Reducing anxiety before an interview
It is normal to expect some degree of anxiety before an interview. At times, you could have the feeling that you are on stage and your performance is being judged. You will feel less anxious if you know why you tend to feel anxious.
If you strongly desire to work for a particular company, and worry that you are not going to do well there, you are likely to experience stage fright during the interview. However, if you go with the expectation of giving an excellent performance, then your anxiety before interview will be far less.
You may also have the feeling that you are being judged. It is important to remember that being evaluated as a candidate for employment is not the same as having your worth as a person assessed. Although an interview is an assessment in some sense, it is not an assessment of your personal worth. It also pays to remember that there is a great deal of luck involved. Even with the best preparation, you may be rejected due to the hiring manager's personal whims, organizational politics, and even economic downturn or industry performance.
Tackling anxiety before an interview
Just telling yourself not to be nervous before an interview may not be of much help. You must have some powerful strategies to combat anxiety and some of them are given below.
Direct your nervous energy into positive action: Spend time in research or study your strong points spending less time in worrying. You may also like to practice for your interview, thinking of what to say and how to say it.
Think of your achievements: Take out your resume and go back to your strengths, accomplishments and skills. These are traits that would benefit your employer. It would also give a boost to your self confidence and lessen anxiety before interview.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket: This way too much does not depend on one interview. Once in a while, an interview may come up that will make or break your career. However, generally, it is foolish to be too anxious for a particular interview. If your job search is on track, you need not worry if one interview does not turn out well, there are others in the pipeline.
Know when to stop preparation for an interview and reduce anxiety before interview: As you must have experienced during exams, it is not wise to study up to the last minute. You must allow some time for the information to be retained. Try to do something enjoyable and not work related just before the interview. It could be something like browsing in a bookstore, going for a walk etc.
Be well in time for the interview: Leave plenty of time to take care of traffic and any other aspect that could delay you. This includes ensuring that you know how to reach the place.
Use relaxation techniques to tackle anxiety before interview
Controlled breathing involves taking slow, deep breaths focusing on and feeling the air enter and leave your body. The attention on your breath flow will drive away any anxiety thoughts.
Relax yourself physically by closing your eyes and relaxing every part of your body. Start with your head and work yourself up to your toes. For better effect, you can tighten and then relax the concerned muscle. Physical relaxation usually leads to mental relaxation.
You can also use visualization techniques by say, imagining that you have done well in the interview and you are shaking the hands of the interviewer. You can imagine signing and sending the acceptance note to the job offer. You can also visualize yourself entering the office on the first day of the new job.
Be realistic
Sometimes, job seekers imagine that their entire future depends on one interview thereby increasing anxiety before interview. This is a fallacy. Look at things in their proper perspective. This is not the last interview you will have. You are not interviewing at the last company in the world or the greatest company in the world. If you fail, nothing much is going to happen to you.
Article by, Suresh Nair and courtesy of Resume Writing Quick Guide - Quick way to a professional resume
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