What is Interview Anxiety?
Interview Anxiety is a response to fear and it manifests itself in a number of ways. Physically it may result in blushing, stuttering, or difficulty speaking. Mentally, judgment, memory may be impaired.
The Facts about Interview Anxiety
It is reassuring to realize what scares you. Consider the following:
- Interview stress is normal.
- Interview stress affects most people, even experienced interviewees.
- The more techniques you have to beat interview stress, the better you will perform.
- Beating interview stress is not about being perfect or about being free of fear. It is about adjusting and managing your anxiety and using it to fuel your performance.
Conquering Interview Anxiety
HOW TO PREPARE
Preparation will make you feel more confident and less anxious.
- Make sure that you allot enough time so as not to feel rushed.
- Have professional copies of important documents (Ex. resume, transcript)
- Make sure your attire is clean and prepared.
- Be well-groomed and well-rested.
- Avoid smoking, drinking, eating odorous food, etc. before the interview.
- Practice by participating in mock interviews with a counselor.
Make sure to watch our video on Interviewing with Low Confidence here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZm48wGsDRg&t=20s
Additional Tips
- Be ready and prepared to answer questions from the interviewer/s
- Be confident in your skills and abilities.
- Know the name/s of the person/s and their position/s interviewing you.
- Demonstrate your interest in the role.
- Remember: the interviewer is another person, as are you.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
- Meditation – if you meditate, you give your attention to one thing, and do not think about anything else as way of calming or relaxing your mind.
- Breathing Exercises – a few nice deep breaths can be so relaxing. It can be a quick and easy stress reliever. You can do this anytime and anywhere. It is not visible to others.
- Physical Exercises – any form of physical exercise can be a great way to reduce stress.
- Yoga – yoga postures balance the different systems of the body. By slowing down the mental activity, and by gently stretching the body and massaging the internal organs yoga creates a climate of dynamic peacefulness within.
- Visualization – many people find it relaxing to visualize a peaceful place, whether real or imagined.
- Positive/Confident Thinking – you many find it useful to counter negative thoughts with positive affirmations. You can use affirmations to build confidence and change negative behavior patterns into positive ones.
Seven Keys to Overcoming Anxiety
- Educate yourself.
- Address roadblocks.
- Set gradual, progressive goals.
- Train your body and mind to respond to stress differently.
- Make wellness a way of life.
- Personalize your solution.
- Celebrate your success.