Preparing in Advance
Thorough preparation can help alleviate job interview stress. Identify your most relevant skills and be ready to share examples or stories that illustrate how you’ve applied those skills in work, volunteering, academic activities, or school projects, and how you achieved positive outcomes. Here are some tips on how to prepare for a job interview. If you are interviewing out of town or in another state, you can take some additional steps to prepare for a successful interview. If you are an introverted person, interviews can be really taxing. Review these interview tips for introverts to help you prepare.
Research the Company
Carefully research the target company and be prepared to discuss why you want to work there. Here’s how to research a company.
Practice Interview Skills
The saying “practice makes perfect” applies to interviews. The more accustomed you are to interviews, the less anxious you are likely to feel. Meet with mentors, advisors, and friends to conduct mock interviews or practice exercises. Conduct informational interviews as much as possible with alumni or personal contacts to gain confidence in sharing information about your background.
Don’t Rely on Just This Job
Actively search for jobs to generate as many interviews as possible. The stress levels associated with any individual interview are likely to be lower if you have multiple other opportunities. Here’s more on how to search for a job effectively.
Avoid Negative Thinking
Interview-related stress is often influenced by the assumptions we make or the statements we tell ourselves about the process. Identifying and confronting anxious thoughts can help reduce anxiety levels. Some negative thoughts that may increase your anxiety include:
- “I must get this job, or I’ll be unemployed.”
- “I messed up that answer, I’ve failed, and I won’t be hired here.”
- “I’m afraid they’ll ask me a question that makes me feel stupid.”
- “There’s no way I’m qualified for this job.”
Review your academic qualifications repeatedly before the interview to convince yourself that you have the right qualifications.
Focus on Success
Many sports coaches and career coaches believe that visualizing success can improve performance and reduce anxiety. Try to envision positive interactions during your interview, especially in the hours leading up to it. Note: advisors recommend relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation or breathing exercises as a way to cope with anxiety. There are other strategies you can use to deal with job search stress as well. If your anxiety about interviews is excessive, you may consider seeking a therapist to identify underlying issues and help you develop effective coping strategies. Another point to remember is that if you don’t get this job, there will be another one. It wasn’t meant to be. Consider it a learning experience and move on to the next opportunity.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-to-avoid-job-interview-stress-2061302
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