Do you get anxious before a job interview? You’re not alone! Even confident interviewees sometimes have apprehension in the process, and some interviewers seem to go out of their way to make our fears worse.
So here are some tips and tricks for handling things gracefully.
- Get ready. This means to know as much as you can before the interview, and to get as prepared as possible. Try on your outfit well in advance. If it’s in person, it at all possible, go to the site at the same time of day and via the same mode of transportation you plan to use. If it’s online, be sure to check your tech to make sure it’s all working. Review the job description and any information they’ve sent you. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early if the interview is in person, or 10 minutes early if it’s via computer. If they’re calling you, just be sure you’re comfortable and ready to answer the phone.
- Give yourself a pep talk. You’ve accomplished lots of things already! Remind yourself of those things so you can go in feeling as confident as possible.
- Have some notes. It’s absolutely fine to have notes with you when you interview. Don’t simply stare at them as you answer, of course, but feel free to refer to them as needed. I like to acknowledge them right at the start with something like, “I hope you don’t mind, but I made notes of a few things I want to be sure to cover today, as well as some questions I have for you.” Your notes can contain memory-joggers for the stories you want to tell, particular phrases that are important, key skills or accomplishments, and so forth. You can also have a pen with you to jot down anything that feels important in the moment, like the interviewers’ names or any longer questions they ask you.
- If you start to panic, don’t panic! Smile, take a deep breath, and mentally re-ground yourself. Think about the sensations in your body: your feet on the floor, your back against the chair. If that doesn’t do it, say something like “Hmmmm” or “That’s a good question” to buy a little time, and then silently note 5 things you can see without turning your head. That will stop your brain from spinning, spinning, spinning, and you should be able to answer the question.
- Think of what’s likely behind the questions. I know that there’s a lot of speculation out there that employers like to ask “gotcha” questions, but honestly those don’t benefit them, so reframe your thinking a bit. They aren’t likely to ask you questions that don’t actually give them any information, so even strange things like, “What superpower would you give yourself if you could?” almost always have something behind them. If you make your best guess at those reasons, you are almost sure to give them something really good. (And be sure to say why! The real meat of a strange interview question is in your reasoning.)
Remember, they’re not interviewing you out of some act of kindness or, worse, malice. They think you have something to offer, so this is your chance to demonstrate it! Each time you interview, you’ll get a little better at the process, so treat yourself kindly and gently as you go through the process, and learn whenever you feel you’ve made a misstep.
