In the interview, people put their patience and confidence to the test. It is a place where even the calmest and most balanced people get nervous and end up ruining it during the interview. Therefore, everyone should learn not to fall into the trap of the old nervousness and anxiety that overwhelms them in the interview room.
This is nothing to be ashamed of. We all get nervous sometimes; it is normal human behaviour to get nervous in uncomfortable situations. This happens most often to first-year students who do not yet know how to handle a job interview and how to overcome stress during the interview.
If you belong to this category and want to learn how to be less nervous when answering questions during a job interview, you should read this article all the way through.
In this guide, you will get 10 good tips on how to overcome anxiety during a job interview.
1. Be prepared and do your research
One of the biggest mistakes that can erode a candidate’s confidence is a lack of research and preparation. What makes someone nervous depends entirely on the individual. However, there are a few things that happen to most people.
Lack of research and preparation can be seen in your eyes and the interviewer guesses right away. Therefore, the most important advice for you is to practice. Before you arrive at the interview venue, make sure you do enough research.
If you have prepared everything, your confidence will come through in your answers.
If you haven’t done enough research about the company or the position, you will be nervous when answering the questions and thus lose your self-confidence for the rest of the interview.
2. Arrive early at the interview venue
Always arrive at the interview venue at least 15 to 30 minutes before the interview starts. Arriving at the last minute or being late for the interview will only make you nervous and stressed.
Besides creating a negative image of yourself in the interviewer’s mind, you will start to lose your self-confidence after being late and you will not be able to answer questions with the same confidence that you would have if you were on time.
3. Never speak quickly
Due to excitement or nervousness, most candidates, especially beginners, tend to speak too loudly or too quickly. Talking fast is really dangerous for two reasons. Firstly, your answers do not seem very clear to the interviewers and this creates confusion.
They may even ask you to repeat your answer. Secondly, if you talk fast you will run out of breath. If you talk too fast at once, you will run out of breath after a few minutes and this will disrupt the flow of your answers.
That is why it is best to take your time before answering questions. Don’t rush, speak slowly; no one will interrupt you if you answer slowly.
Take a deep breath in between. Yes, the interview is important, but it is even more important that you give answers you are confident in.
4. Stop shaking.
Shaking happens most often when you are sitting in a chair and struggling to give answers. Shaking happens involuntarily in response to the threat your mind perceives. The best way to stop the shaking is to tighten the muscles in your thighs or the area where the shaking occurs.
Observe your body and find the places where you become weak. Tense your muscles and look more confident.
5. Stop moving your voice
If you often suffer from a trembling voice in nervous situations, you can try something. Open your mouth and stick out your tongue as far as you can. Sing out loud a children’s song that you like.
It will help clear your throat and make you sound better, and your trembling voice will disappear. Don’t do it in front of people, otherwise, they will think you are crazy.
6. Find a comfortable sitting position
If you are at the final interview, do not sit down unless you are asked to. If the interview team asks you to sit, find a comfortable chair and sit up straight. Do not lean back and be careful not to make any sudden movements.
If you adopt a comfortable posture, you will look more confident and avoid the tension and discomfort you may feel.
7. Bring water.
One of the most underestimated things during a job interview is to bring your own water bottle. It can prevent you from getting dehydrated and makes you feel fresher.
There is usually plenty of water at the interview venue, but bring your own water bottle just to be sure. Do not ask for water in the interview room either, as this will prevent you from answering with a dry mouth.
8. Express yourself with your hands and maintain eye contact
Although some people find it embarrassing, if you are nervous, eye contact helps to relieve nervous tension. To avoid appearing nervous, you can also use your hands to gesture and boost your confidence.
By using your hands to express yourself, you will make a better impression on the interviewers.
9. Listen carefully and then answer
Listening is one of the most underrated skills you can have. Conducting an interview is not just about speaking confidently and giving the right answers.
Instead, it is about how well you understand your surroundings and how well you listen to the questions your interviewer asks you.
10. Be your best and most honest self
Trust is best expressed through honesty. Most people are embarrassed if they are not sure about something or if they lie to someone. So stop pretending and be as honest as possible to appear naturally confident.
Let your talent speak for itself and forget all lies and vague answers. It only helps in small doses to use harsh words and formulated answers to sound professional. In general, most interviewers judge a person by the veracity of his answers.
Be yourself.
Conclusion
It is human to be nervous before or during an interview. But you should get rid of them when you defend your candidacy in an interview.
You need to learn to overcome your fears and nerves before they overwhelm you and prevent you from going further. Use the tips listed here to overcome fear in every job interview and see the change with your own eyes.
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