Even if you know you are well-qualified for a job, some individuals face interview anxiety. It is rather common. Meeting strangers in a position of authority; talking about yourself; being evaluated and judged on your appearance, demeanour, and ability to sell yourself all triggers’ nerves and stress getting to you.
Some strategies you can use to help alleviate anxiety both in person and in an online meeting:
🔸Self-Care – Sleep well, avoid caffeine, and exercise regularly. Keeping yourself in good health is paramount when facing potentially stressful situations.
🔸Visualize Success – Visualizing success is more than just positive thinking, it prepares your brain to behave in a certain way and is used commonly by athletes.
🔸Research your way – Research is a good anxiety reliever. Before the interview, learn as much as you can about the potential employer and prepare answers to common interview questions.
🔸Be prepared – A well-prepared interviewee has an immediate advantage in an interview. Keep your Resume, Cover letter, and its content handy, references, certifications, justifications, and reasoning all thought out beforehand.
🔸Stay Calm- Don’t succumb to pressure. Interviews are also a chance for you to evaluate a potential employer. If you find yourself fidgeting, do something to release anxious energy that will be less noticeable, such as wiggling your toes or rubbing your feet. Take your time and many times accepting anxiety as a natural always helps rather than suppressing yourself to regulate anxiety.
Regardless of how you felt that the interview went, congratulate yourself afterward for taking the chance, and avoid ruminating. While it’s important to take note of what went well and how you could improve, dwelling on negative parts of the interview will only sap your confidence.
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