Landing your first job or securing a new position can be incredibly exciting, but it often comes with significant pressure, especially in performing well in interviews.
The fear of making a poor impression or stumbling over tricky questions can feel overwhelming. Therefore, it’s important to know how to pacify your interview anxiety.
With the right preparation and mindset, you can surely overcome nerves and excel in your interviews. In this blog, we’ll share effective strategies to help you stay calm and confident to help you present your best self to prospective employers. More importantly, you can boost your overall confidence in your professional journey.
Follow along as we jump in and learn how to pacify your interview anxiety, so you can excel in your next interview!
Explaining the Jitters
Nervousness is a natural part of the job-seeking process. This feeling often stems from the uncertainty as well as high stakes associated with securing employment. For many, job interviews represent a critical opportunity to make a good impression and advance their careers. This naturally leads to heightened emotions. Nervousness is basically a temporary response to specific situations and usually diminishes once the event is over.
Anxiety, on the other hand, is a more persistent and pervasive feeling of worry or fear that can occur without a specific trigger. Technically, it’s the body’s internal response to an unknown external threat. Unlike nervousness, anxiety can interfere with daily functioning and persist even after the stressful event has passed.
Interview anxiety is a type of social anxiety that occurs in response to the interview process. It goes beyond the normal jitters that can significantly influence an individual’s ability to communicate effectively and present themselves. According to a survey, 93% of candidates experience job interview anxiety, highlighting how common and pervasive this issue is.
Symptoms of interview anxiety vary but include both physical and mental signs. Physically, individuals may blush, stutter, or have difficulty speaking. They might also experience dryness of mouth and dizziness. Mentally, it can affect judgment and memory, complicating responses during the interview, among other manifestations.
How to Pacify Your Interview Anxiety
Although interview anxiety is prevalent, it’s not normal. To ensure a positive result, you must at least know what strategies can help calm your nerves. Here are the practical tips to help you pacify your interview anxiety before, during and after the actual interview:
Before the Interview
Preparation can certainly bring a sense of confidence and readiness for your interview. These essential steps can ensure that you’re well-prepared and capable of making a lasting impression by all means.
• Conduct Company Research
Familiarize yourself with your prospective company’s industry and services as well as its vision, mission statement and core values. Doing this will significantly provide beneficial insight into its culture and priorities. Understanding such commitments can also assist you in tailoring responses that demonstrate your alignment with their goals and vision. This can increase your chances of being seen as a strong cultural fit for the organization and ultimately help you stand out as a candidate.
• Match Your Skills to the Job
Carefully reviewing the job description is essential to pacify your interview anxiety. Start by analyzing the key responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job posting. Then, identify how your skills and experiences align with these requirements. This will certainly enable you to use specific examples from your background to illustrate how you successfully applied your skills in similar situations.
• Practice
List down interview queries that are often asked and craft thoughtful responses to these questions. Some of the commonly asked questions include:
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why do you want to work here?
Practice them aloud to ensure you can deliver them smoothly. This rehearsal will allow you to refine your answers. It can also make your answers more concise and impactful, which is crucial for leaving a positive impression on your interviewers. But make sure to never create a script that you’ll be reciting word for word during the interview. Instead, focus on understanding the key points you want to convey and practice expressing them naturally. This will indeed help you come across as confident and prepared without sounding rehearsed.
During the Interview
On the day of and during the interview itself, you need to ensure that you are ready. Here are the steps that you need to keep in mind.
• Dress for Success
When preparing for an interview, select an attire that is appropriate. To be sure, opt for semi-casual or formal wear but avoid anything overly revealing or too casual. Also, always consider the dress code of the company or venue you will be visiting. Dressing well not only leaves a positive impression on your interviewers but also significantly boosts your self-confidence. When you look good, you feel good, and this enhanced confidence can undeniably help you big time during the interview setting.
• Arrive Early
When attending an interview, arrive at the location at least 15 minutes early. However, also be mindful not to show up too early, as it may seem overly eager or desperate. It’s also important to strike a balance between punctuality and professionalism to make a positive first impression on your potential employer. This timeframe will allow you to settle in, review your notes, as well as calm your nerves. Being early also shows your punctuality and respect for the interviewer’s time.
