It’s no secret that going for an interview can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. Trying to guess the best answers and how to behave makes your mind foggy. However, you want to have everything ready to go, from a well-crafted resume to the perfect outfit. But amidst all that preparation, it’s also essential to find time to relax before the big day. In this article, we share 11 tips on how to relax before an interview to make sure you put your best foot forward when trying for that dream role.
In this Article:
Why do job candidates feel nervous at interviews?
Interview anxiety is incredibly common, with job search statistics showing that some job seekers can feel apprehension and even fear when going for an interview.
- Lack of preparation: When job candidates don’t feel prepared and knowledgeable about their job search, job role, and the company in question, it can be difficult to know how to answer the questions posed in an interview.
- Nervous energy: The anticipation of meeting a hiring manager for a job interview can lead to nervousness and anxiety that can be difficult to shake off.
- Fear of failure: Even job seekers who have done a lot of job research and practice may still fear failure, leaving them unprepared and unable to show off their true potential during the job interview.
How to relax before an interview?
Interview anxiety is real and can easily take hold of job candidates if they don’t find ways to relax before an interview. Even the most experienced job seekers can feel a little overwhelmed and intimidated about job interviews, especially if they haven’t looked for a job. It’s important to remember that job interviews, while nerve-wracking, are just conversations between you and the hiring manager. The key to calming pre-interview nerves is focusing on the job.
Here are 11 tips on how to relax before an interview and reduce anxiety:
1. Practice and do your research
Knowing the job role and company well can alleviate a lot of job search anxieties. Know the company’s products, what they do, and who are their competitors. Make sure to research job roles and practice answering some job interview questions before the job interview. Take the time to practice job interview questions with a family member, friend, or career coach. Practice answers to the questions and focus on the job role instead of job search statistics. Doing so will help job seekers feel confident and prepared for job interviews.
2. Talk to a family member or friend
Talking to someone you trust before the job interview can help job seekers gain perspective on the job search process. It can also help job seekers calm down and face the job interview more confidently. Confiding in someone about job search anxieties can also help job seekers feel more in control and less overwhelmed by job interview worries.
3. Take a few deep breaths
Take a few moments to pause and take a few deep breaths before job interviews. Inhale deeply through your nose, breathing into both your chest and belly as you do so. Exhale slowly out of your mouth with a purposeful sense of relaxation, keeping your eyes closed the entire time. By doing this, shallow breaths will be avoided in order to achieve maximum peace.
Give yourself a few minutes to control your breathing and make it rhythmic. It may help if you count from one to five as you inhale, making sure the entire intake of air is slow-paced, then repeat this same process with exhaling. With time, your breath will become more synchronized – allowing for an improved meditative state. This simple exercise can help job seekers clear their minds and focus on job search success.
4. Visualize success
Take a few moments to focus and visualize job interview success. Imagine yourself confidently answering job interview questions, communicating effectively with the hiring manager, and feeling a sense of job search accomplishment. Visualizing job interview success can help job seekers to feel more confident and in control.
5. Arrive early
Arriving at job interviews early will give job seekers time to get settled, feel more relaxed, and take a few moments to focus and prepare. Job seekers should plan to arrive at job interviews 15 minutes early to give themselves enough time to get settled, use the bathroom if needed, and take a few moments to relax.
6. Go for a walk or listen to your favorite music.
Going for a walk or listening to your favorite songs can help job seekers reduce job interview anxiety. Exercise helps shift the focus away from job search worries, and listening to music can help job seekers feel more relaxed. Taking a few minutes to take a walk or listen to music can help the job seeker feel more in control and reduce job interview anxiety.
7. Practice the S.T.O.P Method
Using the S.T.O.P method can help job seekers become more mindful of their job interview anxiety and how to manage it better for job interview success. This method involves job seekers to:
• Stop: Take a few moments to pause and be still.
• Take a few deep breaths: Notice how your body is reacting and take a few slow, deep breaths.
• Observe: Acknowledge job search anxieties and any job interview nerves job seekers may have.
• Proceed mindfully: Move forward while staying aware of job search anxieties.
By using this method job seekers can better manage job interview anxiety and be better prepared for job interviews.
8. Change your perspective
Think of your interview as a challenge. View job interviews as an opportunity to demonstrate your unique skills, knowledge, and experiences. Remember that job interviews are a two-way street – it’s an opportunity for job seekers to learn more about job opportunities and show employers why they are the best person for the job.
9. Focus on your tone
During job interviews, job seekers should use a conversational and persuasive tone. Speaking in a casual, yet persuasive tone will help job seekers to stay focused on job search success and job interview performance. This not only conveys job seekers’ confidence but also helps them make a good impression.
10. Think of the interview as a conversation.
While job interviews can be intimidating, job seekers should remember that job interviews are just conversations. Candidates should consider job interviews an opportunity to learn more about job opportunities and connect with potential employers.
11. Think positively, smile and be confident.
Prior to the interview, job seekers should give themselves a pep talk and think positively. They should be confident that job search success is within reach. Picture yourself performing magnificently, confidently articulating the answers to job interview questions, and walking out of the job interview room with a job offer. If you’re feeling jittery, fold your hands in your lap. Take some deep breaths to quell a trembling voice or to steady any internal butterflies. Be sure to maintain an authentic smile throughout for added confidence.
Is it OK to admit you are nervous at an interview?
Admitting you are nervous at an in-person interview is OK and can even be seen as a sign of respect for the job opportunity. It is important to remember that job interviews are a two-way street and the hiring manager wants to get to know you as an individual. This can help the job candidate to make job interviews feel less like an exam and more like a conversation.
A word from SublimePeople
It is important to learn how to relax before an interview to perform your best. There are many different ways to relax, and it is important to find what works best for you. Experiment with other relaxation techniques and find the ones that work best for you so that you can be prepared for your next interview. While there are many things to do to relax before an interview, focusing on a few key points is essential. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast, and arrive early. Taking deep breaths and picturing yourself succeeding in the interview can also help alleviate nerves. Finally, don’t forget to be confident and smile!
Do you usually feel nervous at job interviews? Share your experience with us!
