It’s natural and very common to feel nervous about an interview. Many people suffer from nerves and anxiety before an interview, but there are a couple of tricks and tips that can help you calm down, and relax.
It’s all about adopting the right attitude and mindset, which will help you control your nerves.
Most people have suffered from anxiety before an interview before, but it gets easier with each interview. That’s because people get used to being in an interview setting, and they will have learned tons of information throughout the years to calm their nerves.
So, with that said, let’s discover how not to be nervous for an interview.
Table of Contents
Research The Role, And The Company
For a lot of people, the scariest part of an interview is not knowing what to expect, and not knowing what to say.
In most job interviews, you will be asked what you know about the company. You should familiarize yourself with the company, and the aims of the company.
If you can find any recent news articles or awards, that’s a bonus, Just make sure you have a good understanding of the company and its objectives.
If you’re not familiar with the company, you’re going to stumble. After all, you’re going to be interviewing people who represent the company.
By researching the company itself, you will feel more comfortable and confident, as you will be able to answer at least one question confidently.
You also need to ensure that you are familiar with the role that you are applying for. Make sure to read the fine print, as job roles can differ in each company.
Make sure that you write some aspects of the role that you like, and that you think you will be good at. This will give you confidence because when they ask you about the role, it will show how much thought you have put into reflecting on your suitability.
These are two important things that you will need to research, but by doing this you will empower yourself.
When you feel empowered, you will feel more confident, and less nervous. You know that you will be asked about these two things, which means you already know, a little, about what to expect in the interview.
Go Over Your CV
When you’re in the interview, you are going to be asked a lot of questions. Some of them will be about your qualifications, and what makes you suitable for the job.
Since you already know exactly what the job role requires, you can relate your past qualifications and experience back to that role.
You can explain why a certain qualification is beneficial to the role because you learned about a particular, relevant topic. You can also discuss how your experience involved similar responsibilities.
If your qualifications and experience do not relate to the job you are applying for, don’t be nervous. That’s totally fine, and you can still show that you are capable of the job.
All you need is to think about what qualities are needed in the job role and use your own qualifications and experience to relate to it.
In this case, you are going to want to focus on your strengths, and how they can be beneficial to the role.
This is crucial because if you go into an interview not knowing how to show your strengths, and you also do not have the relevant skills, your nervousness will show.
If you walk in, already knowing exactly what your skills are, and how they are relevant to the role, you can talk confidently – even if it doesn’t relate to the job.
Write Out Your Skills And Good Qualities
We already discussed the importance of skills a little, but now you need to think about your overall skills.
People have a wide range of skills, that can be beneficial to lots of different workplaces.
For example, you might be applying for a job that is remote and does not require a lot of in-person meetings. However, communication skills are still absolutely essential. Being able to communicate clearly, online and in person, is a very good skill to have.
If you are punctual, that is also a great skill, because it shows you are responsible. Likewise, if you’re great at math, but the job does not require you to do any math – that’s still a good skill.
It means that you will have a unique trait, that they can call on if they need it. It makes you stand out from the crowd.
Some other examples are:
- Being an artist – this is great, because it shows creativity.
- Humor – everyone loves to work with someone who knows how to laugh, as it makes office and work-life easier.
- Teamwork – working part of a team is vital, even if you are only expected to work independently, it shows you are capable of working as a unit.
- Motivation – this is a great skill because it signals that you will always strive to do the best work possible.
As shown by the list, you do not necessarily have to have a wide range of ‘smart’ skills and traits in order to be valued by a company.
Never underestimate the power of being a good person, and having truly authentic, and necessary skills.
At the end of the day, no one wants to work with someone who cannot communicate, is not motivated, and does not know how to work within a team. So, if you have any positive traits, don’t be afraid to mention them.
Make Sure You Are Prepared
The night before the interview, make sure that you have reflected on, and written out all of your notes. So you understand the companies aim, the role, and why you will be a great fit for the company. If you write them out or print them, you can keep reading them when you get anxious.
You should also prepare your outfit the night before, so you do not rush in the morning. The outfit you choose will depend on the job role itself, so be mindful.
In the morning, make sure that you have a good breakfast. Anything like porridge, eggs, avocado, or wholemeal bread will be good. You want to feel energized, without sluggish. If you can’t stomach food, try eating some fruit – as you will be able to focus better if your body has energy.
Make sure you get to your interview early – fifteen to ten minutes is always a good amount, to show that you are punctual.
Rationalize Your Fears
Going to an interview can be very anxiety-inducing, and that’s absolutely normal. However, in most cases, your life is not dependent on a certain job interview. There are tons of jobs out there, and you will find one.
If the employer did not think you were good enough for the job, you would not have a job interview, because they would not waste their own time. It means you already have potential, and out of hundreds of people, they choose you.
You need to remember that you can help the company be better, and they would be lucky to have you. With that said, it’s also good to remember that you will be learning a lot at the role too – a bit of humility goes a long way.
Summary
The best way to calm nerves before an interview is to make sure that you are prepared. If you follow all the tips and tricks in our article, you will surely feel a lot more confident and calmer.
