10 Tips for Tackling Nerves Before the Interview

According to surveys, 93% of Americans feel anxious about job interviews, which goes to show that it’s perfectly normal for you to feel nervous about applying for that new position. Fortunately, there are tried-and-true methods to help you with your nerves. Here are 15 tricks you can try to take control and prepare for your interview with confidence!

1. Research: The more prepared you are, the less you have to worry about. Spend time researching the company to increase your talking points. Aside from pertinent details like the address and the hiring manager’s name, pick three main topics you’d like to convey in the interview, as well as any questions you might have.

2. Practice: Practice makes perfect! There is a lot of information on the internet about common interview questions, so look through them and practice how you would answer them in front of a mirror. Take note of your body language and facial expressions and work on improving them. Recruit a friend or family member to help you prepare; if no one’s available, there are a variety of services that offer mock interviews. Whether you use a family member, a friend, or an official service, treat the practice run like a real interview—from your preparation to your attire.

3. Exercise: Fresh air and sunshine calm nerves and boost serotonin, so take a stroll around the block before an online interview. If your interview is in person, walk around the building before you enter it. If exercise is something that really improves your mood and enhances your focus, get up early and hit the gym or go for a run beforehand.

4. Limit Coffee and Caffeine: Excessive caffeine can cause jitters, and a heavy meal can make you tired, so plan accordingly for what you’ll eat and drink before your interview!

5. Arrive Early: If you're doing an in-person interview, feeling rushed will only make your anxiety worse. To avoid this, plan to arrive 20 to 30 minutes early. If you’re being interviewed on a video call, make sure you have five minutes to sit calmly somewhere and prepare for the conversation before the call begins.

6. Listen To Music: Try listening to calming music before your interview or, if you prefer, a podcast or a speech by someone you can admire. It’s a great way to drown out negative thoughts and flood your mind with positivity.

7. Plan Something For Afterward: Pick something fun to do after your interview—this way, you have something pleasant to look forward to and focus on, no matter the outcome of the interview.

8. Give Yourself A Pep Talk: Schedule some time to give yourself a pep talk, either in your car, outside the building, or in some quiet room. Tell yourself everything you need to hear: you’re smart, you’re qualified for this role, etc. Say it out loud to externalize it and say it with confidence. If you can’t believe it on your own, call a friend or family member to encourage you before your appointment.

9. Write Down Your Spinning Thoughts. Writing can be one of the most therapeutic things you can do to reduce your anxiety. Handwriting engages the brain’s sensory and motor areas and activates the reticular activating system (RAS), a part of the brain that helps regulate attention and foster mindfulness—so pick up a pen and try journaling. You could also try a “brain dump” to get all the negative thoughts on paper, or write out your pep talk. You could even recognize and celebrate your dedication by listing out all the effort you are making to conquer your nerves!

10. Try Sighing. Sighing can be one of the most effective breathing exercises you could ever try. Long, audible exhales can stimulate the vagus nerve— the cranial nerve and primary pathway for parasympathetic control that dictates how our body rests—so try sighing to signal relaxing responses throughout the body. 

Remember that most people experience some level of nervousness before an important event, and they all have jobs! You can do it too.

Career Concepts is here to help you. We’ve been matching the best people with the best employers for more than 50 years. Contact us today.