ob interviews are really nerve-wracking experiences, and can reduce even the most confident and self-assured candidates into a gibbering wreck. It’s so easy to get caught up in the moment and let nerves take over when you’re thrown by a particularly tough question, but it’s important to keep those nerves under control.
The interviewer will be expecting you to be slightly nervous, but not being able to make notes because your hand’s shaking that much won’t exactly fill them with confidence.
I know, it’s easier said than done to keep your cool, take your time and prove to the interviewer that you have control of the situation, but these 8 tips on how to keep those nerves at bay should help you when you’re next in an interview situation!
1) Try And Get A Morning Interview
If you’re lucky enough to be able to choose your own interview time, then make sure you opt for a morning slot. This will mean you won’t be able to dwell on the interview all day, which will make your nerves even worse.
An ideal time would be around 11am, which will give you time to have a good night’s sleep, enjoy breakfast and take your time getting to the interview itself.
2) Prepare Your Answers
One of the worst things that can happen in an interview is to be faced with a question that you simply cannot answer. Luckily, you can predict a lot of the questions that will come your way, so make sure you prepare answers to each one and say them out loud over and over so they stick in your head.
Check out our interview advice section of our blog for tips on how to answer the most common interview questions.
3) Practise, Practise, Practise
So you’ve prepared your answers to those tough interview questions, but how will you know if they come across well? Practise is key!
Roleplay interview situations with your friends so you can see how you come across. You could even film it to see for yourself and see what improvements could be made. Also, this is a great way to spot any body language no-nos and nip them in the bud!
4) Give Yourself Plenty Of Time
Rushing is something that can trigger your nerves and leave you breathless and unable to think. Allow yourself plenty of time on the day of the interview and make sure that you have everything prepared.
Lay out your outfit the night before, make sure you have a copy of your CV and any other supporting material ready, have an early night and allow yourself time to have a light but nutritious breakfast. Also, make sure you give yourself enough time to get to the interview, allowing for traffic and any other delays.
5) Have Confidence In Yourself
If you’re doubtful of yourself in an interview, then the interviewer will be too. If you’re confident in your own ability, then that will shine through and the interviewer will automatically feel more confident about you as well.
Read through your CV, and reiterate to yourself your strengths and what you can offer this role. Remember, the interviewer isn’t trying to catch you out, he or she just wants the best person for the job!
6) Don’t Rush
No one likes interviews, and we all just want them to be over as soon as possible. But the worst thing you can do is rush your way through answering questions and dart for the door as soon as it’s over.
When you’re asked a question, pause for ten seconds before answering and think through your answer. You won’t get minus points for pausing – but you will for a rushed answer!
7) Breathe
Before you head into the interview room, take a few deep breathes to relax and prepare yourself. It may sound silly, but remember to breathe during the interview too!
Just like the previous point, you need to take a breath before each question to prepare, and to make sure you don’t run out of breath halfway through your answer – embarrassing!
8) Smile
Smiling is contagious, so make sure you’re friendly and smiley when you greet the interviewer and during the interview itself. Interviews don’t have to be sour-faced extremely formal situations, so make sure you come across as approachable and put the interviewer at ease – they might be nervous too!