But if your interview is conducted online, join the virtual meeting room a few minutes early. This is to ensure your device works properly and avoid any last-minute technical difficulties. Additionally, have an extra device ready in case of any unexpected issues with your primary device. Knowing that you have a backup plan in place will help you stay calm and focused during the interview without a doubt.
It's important to strike a balance between punctuality and professionalism to make a positive first impression on your potential employer.
• Stay Positive and Be Present
Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. In particular, you can try engaging in positive self-talk. This can significantly shift your mindset and feelings. Doing this can also empower you to approach the interview with confidence and optimism.
During the interview, focus on the conversation at hand. Be an active listener to fully engage with the interviewer’s questions. Furthermore, try your best to respond thoughtfully. Doing this can show your interest while preventing your mind from wandering, which can surely help reduce anxiety. This mindful approach also allows you to connect more authentically with the interviewer and enhances your overall performance.
• Mind Your Body Language
Non-verbal communication also plays a vital role in interviews. Don’t forget to maintain good posture and make eye contact. It must also be remembered that you must offer a firm handshake as this often convey confidence, professionalism, and engagement. By all means, avoid fidgeting or crossing your arms since these gestures can be interpreted as nervousness or discomfort.
Pay close attention to the interviewer’s body language and adjust your responses accordingly. If the interviewer appears engaged and leaning forward, it may suggest an interest in your answers. Conversely, if they seem distracted or distant, you can adapt your approach to regain their attention.
After the Interview
Completing your interview can bring a sense of relief for many. However, if you still feel anxious about your performance, there are effective steps you can take to alleviate that anxiety.
• Reflect on Your Performance
Take some time to reflect on your performance after your interview. It’s important to realize what you did well and identify specific areas for improvement. This self-assessment is valuable for your future interviews, as it enables you to recognize your strengths and address any weaknesses. Conducting self-evaluation can also help you build greater confidence. Thus, it will increase your chances of success in subsequent interviews.
• Send a Thank You Email
Consider sending a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview to show your appreciation for the opportunity. Reiterate your interest in the position. Then, briefly mention a specific point of discussion from the interview. This gesture not only leaves a positive impression but also keeps you on the interviewer’s radar. To follow up effectively, personalize the thank-you email by referencing specific aspects of the interview that excited you about the role.
• Follow-Up
If you haven’t heard back within the timeframe mentioned during the interview, it’s advisable to wait up to two weeks before sending a polite follow-up inquiry. In your message, reaffirm your interest in the position and kindly ask for any updates regarding the hiring process. This reaffirms your enthusiasm for the role while maintaining professionalism as well as respect for the interviewer’s timeline.
• Ask for Feedback
Whether you got the job or not, requesting feedback from the employer is helpful in your professional development. Employers generally view providing feedback positively, as it helps candidates enhance their skills and performance for future opportunities. This also indicates your commitment to growth and resilience. Nevertheless, embrace the feedback you receive, as it will provide valuable insights that can help you refine your future performance.
Embrace the feedback you receive, as it will provide valuable insights that can help you refine your future performance.
You Are Not Alone
Remember that many individuals particularly experience interview anxiety. It’s a natural response of the human body. With the right strategies, you can manage this anxiety and even turn it to your advantage. But if your interview anxiety is overwhelming, consider seeking professional help. Registered counselors can offer personalized strategies to help you manage your anxiety.
Remember that you need to stay positive and believe in your abilities. More importantly, approach each interview as a valuable learning opportunity. Through this mindset, you can significantly build resilience and improve your performance in future interviews.
Achieve Great Things with Us
Interview anxiety is a common hurdle, but it doesn’t have to stand in the way of your success. By applying the practical tips we mentioned, you can obviously pacify your interview anxiety in no time. You can even ace whatever job seeking step that comes your way as well as confidently showcase your skills and qualifications.
If you’re ready to put these strategies into practice and find a supportive and dynamic work environment, consider joining DBA!
We value the unique strengths and perspectives each individual brings and are committed to fostering a culture of growth and development. Explore our current openings and take the first step towards a fulfilling and exciting career with us.
Aureen Kyle Mandap, DMP
Aureen Kyle Mandap, DMP
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