How to Avoid Job Interview Stress
How To Cope With Pre-Interview Stress: 12 Ways
Now the job search is over and you are invited to the interview, but did your stress also end with the job searching process? We would say no. Even if you have quite an experience when it comes to job interviews, pre-interview can be overwhelming and it triggers anxiety which may consequently sabotage the recruitment process. In this guideline, we are going to show you how to handle the physical, environmental, and mental effects of anxiety and suggest some ways to cope with pre-interview stress. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- How To Cope With Pre-Interview Stress: 12 Ways
- 1) Prepare Yourself In Advance
- 2) Research The Company
- 3) Practice, Practice, Practice
- 4) Pick The Right Outfit and Style
- 5) Avoid Uncertainties
- 6) Breath Slowly
- 7)Relax Your Muscles
- 8)Music Helps
- 9) It is Not The End Of The World
- 10) Rational Thinking Is The Key
- 11) Practice Visual Imagery
- 12) Master The Art of Interview Etiquette
1) Prepare Yourself In Advance
If you have a job interview on your schedule, you should always create time to get ready for it in advance. The first thing you should do while preparing yourself for the interview is to analyze the position and find out the matching qualifications. How do you do that? Even though you read the job description carefully before you applied for a position, it is hard to remember what exactly they want from a prospective candidate. Review the job description again and make a list of the skills, experiences, professional and personal qualifications required by the employer. Is your list ready? Now it is time to match them with your own assets! It is a good practice to highlight the fact that you are a good fit for the position during the interview.
2) Research The Company
Knowing everything about the position is one thing, but knowing the company is the thing that will help you differentiate from other candidates. Nowadays, almost every company looks for candidates who share similar values with the company. During the interview, it is important you show that you know the company culture and you are excited to be part of it. We strongly suggest checking the company’s website, especially the “About Us” section and research other sources such as industry magazines, company reviews, and other websites revealing related information before you go to the interview.
3) Practice, Practice, Practice
Make a list of possible questions and practice your answers with yourself or ask for help from your other people to give you feedback on your answers. The key here is to ensure that you practice as if it was the real interview and take it seriously. For instance, you may ask a friend to call you through Skype or telephone as the interviewer or you can practice face-to-face. This will definitely make you calmer during the real interview because you prepare yourself the possible scenarios in advance.
4) Pick The Right Outfit and Style
It is never a good idea to leave the outfit, hairstyle, makeup, and accessories to the last minute. You need to check if the company still has a traditional work environment or it is rather casual. Get your clothes sharp and ready according to the company environment before your big day. In addition, you may want to decide on what to bring (references, resume, or additional documents) to the interview.
5) Avoid Uncertainties
Before you schedule the interview, ask what exactly is waiting for you. How many interviews do you have to pass? Who are the people who are going to interview you and what are their titles? Knowing the details eases your research process and gives you more confidence.
6) Breath Slowly
Imagine yourself in the waiting room for the interview and you are getting nervous. This is the moment you should calm yourself with breathing exercises. Try to calmly inhale from your nose and exhale -through your mouth. Repeat 7-8 times till you feel better. We suggest you practice breathing exercises in advance.
7)Relax Your Muscles
Stress can affect your body in various ways. If you feel your muscles tense and tight, practice relaxation. There are a few ways to do that. You can use a stress ball to squeeze your muscles and then relax in order to relive the tense. Yoga, mediation, and stretching are the other methods to relax your mind and body. Taking a warm bath will improve your sleep quality and definitely give the relaxation you need before the interview day.
8)Music Helps
When you feel extremely overwhelmed because of the forthcoming interview, try to listen to some music that you think can boost your moral. Have a nice breakfast while you are singing with your favorite band before the interview!
9) It is Not The End Of The World
When we are stressed, we tend to exaggerate the importance of the situation. We are not trying to underestimate the pre-interview stress, however, thinking that it is your only chance would be a huge mistake. Try to approach it as an exciting opportunity to meet with people in the industry and a rewarding interview experience to prepare you for the next ones if this particular one does not go well. Keep in mind, you are not alone. Maybe a dozen people for this particular position is going through the same process.
10) Rational Thinking Is The Key
It is crucial to list your negative thoughts because in this way you can challenge them. If you want the negative thoughts to lose their power, replace them with the positive alternatives. Let’s have a look at some common negative thoughts before the interviews:
“What if I do not have anything good to say after a reasonable question?”
Remember we talked about the importance of preparing in advance. So it is not likely that you will be requested to answer a question that never crossed your mind before. However, if this happens, you can always say something like “It is a great question. Can I ask some more time to think about it and answer you later?”
“What if I don’t get this job and will be unemployed for so long?”
When the bills are piling, it is not a silly concern. We get you on this. However, if you are invited to an interview, it is a pretty good indication that there will be plenty of interviews in the future. The last thing you need is focusing on negative outcomes based solely on your preassumptions.
“What if there are better-qualified people for this position?”
Fun fact: Everybody thinks the same. One interview does not determine your success, everybody has pros and cons in the overall evaluation.
Based on these examples, write down your negative thoughts and try to switch them into positive ones. Knowing your concerns empowers you to overcome them.
11) Practice Visual Imagery
On your way to interview or before it, persuade yourself that it is going to be great. Use your imaginative power to create peaceful and successful scenes rather than thinking about the worst scenarios. You know yourself better, so try to picture what makes you happy and confident. Keep in mind that a lot of coaches believe the power of visual imagery, so no harm in trying!
12) Master The Art of Interview Etiquette
As the final step, remind yourself of basic but quite important factors before the interview. Remember to greet everyone politely, control your body language, shake hands firmly, make eye contact and pay attention to questions and their purposes. Always look interested in what is going on and try to be attentive. Last but not least, smile!