How to Handle Stress at a Job Interview
Posted June 19th, 2017
There are few situations more stressful than a job interview. Everything you do is under scrutiny. All of your actions are being evaluated. Your performance during that short amount of time could determine the course of your career.
Naturally, you will feel stressed and anxious at such an interview. But there are things you can do to minimize the stress. Here are a few of them.
1. Don’t script your answers
In other words, do not go the interview with completely prepackaged answers, ones that are preplanned and fully formulated ahead of time. This actually increases the chances that you will botch the answer because your mind will be focused on repeating what you have rehearsed.
And your answer may not totally fit the question, forcing you to make changes, which may only add to your confusion. It is much better to prepare only one or two talking points for the questions you expect.
2. Exercise
Do your exercise routine several hours before you go to bed the day before the interview. This way, by the time you turn in, your body will be fatigued, enabling you to sleep better.
3. Remind yourself
Remind yourself that it is no catastrophe if you don’t get the job. There will be other opportunities.
4. Exercise again
Exercise as close to the interview as possible. This again will fatigue you some and reduce the stress and anxiety you will feel.
5. Give yourself time
Make sure to give yourself enough time to drive to the interview, find the building and park the car. Don’t cut things too close. This will only add to the stress. If you arrive early, do not go in. Find a coffee shop or someplace to hang out until it is time for the interview.
6. The interviewer
Remember that the interviewer is a person just like you, with his or her own frailties, flaws and weaknesses.
7. The second drink answer
Answer the questions as if you were on your second drink at a bar. In other words, you want to focus on being honest and frank, rather than reciting a lot of jargon.
8. One minute maximum
Try to make your answers no longer than a minute. Spend less time on the harder questions and more time on the easier questions.
9. If you have a problem
If you do a poor job of answering a question, force yourself to move past it by focusing your mind on the next question and making eye contact with the interviewer.
If you are looking for a job, Bayside Solutions can help you. We are a leading technology-related staffing agency. So, if you work in biotechnology, information technology, or a similar field, give Bayside Solutions a call. We are here to help you.
