How To Get Rid of Nerves Before an Interview
Feeling nervous before an interview is completely normal. As a matter of fact, nervousness is one of the most common human feelings, experienced not only by candidates before a job interview, but also by everyone on a daily basis. Nervousness is the body’s response to stress and involves hormonal and physical changes. Our heart rate increases, we tend to sweat, and we feel short of breath.
If we feel nervous before an interview, it is because we perceive it as an unfamiliar situation, which is completely normal. Try to do something that takes your mind out of the interview, such as taking a walk or listening to music. The most common interview questions usually aim at the interviewee’s character and personality, so the goal is to be yourself and talk about your skills in an honest way.
Understand Why You’re Feeling Nervous in the First Place
It’s natural to be nervous when facing an unfamiliar situation. When this situation is over, nerves disappear. If they were to persist even after the new experience has ended, this would be anxiety.
Several research studies have shown that nervousness can even be helpful, as the body becomes energized with adrenaline. With some practice and self-knowledge, you can start to see stress as a powerful tool that will help you to unleash your potential.
Take Some Deep Breaths
Deep breathing decreases your heart rate and reduces tension. Mindfulness connects your mind with your inner self, so you can manage your feelings and improve on confidence. Before an interview, try taking some deep and slow breaths to alleviate any anxiety. Being mindful of each inhale and exhale can help relieve the tensions that can occur during periods of stress. Besides, the course of an interview can change a lot, so, if you are wondering how you adapt to change, practicing breathing techniques is usually a great way to help yourself handle unfamiliar situations.
While breathing, you can repeat a positive affirmation to yourself. Don’t underestimate how powerful positive thinking can be when fighting debilitating feelings. Even the simplest reminder of your strength and value can be a powerful way to boost your confidence. It is normal to feel nervous, so having a phrase to ground yourself can help you stay focused on what is most important—communicating your knowledge and skills as thoughtfully as possible.
Also, yoga or meditation have been proven to have the same positive effects as mindfulness exercises. Practicing these can be extremely beneficial for calming your nerves. Yoga increases blood flow and releases endorphins in the body, while practicing meditation can help you to ease a racing mind. Both methods will leave you mentally prepared and better equipped to face an interview.
Final Thoughts
As the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates said, the purpose of life is self-knowledge. By knowing ourselves better, we can more easily understand our feelings, evaluate unfamiliar situations, and even see them as opportunities to improve and grow. While job interviews can be nerve-wracking for almost everyone, by understanding your emotions, you can prepare yourself. Don’t forget that this interview is a big moment in your career and an opportunity to showcase your personality and conversation skills. If you get a new job, check out some examples of resignation letters that you can use to inform your current employer that you’re moving on to something better!
