How To Overcome Interview Anxiety

Why Quantifying Your Work History Is Essential

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Quantifying your work history is usually the hardest part of writing a resume for job seekers. It’s simply not something we learn in school. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t want to know how you did your job or what your tasks were. All they care about are the results.

What did you make happen as a result of your work? How did you add value? When you quantify your work history, a recruiter can look at the hiring manager and say, “This person has done this, this, and this. And here are the numbers to prove it.” That’s why your resume needs to be quantified. It’s proof that you’re a qualified job candidate and a valuable potential employee.

Interviewing Anxiety In A Pandemic: How Do I Calm My Nerves

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Struggling to cope with ones anxiety before, during, and/or after an employment interview is a common problem that many people face when applying for jobs . Since the prospect of receiving an interview invite is rather unavoidable before being offered a job, it is one of the most prominent methods used in the hiring process to determine whether you are the right fit for the job. However, partaking in this process can not only be overly stimulating for an individual who does not enjoy social situations but also leads to a high amount of anxiety that is experienced by many candidates worldwide . According to several studies, these anxious interviewing experiences have not only led to more unsuccessful interview performance outcomes for the candidates but are at a lower chance of securing a job.

Due to COVID-19 and the circumstances of the virtual work environment that many of us now face, many companies have been forced to conduct virtual interviewing instead of face-to-face interviewing during this global pandemic. Based on the recent literature on this area, interviewing anxiety has continued to persist at an all-time high during the pandemic of Coronavirus disease-19 . However, many researchers now suggest the efficacy of using VI for job placing, as there may be several benefits for future applicants and institutions preparing to partake in the interviewing process.

Being aware of what youre eating or drinking the day of the interview

Breathe!

Embrace Your Nervous Energy

If you do even a small amount of research on this, you’ll find that opinion goes both ways regarding whether you should confess your nervousness to an interviewer. While it’s always a good idea to admit nervousness to yourself , it’s usually best to avoid telling the interviewer that. Some interviewers might view it as a lack of confidence.

Yet, still embrace your nervous energy and try to channel it into something more positive for your interview. One way to do that is to present it as enthusiasm. Tell yourself that you’re excited, rather than nervous. This change of perspective will then help keep you focused on why you’re there in the first place the excitement of a new job opportunity.

At the end of the day, being nervous is normal, so allow yourself to feel it. Besides, suppressing your anxiety will bring about a whole host of problems that are best to avoid.

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Anxiety Says Nothing About Your Potential

Enough of techniques. Now I want to share a few words from my heart because I often come across a lot of BS online that can affect young souls who want to break into competitive industries such as investment banking.

Experiencing anxiety and not performing at your best yet, says nothing about your potential and how high you can get.

Anxiety says nothing about whether you are cut out for the job or not.

Anxiety says nothing about how well you can perform in the job later.

Dont let anyone discourage you just to make themselves feel better or more capable.

Loving you, Angelos.

PS: For more tips and tricks on subscribe below and Ill send you my complete guide to anxiety and more goodies.

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Before You Go: Embrace The Upside Of Stress

Dont push it away: Anxiety is a sign that you care about the interview and want to do well. Telling yourself not to have anxiety is actually more likely to make you even more anxious.

So embracing the stress that bubbles up before your interview, and mentally preparing yourself for it, can actually help reduce the anxiety you feel as a result.

As ironic as it sounds, interpreting your anxiety as something that will help you to be better prepared can go a long way, says Dr. Jacinta M. Jiménez, a psychologist and board-certified leadership coach.

In fact, Stanford psychologist Kelly McGonigal has conducted research to show that embracing stress is more important that reducing it. Stress isnt always harmful, she said in an article for Stanford. Once you appreciate that going through stress makes you better at it, it can be easier to face each new challenge.

Rather than being a sign that something is wrong with your life, feeling stressed can actually tell us that we are engaged in activities and relationships that matter to us which is ultimately a positive thing!

Shifting the dialogue in our brains can help us adapt, and ease the triggers that might escalate our anxiety.

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The Aftermath: Dont Forget About Compassion

Congrats! You made it through the interview. Now breathe deeply because the hard part is over. The next part, waiting, just requires patience, and a lot of compassion for yourself.

Practice radical acceptance: In other words? Know that you will be OK regardless of the outcome. Sometimes the first or even fifth job that comes along isnt the right fit, but that doesnt mean the right job isnt out there for you!

