How can candidates control nerves during an interview?
Prepare well in advance to reduce anxiety by practicing and knowing what to expect. During the interview, breathe deeply, think positively, remind yourself there are other options, and ask for a brief pause or water to collect your thoughts.
Getting nervous before the interview is a natural thing that most candidates go through.
However, when it gets out of hand, it can cause unnecessary problems for the candidate like blanking out, stuttering, not being able to focus, and so on.
But the good news here is that if you are well prepared, your nerves won’t be as bad.
Plus when you already know what to expect and have prepared for similar situations prior to the interview, you are more likely to feel more confident and less anxious.
Therefore, the best way to feel confident on your day of the interview is to prepare well in advance.
But if you still feel anxious during the day, here are some tips to help you keep your nerves under control:
- Take deep breaths. Yes, it is a cliche and you might have heard it before but it actually works. Focus on your breath and collect your thoughts while breathing in and out.
- Think positive. You’ve put in a lot of time and effort to prepare for the interview and it’s nothing you haven’t done before during your practice sessions. Believe in yourself and know that you know what to expect.
- Remember that there are plenty of other options. Even if you cannot make it through this interview, there are other options and it’s not the end of the world. At times, thinking this way helps you take some pressure off the situation and will help you calm down.
And during the interview, if you feel too nervous to speak, it’s alright to ask the interviewer for a glass of water to buy you time to recollect your thoughts and calm down.
The recruiters know that candidates feel nervous. After all, they are humans too.
Just remember that rather than blurting out something stupid out of nervousness, it’s always better to ask the recruiter for a moment to recollect your thoughts.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is it normal to feel nervous before an interview?
It is normal for you to feel nervous before an interview. Getting nervous before the interview is a natural thing that most candidates go through.
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How can preparation help you control interview nerves?
Prepare well in advance to feel confident and keep nerves from getting as bad. If you are well prepared, your nerves won’t be as bad.
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How do you calm yourself right before an interview?
Take deep breaths, think positive, and remember there are plenty of other options to take pressure off and calm down. Focus on your breath and collect your thoughts while breathing in and out.
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What should you do if you feel too nervous to speak during an interview?
Ask the interviewer for a glass of water to buy time to recollect your thoughts and calm down.
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Is it better to pause and collect your thoughts than to blurt out an answer in an interview?
It’s better to ask for a moment to recollect your thoughts rather than blurting out something out of nervousness.
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Do recruiters understand that candidates feel nervous?
Recruiters know candidates feel nervous. After all, they are humans too.
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When should you prepare to feel confident on interview day?
Prepare well in advance to feel confident on the day of the interview. When you already know what to expect, you are more likely to feel more confident and less anxious.
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How does thinking about other options help with interview nerves?
Remind yourself there are plenty of other options to take pressure off the situation and help you calm down.
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Can focusing on your breath help you calm down before an interview?
Focusing on your breath helps you calm down before an interview. Take deep breaths and collect your thoughts while breathing in and out.
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Should you think positive and believe in yourself before an interview?
Think positive and believe in yourself to reduce anxiety. You’ve put in a lot of time and effort to prepare, and you know what to expect.
