How to stay calm in that big interview

Interview by Alan Cleaver licensed under Creative commons 4

So, you’ve finally secured an interview for the job of your dreams, and all that now stands between you and fulfilling your career goal is the dreaded interview.

Though some people thrive on the adrenaline buzz interviews induce, most of us feel nervous, anxious and apprehensive beforehand. However, more often that not, staying calm and relaxed in an interview is the key to winning the job, especially in careers where a cool head is an invaluable asset.

Do your research

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. With the prevalence of the internet and a wealth of information available online, there’s really no excuse for failing to do your research.

Depending on how much time you have to prepare, try to learn everything that you can about the company from its founding to the present day. As well as biographies of directors and employees, try to find out all you can about what makes this specific business stand out from the crowd.

Do a practice run

One of the best ways to reduce your nerves on interview day is to do a few practice runs beforehand.

Ideally, you should ask someone who works in the industry to prepare a mock interview for you. Alternatively, you could ask a friend to step into the role of interviewer for a few hours.

Get a good night’s sleep

Getting enough rest the night before your interview is an incredibly important factor in keeping those nerves under wraps.

Though it can be difficult to nod off when you’re feeling anxious, the more sleep you get, the better you’ll feel when you’re in the hot seat.

Do some exercise

If you have time on the morning of the interview, try to do a bit of gentle exercise. Not only will this help to relieve stress, it will also release endorphins that will make you feel fantastic.

Whatever you do, avoid drinking excessive amounts of coffee. Rather than helping you to feel alert, this will only put you on edge and make you appear more anxious during the interview.

Though there are no guarantees in the world of job hunting, by following these simple tips, you can give yourself the best possible chance of acing that interview.