When the interview nerves kick-in so do the sweaty hands, thumping heart and dry mouth. None of these are very helpful when you need to perform well, so it is important to know how to combat your nerves.
We all get nervous about various situations throughout our lives and, unfortunately, our nerves often have a negative impact on how we perform. In your career, you may feel nervous before your interview time, making a pitch/presentation, or prior to a particularly important meeting. Whatever situation your nerves may be affecting, there are a few techniques that you can use to combat them.
1. Ensure that you feel prepared
Feeling unprepared is often what can cause us to be nervous in the first place. If you conduct proper research and ensure that you know your stuff then you will instantly feel more confident and be able to combat those nerves. You should also prepare yourself for common interviewer questions. Discover some of the most common interview questions and answers here.
2. Get a good night’s sleep
You want to feel alert for your job interview so it is important to have a quiet evening in and a good night’s sleep the day before. Sometimes this is easier said than done, but if you feel prepared the night before then you are more likely to be able to switch off your brain and get that all-important sleep.
3. Plan ahead
If there is any travelling involved then ensure that you know exactly where you are going and leave some time for any delays. The last thing you want is to get lost or be late as this will make you stressed out and even more nervous than you would have been.
4. Try deep breathing techniques
Take a few moments before your interview to breathe in through your nose (recommended for four counts) and then out through your nose (recommended for five counts) to feel calmer.
5. Think positive
Thinking and feeling positive can make a big difference to our performance. To help you feel positive, try visualising yourself being successful. We can see you getting that job offer now!
6. Adjust your posture
Standing up or adopting “power poses” can make you feel more confident. When meeting someone new, that first impression is important so stay standing rather than having to struggle out of a chair. You should be on the same level as your interviewer as this will make you look confident and in control of your nerves.
7. Get any shaking limbs under control
It is pretty annoying when you are trying to appear confident but your traitorous hands are giving you away by shaking. To stop this from happening, try squeezing your buttocks or thigh muscles as this actually makes it impossible for your hands to shake!
8. Be yourself
It is important to be yourself and relax into the situation. Speak how you would normally and act naturally as this will make you come across as relaxed and confident.
These techniques will show you how to combat your interview nerves and perform at your best, so give them a try and see if they help you to be successful!