The more you have an attachment to an outcome, the more likely youre going to grasp, cling, and strive for that outcome, increasing the chance of your suffering if the outcome doesnt go your way, says Joree Rose, a licensed marriage and family therapist. So go in with confidence and preparation, and let it be OK if you dont get it.

Interrupt Negative & What If Thoughts

Negative thoughts can be very convincing, but are not helpful. When you notice them creeping in, you must interrupt them as quickly as possible and replace them with something positive and helpful. This can be a positive mantra, like I am capable, or even singing and dancing. It is important to replace this negative thinking with another thought or activity, because it will decrease the opportunity for those thoughts to come back. , LMFT

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Tips For Overcoming Interview Anxiety

Dena Westphalen

Pharm. D.

Interviewing for a new job can be an anxiety-provoking experience, but there are ways you can calm your nerves, develop confidence, and nail the interview. Before your interview, research all you can about the company and have several answers prepared. Right before, take some deep breaths and do a power pose. Remember, you made it this far for a reason.

Here are 25 tips from licensed therapists and HR professionals to help you overcome interview anxiety:

How Can I Calm My Nerves Before An Interview

Before an interview, it’s important to find your inner peace, no matter how nervous you are. If you’re stressed out about an upcoming interview, conscious or controlled breathing can help bring balance to the mind and body.

Focus solely on your breath — deep inhalations in and slow exhalations out. This process can lead to less tension and clearer thinking. When you take control of your body’s reaction to stress, you can curtail the “fight or flight” response that creates anxiety. You can also try this before bedtime to get a recharging night’s sleep. Go into your interview more centered and composed, ready for the challenge ahead.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should consult with their physician to obtain advice with respect to any medical condition or treatment.

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Release Your Nervous Energy

Even when you believe your anxiety is well-hidden, it sometimes manages to sneak out. If you catch yourself fidgeting, try a less noticeable method of releasing the tension, such as wiggling your toes or doing a subtle amount of gradual muscle relaxation. Take a few long, deep breaths if you want to .

What Is Interview Anxiety

It is entirely reasonable to feel a little bit of stress before a big interview. A lot is riding on the outcome, and you want to make sure that you prepare well and perform at your highest level.

In fact, you can even use a little stress to your advantage. You can use it as the fuel to prepare better, and increase your alertness and focus during the interview.

But for people that are prone to social anxiety disorder , a condition that makes them irrationally fearful of being judged and humiliated, the nervousness can get out of hand during an interview. It can cause them to get jittery, impacting how they present themselves .

If you suffer from social anxiety, or youre simply worried that youll get too nervous during your interview, the following tips will help you remain calm and focused.

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How Can I Overcome Interview Anxiety

If you suffer from social anxiety, it might be worth looking into solutions like cognitive-behavioral therapy . But if you have an interview coming up soon, what you need right now are fast-acting solutions that will help you calm the nerves, and maintain your composure and focus.

Here are some things you can do before the interview to overcome anxiety and nervousness.

Use Your Stress As Adrenaline

Nervousness and adrenaline are highly correlatedthats why studies show that getting pumped up instead of calmed down before public speaking produces better results.

So if youre shaking and your bloods rushinggood. Go with it. As Muse writer and consultant , By reframing your nervous energy as excited energy, you can still feel amped upjust in a way that helps you perform better instead of a way that hinders you.

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How To Calm Your Interview Nerves During The Interview

Once the interview starts, anxieties can flare up and it is easy to get flustered even if you have begun on solid footing. Reining in your nerves before they get out of control is possible even in the direst of scenarios.

10. Watch your posture

Sitting comfortably but attentively is necessary to make sure you can complete the interview without having to fidget and shuffle around, and to project an air of confidence and dynamism. Slouching is not an option, nor is sitting on the edge of your seat, so try to find a balance between the two upright and engaged without appearing flighty.

11. Calm shaky hands

If you feel your hands shaking, do not clamp them in your lap or fold your arms. By clenching your thigh muscles instead you will calm the shakes and still be able to use them to make open, honest gestures as you speak.

12. Focus on the questions

Nerves can crank your inner critic up to 11 and might mean that you miss an important aspect of a question you are asked, so try to focus on what the interviewer is saying.

