How do I calm myself for interview?

LegacyUser

I've an interview tomorrow and I've been having trouble with the thought that I'm gonna screw it up. I've had 3 previous interviews in my entire life and been very nervous for all 3. At the beginning I usually notice my voice cracking, and I've difficulty performing confidently in an interview. I've been debating taking xanax, is this a very bad idea? Or do I just need to keep doing them until I get good?

Big Bag of Chips

OP, please don't ask other posters about whether or not you should take medication. Asking for or giving medical advice is against the rules of Boards.ie. Posters are reminded not to offer medical advice to others on here. Doing so will result in moderator action.

Mint Aero

Meditate for 20 minutes before the interview. Relax the breathing and remember, they're just people too who want to have a good working relationship with you so be natural.

P. Breathnach

Not a complete answer - mainly because I don't know much about you. Two strategies to consider:
1. Arrive a bit early, but not far too early. That means that you will have some waiting time. Use that time to sit with your eyes closed, and concentrate on slow deep breathing. That can help many people calm down.
2. Be honest with the interviewer(s): say at the outset that you are feeling nervous, because the opening is important to you.

I hope that I don't fall foul of the mod guidance in saying that if you take any substance to manage your feelings, it might well have an effect that is noticed and that would count against you.

Merkin

Take some rescue remedy which has a calming effect and is perfectly safe and homeopathic. Also practice your breathing, take time in answering questions and remember that they wouldn't have called you for interview in the first place if they weren't interested! Best of luck!

ziedth

I used to be like that OP (probably worse). I found the best thing that helped was time in so far as I'm now 11 odd years in my field so eventually you will be able to just draw from experience to answer any questions so don't worry it will get easier for you.

Having said that I'm aware that doesn't help you now couple of things that might help:

1. Preparation, know the role and company as best you can.

2. Like that has been said arrive about 10min early but no more then 15min. This will give you time to gather yourself.

3. Remember the interviewers want to give you the job. They wouldn't have taken time out to meet you if they didn't.

4. Strong as a handshake as you can muster, some people have a real thing about a weak handshake.

5.Above all eye contact and smile when you say hello. HR people look for things like that, they expect you to be nervous but will pick up on things like that.

6. Take a second to answer each question. Nothing worse then nervously rambling off on some tangent. This is what I was most guilty of and still do it today.


Best of luck.

Edit: I have also heard good things about the resuce remedy

Santa Cruz

In every interview there will always be certain questions common to all.

e.g Why do you want to work here? Have you anything else to tell us before we end the interview?
Have your answers prepared but be ready to put them across in a non rehearsed way. Count a few seconds before answering any question.
Knowing that you have this groundwork done will help relax in itself.
Also of course if the venue is convenient do a little spying run beforehand so that you will know if there are any diversions, roadworks etc. that might delay you. Find a convenient spot to park or what is the handiest as regards public transport ir getting a cab. Good luck

The Bishop Basher

ziedth wrote: »

1. Preparation, know the role and company as best you can.

2. Like that has been said arrive about 10min early but no more then 15min. This will give you time to gather yourself.

3. Remember the interviewers want to give you the job. They wouldn't have taken time out to meet you if they didn't.

4. Strong as a handshake as you can muster, some people have a real thing about a weak handshake.

5.Above all eye contact and smile when you say hello. HR people look for things like that, they expect you to be nervous but will pick up on things like that.

6. Take a second to answer each question. Nothing worse then nervously rambling off on some tangent. This is what I was most guilty of and still do it today.

Edit: I have also heard good things about the resuce remedy

As someone who conducts interviews regularly, the first couple of minutes are the most important and can be the difference between success or not.

The points above are on the button. Big friendly smile, eye contact and a dry firm handshake will set the tone nicely. They expect you to be nervous and will make allowances for that. You'll find that as you get into it, the nerves will dissipate and you can focus on your answers. Listen to the question asked and answer it. So many people don't listen and ramble off on tangents. No quicker way to lose an interviewer. Remember they may have 7 or 8 interviews that day so they want you to be succinct in your responses. if it finishes early, it's a bonus for them. They get to clear some mails and grab a cuppa. Sounds mad but it's true.

Have a couple of questions ready to ask at the end and above all, give the impression that your enthusiastic and up for it. This can often set you apart from your peers.

There are all kinds of herbal remedies out there to help, you can get them in any health food shop, just try them before hand to make sure you don't get drowsy or whatever. Even if they act as a placebo they've done their job.

Relax, you'll be fine and remember that everyone gets nervous before an interview so what your feeling is absolutely normal. Half way through your second answer you'll feel a lot more settled.

Good luck !!

Edited to add...

And the buzz you'll get from doing the interview without the help of a Benzo will be a huge confidence boost for you personally !!

BlueFairy

If you've not taken Xanax before then it might not be the best idea to try it just before an interview, as you don't know if it will make you drowsy or a little slower than usual.

A CBT therapist gave me a calming breathing technique that works very well, and you can do it totally unnoticed as you sit waiting for the interview. Breathe in for 7 counts, hold for 2 counts, and breathe out for 11 counts. Do it all with an easy breath, don't make it really long or deep, just regular counts.

It will change the levels of carbon dioxide & oxygen in your body to help you to remain calmer - or something like that lol, I don't remember exactly what the therapist said.

There is also a weird looking tapping technique called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) that I find helpful when I need to remain calm. I used it initially for panic attacks (a therapist taught it to me), but you can use it to help you chill out about any situation. You could do it before you leave the house, or in the bathroom at the place you go to interview. There are loads of videos on YouTube that will teach it to you for free, have a look around on there. It's an odd one, but whatever helps right?

Lastly there's been research into practising power poses/body language just before situations like an interview or meeting new people. Apparently just 2 minutes of practising these poses can give you a noticable boost in how other people precieve you and in your own confidence levels. Something to do with chemical change in the body again, there's a great TED Talk on it from Amy Cuddy who will explain it far better than I do! http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html

You can google to see what kind of power poses you can practice, it might feel weird but it's worth a try

LegacyUser

Just wanted to thank people for their advice on here. I completed the interview today using only the help of rescue remedy. my heart was beating really fast before the interview but once I got in there it was absolutely grand. My biggest fear was my voice cracking like it usually does when im nervous but that didnt happen. I said a few wrong things and thus don't think I got the job, but that's not the point. The positive thing was that I came out of the interview thinking "why was I even nervous in the first place?"

LegacyUser

Ended up getting the job in the end

The Bishop Basher

NervyInterview wrote: »

I said a few wrong things and thus don't think I got the job, but that's not the point. The positive thing was that I came out of the interview thinking "why was I even nervous in the first place?"

It's no surprise you got the job with a such a great outlook. Take the well earned confidence now and make the most of it. Congratulations and good luck with the new job

Big Bag of Chips

Well done, OP. That's great news.
As your original question has been answered, and resulted in a very satisfactory outcome for you, we will lock your thread now.

Good luck in the new job!