How-To Overcome Interview Fears

Does your heart pound when you walk into a job interview? Do your palms start sweating? If you suffer from interview related anxiety you are not alone!

According to a 2013 survey from Harris Interactive and Everest College, 92% of U.S. adults get anxiety when interviewing for jobs.

Your anxiety could be hurting your chances of landing the job. Employers are looking for confident candidates that will be able to communicate with clients and colleagues. An impressive resume rarely overcomes a poor first impression.

As a recruiter, I see many well-qualified candidates lose the job due to a poor interview. Learn how to get your nerves under control with these interview preparation tips:

Know that the Interviewers Want You to Succeed

Interviews are timely and expensive for employers. Hiring managers want to find a well-equipped employee quickly.

Instead of assuming that hiring managers are trying to find something wrong with you, focus on showcasing your accomplishments and goals. They want to know that you are a good fit for the company.

Recognize Why You Want the Job

Most of us feel more passionate about a task when we have purpose. You need to feel the same passion to create a successful job interview. If you are searching for a new job, you probably are unhappy with your current position, need an increase in pay, or change in lifestyle. Keep the reason in mind.

There are two questions that you should be prepared to answer:

1. Why are you interested in the company?
2. Why are you interested in the job?

 

Research the company to answer those questions well.

Prepare Your Attire the Night Before

You want to scramble as little as possible the morning of your interview. Lay out your outfit the night before to cut time and stress. This also ensures your clothes are professional, stain-free and pressed.

Meditate Before Your Interview

A resume and job experience gets you in front of an interview team. Once you land the interview, you need to be calm and collected. Meditation is used to develop concentration, increase clarity, and decrease stress. For the best results, meditate for weeks approaching the interview and the morning the interview takes place.
Meditation for Job Interviews

To meditate and relax, simply take deep breathes in and out at a rate of 2-3 seconds in, and 2-3 seconds out. As you exhale, repeat any or all of the following thoughts in your mind. Do this for even a couple of minutes and you will feel your stress and anxiety decrease.

I am prepared and confident
The right job will find me
I am humble but confident in front of others
I belong where I am appreciated

Research the Company and Interview Team

Perform thorough research so you have few surprises during the interview. Research the LinkedIn profile of the people you will interview with. This will help you get more familiar with their backgrounds and may help you find some common ground to talk about in the interview to help reduce the stress.

Know the products and services that the company provides. Do a quick Google search of the company’s background, news, and recent events. The more you know, the better. Surprises can spark anxiety, but knowledge can spark confidence