SUMMARY POINTS

  • Interviews are a nerve-wracking experience
  • Calm down the jitters and shake things off right before the interview
  • Be confident in knowing that you got what it takes to nail it
You’ve endured countless online applications, submitted tons of resumes, and been ghosted a million times. You’re only a few clicks away from losing your shit during the job search. It seems like you never make it past the initial application submission. It always seems like you’re stuck in the early stages.

However, this time, it’s different. You’ve gotten past the first hurdle of getting noticed by the recruiter and/or HR person. This time, you not only get a receipt confirmation but also get a real reply from a human. It feels like a miracle.

It’s like you hit the job-hunting lottery. You got that burst of optimism and joy. You feel like this could be your chance to change jobs or industries so that you can get out of your current shit show.

Over the next few days, you exchange emails with the HR recruiter to schedule a phone interview followed by an in-person session.

Now the day has come and you’re sitting there with less than an hour left before the interview begins. You are mentally prepared but at the same time, you feel like you’re not totally ready either.

Put more simply, you’re nervous as hell and you’re worried that it’ll come across as being unprepared or unknowledgeable during the interview.

This isn’t the most ideal state to be in. You gotta calm the fuck down, like right now so that you don’t blow this interview.

Why Do We Get Nervous Before Interviews?

Walking into a job interview can often feel like stepping onto a karaoke stage with all eyes on you. The nerves, the sweaty palms, the racing heart – we've all been there.

But why do we get so nervous before interviews?

And more importantly, how can we manage these nerves to put our best foot forward?

Let's break it down.

The Fear of the Unknown

One of the main reasons for interview anxiety is the fear of the unknown. They know more about you, your background and the position they are trying to fill. Other than your work history and personal life, you pretty much don’t know shit.

For the interview, they have the upper hand. You don't know exactly what questions will be asked, who you will meet, or how the interview will unfold. This uncertainty can be unsettling and cause nerves to kick in.

High Stakes And Pressure

Interviews often feel like high-stakes situations. The outcome can significantly impact your career path, finances, and personal life.

If you snag the job, then it can be a nice pay bump. Or, maybe it’s the escape route from your current toxic workplace. Whatever the case may be, you want this and if it doesn’t work out, you’ll feel like you’re never gonna improve your less-than-ideal situation. All of this pressure can make anyone jittery.

Desire To Impress

We all want to make a good impression. The desire to be liked, respected, and considered competent can add another layer of stress. When combined with the feeling of being judged by hiring managers and HR reps on the other side of the table, it's no wonder our nerves go into overdrive.

All of a sudden our minds take on a personality like an overprotective mom nagging you to tuck in your shirt, sit up straight, check your face, brush your hair, etc. When it gets really bad, you gotta step in the quiet the asshole in your head so that it doesn’t derail things.

Fight Or Flight Response

Our bodies are wired to react to stressful situations with the fight or flight response. This ancient survival mechanism increases adrenaline, heart rate, and alertness. While helpful in dangerous life-threatening situations, it can be less so in an interview setting.

The rush of cortisol can lead to feelings of anxiety and nervousness which can negatively affect your thinking and make you look jittery. The worst part is that the stress response can freeze your thinking and wipe out all the information that you’ve memorized. 

Preparing For Interview Success By Calming Down

You’ve already done your homework in preparing for the interview. You’ve researched the company, its culture, and the role you're applying. All of that normal prep is done and ready to go in your mind.

What’s not ready is your state of mind. You can’t come across like you’re on your first date. You gotta get your mind and attitude tuned in just right.

So here are some key things that you can do when the clock is ticking down and the interview is only just moments away.

Do One-Minute Breathing Meditations

When you’re ten minutes away from the interview, one easy way to calm down the jitters is to do one-minute breathing meditations. These meditations are a simple technique to calm your nervous system. Take slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. This can help reduce anxiety and bring a sense of calm.

Visualize A Smooth Interview

Visualization can be a powerful tool. Imagine yourself succeeding in the interview. Picture the setting, your confident demeanor, and the positive reactions of the interviewers. This can help boost your confidence and reduce nerves.

Watch Meditative Nature Clips

Mother nature is the best source of calm and inspiration. No matter how nervous and stressed you may be, watching a simple meditative video clip of a natural landscape on YouTube is all you need to dial down the anxiety. It’s a great easy desk meditation to do before a video call. Put on your headphones, go full screen and watch a short 3-5 minute nature video clip to calm down.

Say Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations can help shift your mindset. Remind yourself of your strengths, accomplishments, and the value you bring. Good vibes like this can help counteract negative thoughts and build self-confidence.

Shake It Off

Sometimes, stress can build up energy in your body. And, when your body needs to get rid of this energy, it does so by making your hands, legs and body jitter. One great way to release this energy is follow the Taylor Swift’s advice and shake it off. Stand up and do a full-body shake. Do a few head-to-toe shakes or even a micro exercise sesh to get the energy out and bring down your nervousness.

Go For A Short Walk

One alternative to shaking your body is to go outside for a short 5-minute walk in nature or just around the block. This is an effective way to release some of that pent-up energy and not work up a big sweat. Only consider this option if the weather is ideal. You don’t want to be all sweaty or freezing right before the interview.

Calm Down And Nail The Interview

Feeling nervous before an interview is normal, but it doesn't have to derail your success. By understanding the root causes of your anxiety and adopting practical strategies, you can manage your nerves, get in the zone and kick ass in your interview.

Use any of the above methods about an hour or less before the scheduled interview to calm your nerves and get your mind in a confident and comfortable state. And when you do, you’ll nail this interview. Guaranteed.

Feel Better,
[Cubicle|Therapy]

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