13. Breathe

Making a conscious effort to breath evenly and listen will naturally combat other issues caused by anxiety, such as a rising pulse rate, so there are a range of benefits to gain.

14. Keep in mind they are on your side

Nervous About A Job Interview 15 Smart Strategies To Conquer Your Anxiety

No matter how many job interviews youve gone through, its perfectly normal to get nervous beforehand. You might be unable to sleep the night before or feel your stomach tying up in knots as the meeting time draws closer. If nervousness about a job interview becomes overwhelming, it can hinder your performance.

Luckily, there are several things you can do to help alleviate your anxiety. Below, 15 members of Forbes Human Resources Council share smart strategies job candidates can tap into before an interview to calm down and get in the right mindset.

Members of Forbes Human Resources Council share helpful tips for calming your nerves before a job interview

1. Remind yourself that the employer thinks you belong there.

Whether face-to-face or virtual, its common to be nervous before an interview. One quick thing everyone can do right before an interview to help calm any nerves and get into the right mindset is to remember that the employer agreed to meet with you, so its clear the employer thinks that you already belong there. Now all you have to do is simply have a conversation with them to show theyre right. – Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, BMC Software

2. Learn everything you can about the company.

3. Go back over the details.

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What Are The Chances Of Passing An Interview

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4. Identify your talking points.

Being nervous before an interview is normal, and its a sign that you care about the outcome! The best thing you can do to ease your anxiety is to be prepared. Print out any materials you may need, pick out your outfit and know your talking points ahead of time. If youre interviewing remotely, ensure you are comfortable with the tech being used. This will help you avoid any day-of worries. – Larry Dolinko, The Execu|Search Group

5. Practice storytelling.

Stay positive, and dont doubt your abilities. Be prepared, as a lack of preparedness can exacerbate your confidence and nerves. Practicing storytellingthe ability to tell someone about your experience will help you get comfortable. Stay calm and try slow, focused deep-breathing exercises. Warm up your voice, and practice tongue twisters to improve articulation. – Jacqlyn Nedvin, Autism Speaks Inc.

6. View yourself as the CEO of your career.

During your preparation, worry less about what people are going to ask and focus more on what you are going to share. Yes, it is a Catch-22. Ultimately, only you know and can tell your story. As the CEO of your career, you are the expert on the path you have taken throughout your journey. This shift in mindset empowers you to control the narrative and to view yourself as a subject-matter expert. – Megan McCann, McCann Partners

7. Ask those closest to you about your nervous habits.

8. Think about what you want the interviewer to feel.

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Find Your Dream Job With Turn2partners

As you prepare for your interview, keep these tips to overcome nerves in an interview in mind. By preparing ahead of time, doing your research and staying positive, you will walk into your interview with confidence.

If you are searching for your dream finance, accounting or HR job in Washington, D.C., work with the professional recruiters at Turn2Partners. We take pride in helping candidates find the right job for them. At Turn2, we make recruiting more than a transaction. We are your trusted partner in finding the right job near you. Contact Turn2Partners and land your dream job.

Practice The Stop Method

According to executive coach Chris Charyk, this is the ultimate mental trick to tackle any stressful situation. It goes like this:

• Stop what youre doing and focus on your thoughts.
• Take a few deep breaths.
• Observe whats going on in your body, emotions, and mind, and why youre feeling them.
• Proceed with an intention to incorporate what you observed in your actions.

The importance of this technique is to slow down and be deliberate not just in the things you do, but the feelings you let take over. It reminds you that you have the power to banish your own fears, doubts, and nerves in even the most pressure-cooker situations.

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Cross Your T’s And Dot Your I’s

Preparing for your interview will involve a variety of simple tasks that need to get done like printing your resume, picking your outfit, and ensuring that your car has gas in it. These tasks are pretty effortless, but if left undone until interview day they can feel like big weights and leave you unnecessarily overwhelmed and flustered.

Avoid this unnecessary pre-interview anxiety by creating a list of all these tasks and setting appropriate deadlines for yourself. Think of all this as strategizing your time so that you can get the simple things out of the way and focus on the important task of achieving a positive mindset. The last thing you want is to be flustered, hungry, or lost on interview day.

#ProTip: Eat a protein-rich meal beforehand with a reasonable amount of slow digesting carbs it will fuel you well without making you feel bloated.