10 ways to calm those interview nerves.

I had my first, formal job interview 20 years ago.

This is naturally quite something based, on the fact that I’ve been 35 years old for the last 5 years. ANYWAY, my point: from that very first one, to my last one in 2009 (for my current role) I was never nervous about job interviews. Seriously, NEVER. When I look back, I don’t know why I wasn’t – I needed and wanted those jobs, but I just couldn’t get myself worked up to be #nervousenough. I’m the exception, not the rule when it comes to that, I appreciate. When I consider “why” I wasn’t more on edge, I think it’s a simple case that I always felt any kind of decent job interview, needed to have a thread of conversation right the way through it. And I can talk! It MUST be a great conversation for so many reasons, but essentially, in my book (whenever that gets printed) a job interview should be an amazing dialogue between the candidate and the hiring team. It relies on preparation, empathy, rapport built as quickly as lightning and respect on both sides.

I’ve coached people for interviews for the last 50 years and the recommendations are always as individually tailored as I can make them. If I take a step back and generalize, how someone could calm themselves and get in a place where mentally, they can be the best they can be, in an interview situation, this is what I would say:

1.      Learn about the company.

This is out of respect for the business who is interviewing you and to give you an immediate comfort factor as soon as they ask, “What do you know about us?” Business research isn’t enough IMO however, get some wider knowledge of the industry and equally as important, the company’s competitors. Finally, for your own benefit, check out their reviews and responses on Glass door to get as balanced a view as possible.

2.      Prepare examples that match the job spec.

Go back to the job spec and pre-prepare some highlights which relate to the skill set they’re asking for. This is your life, so you know it, because you lived it, but in a pressurized situation, you may forget one of your major achievements, so have them ready and have them to illustrate how they and you match the job spec.

3.      Take some chill out time to escape.

Do yourself a favor the night before – do your prep, then do something for yourself, totally unrelated for an hour, so you escape and just be a person. You need to free your mind up before you go back into any last minute preparation. This is important. It puts the job interview into the bigger context of “life” and reminds you, you must be a human and not a robot while you’re interviewing. Work, life balance is as relevant as ever.

4.      Focus.

On the journey in, take responsibility and focus yourself. Clear your mind, block out the other commuters and focus on what you need to do and say. I’ve always done it with music. Whatever your choice, use the music to concentrate and zone IN to the task ahead. If you need to chill, get your chill out playlist handy; if you need to fire yourself up: find the Rocky IV soundtrack. Know what you personally need and create the zone with your music.

5.      The journey.

Don’t assume that just because you know your own city that you don’t need to work out the transport route, check on the address, locate the reception etc. Last minute stresses are not and never will be your friend in circumstances like job interviews. Reduce the potential curve balls that can come your way, on the day and know where you need to be. When it comes to keeping nerves at bay, every little helps.

6.      Be comfortable.

Have your clothes ready the night before and make sure you’ll be comfortable in them. Not everyone likes business dress or feels comfortable in a suit (I would rather die), but if needs must, plan your interview outfit and be confident that the shirt isn’t too tight or not tight enough and that the collar won’t rub your neck, annoy you or cause a weird rash (or is that just me!?)

7.      Eye contact.

Rocks. It rules. It matters; every Hiring Manager looks for it. Literally. From first impression to goodnight and thank you this shouldn’t be underestimated. Guess what? Don’t over do it. Don’t strain yourself, or them. This is a balancing act – maintain eye contact but not to the extent that they feel uncomfortable or stalked by it. Be natural. Natural takes work and practice sometimes. Master it and the nerves will keep in their place.

8.      Problem solver.

Walk in presenting yourself as the solution to their problems. Know it and believe it, because it’s true. If you honestly don’t feel like this, why are you there? This is a key theme to delivering a successful interview: “you need this” – “here’s how I match…” #mantra.

9.      It’s not just about THEM.

This is an oldie but a goodie and it’s easy to forget. Yes, they have the “power” to appoint you, but you owe it to yourself to treat the whole experience as a fact finding mission. If you ARE offered the position, do you want it? Will you take it? The insight you glean in your research/prep for the meeting is invaluable, likewise in how you’re treated and what your personal candidate experience is. Keep at the forefront of your mind that the time spent is also for YOU. You’ll be surprised at what that does to keep those nerves in check.

10.  Be open minded

You prep, you feel hydrated (PS have a drink with you, always) and you like the outfit you have – so you’re good to go. One final tip: go in with an open mind. You must. They might sit you down and walk you through a series of competency-based questions or ask you to quote lines from your favorite movie. Who knows? Not you, until you’ve finished the meeting. More employers in today’s world are so conscious of creating an interesting, innovative, talked about candidate experience (even paying creative gurus large sums of cash to build one to rival their competitors and make them stand out) – so be ready for anything. Take it all in the spirit it’s meant and remember, remember they’re telling you who they are with every role play, presentation and question.

In summary, the more you interview, the more you prep (and the older you get) the more the comfort factor comes in for interviews which are possibly the most unnatural, natural conversation since the invention of the first date. It’s life and we get better at it – provided we learn the lessons along the way and THAT dear reader, is another story for another time.