Feeling nervous about job interviews is completely normal. Most people, if not all, experience anxiety. So if it helps, you are not alone in these pre-interview jitters. Nevertheless, you do not want these worries to get in your way.

Luckily, there are tons of tips out there to help you deal with your interview anxiety. This guide outlines what you can do before, during, and after your big day. Check out the following easily done suggestions for your uneasiness!

 

Before the Interview

Acknowledge your emotions. Feeling anxious can be automatically perceived as something negative, but if you look at it another way, it shows that you just want to succeed in the interview. You are nervous about something because it is important to you. Telling yourself to calm down, again and again, can aggravate your stress; therefore, acknowledge what you feel. Once you accept your anxiety, you can work towards reducing it. You can try engaging in positive self-talk, listening to an inspiring playlist, or watching a feel-good movie. Breathe in and breathe out your stressors.

Research and prepare. Another thing you can do to reduce your anxiety is to do your research. If you learn about the company and practice answering common interview questions, then you can cross out a potential mental block from your worries. You can get to know the company by checking out its products/services, goals, and values. If it is available, you can also study the job description.

Stay physically healthy. Remember to consume the right food and drinks. Avoid too many sweets and processed foods, caffeine, alcohol, and sodas. Instead, go for whole grains and carbohydrates, yogurt and high-protein foods, herbal teas, and of course, water! Make sure that you get enough sleep as well!
 

During the Interview

Be punctual and dress for success. On the day of the interview, wake up early and leave before the rush hour starts. Punctuality sets you up for a good impression, especially at work, which can help boost your confidence. Pick clothes that you feel great in too! Skip those tight tops and painful shoes. Opt for a smart outfit!

Take your time in answering the questions. Pausing for a few seconds before responding to an interview question is better than immediately answering with an irrelevant blabber. Thus, take your time and collect your thoughts first. Pay attention to keywords in the question and respond slowly and clearly.

 

After the Interview

Be kind to yourself. Avoid thinking about how the interview went and focus on what just transpired: you survived it! It is a good thing to take note of what you could have done better to improve your performance, but give yourself a break as well. You would not want to dash your friend’s hopes up after their job interview, right? So, practice self-compassion, too.

Go out and celebrate. Woohoo! Congratulations on taking the job interview opportunity! You have been dreading this day and you made it. You deserve to pat yourself on the back for conquering your fear and for trying. Grab some celebratory drinks and on to the next one!

 

Conclusion

While interview anxiety is natural, there are several ways to cope with it and overcome it. Your worries can even help you see your willingness and determination, and thus you can use it as an advantage. What’s more? You can actually prepare a video resume to skip the first round of interviews and creatively introduce yourself to your potential employers! This feature plus a portfolio showcase and an online profile are available in Outwiths. Now, that will surely give you an edge! Make your own one here!

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