I do not enjoy interviews. In fact, I really, really dislike them.
No matter how much I prepare, it seems there is always a question that completely throws me for a loop and I’m left scratching my head like an idiot. It seems the more I want the job, the more I find myself getting flustered and tongue tied. Not to mention, I’m not a big fan of talking about myself and bragging about my accomplishments, which unfortunately is a big part of being interviewed!
Luckily though, I know I’m not alone when it comes to getting nervous before and during an interview. Even Come Recommended’s founder Heather Huhman has talked about being nervous for interviews. I think it’s safe to say pretty much everyone has experienced it at some point. Being nervous for a big opportunity like landing your dream job is natural, but here are some tips that have helped me overcome my nerves and conquer the interview:
It’s not as bad as you think. I don’t know about everyone else, but I am definitely my own biggest critic. Thus, I’ve come to realize that when I do slip up and make mistakes in an interview, I completely over-emphasize the severity of it. The interviewer is used to people being nervous in an interview. Depending on the mistake, he or she may not even notice, and definitely won’t dwell upon, the mistake.
Think positive. Don’t go into the interview already expecting it to go poorly. That’s nothing more than a surefire way to sabatage yourself. Keep your mind away from negative thoughts!
Record yourself. I hate listening to or watching myself talk. But when I was applying for my internship at Come Recommended, I had to do a video interview. By forcing myself to watch my interview responses, I was able to see first-hand my nervous habits, making it much easier to correct them for next time.
What do you do to help overcome nerves in an interview?
