in the article or linked to therein. Guest Authors may have affiliations to products mentioned or linked to in their author bios only.
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