Once, I had an interview for a role I was eager to land but felt underqualified for. Previous rejections fed my anxiety. On the day, nerves were high. I remember my hands shaking as I entered the room. To calm myself, I used a mindfulness technique called grounding. I focused on my senses - the cool air in the room, the firm grip of the chair beneath me. This brought me back to the present moment, away from my anxious thoughts. Next, I employed positive affirmations. Silently I told myself, "I am capable. I am prepared." The interview began, and to my surprise, I found myself answering with confidence. The grounding exercise and affirmations had worked. I left the room feeling relieved and proud, regardless of the outcome. Days later, I received the job offer. This experience taught me the power of mindfulness and positive self-talk in overcoming interview anxiety.
The cornerstone of a successful interview is recognizing that when you receive an interview invitation, the company shares an equal level of interest in you as you do in them. However, maintaining a balanced demeanor is crucial, as excessive confidence can lead to unfavorable outcomes during the interview process. Worth understanding, that adequate preparation, including researching the company's activity, showcasing genuine enthusiasm for the position, and exuding self-assuredness, represents a skill set possessed by merely 10% of candidates.
I tend to overthink, a habit that affects me most before interviews. I always used to get very nervous, worrying about possible trick questions and my talking points. This led to self-sabotage often- during the actual interview, my heightened nerves would make me either go silent or talk too much. With time, I realized that while I could not fix the worrywart in me, I could change my mindset. I started mentally assuring myself before interviews that worrying about potential problems would not improve the outcome. Indeed, I may stutter or go blank when asked a question. But, in truth, this was just a simple conversation I was having where the interviewer was learning about me, just as I am about their company. So, take the fear out of the situation, e.g., what happens if I botch the interview up? “Well, it has not happened yet. And if it does, you will have other opportunities.” I find that if I think about things in this way, I can relax, which is really helpful for interviews.
Being an EMDR therapist, one of the things we can do is something called performance enhancement EMDR. It's not very dissimilar to what Olympic athletes do for their training. In talking with a friend, Chelsea Johnson Hardee, Austin-based former professional pole vaulter she said, "The negative thoughts and feelings were inevitable. The secret was learning how to replace them with positive thoughts once they occurred.” This is part of what we do in therapy with clients is working on building in a lot of positive resources through EMDR. In a nutshell, we play the tape of what a upcoming situation might be like and work to embed positive associations with those challenging moments. This could be a graduate exam, athletic event or a job interview. Playing this tape enough is like mentally rehearsing the event but you put in these positive associations that are like power pellets in Pacman that help you to confidently overcome the obstacles in your path.
CEO High Performance Coach - MCC at Chad Weller High Performance Life Coaching
Answered 3 years ago
Just getting off an interview on a fellow Entrepreneur's podcast, this is incredibly timely to share this tool. I'm a master life coach who walks my talk. As I work with quite a few of my clients that are CEOs and professional leaders in their respective companies, it all comes down to this: being present and breathing. Speaking on camera for interviews one-on-one to live in person events and panels in front of massive crowds, the breath will remind you to be in the moment, to feel being in your body and to RESET any time your mind starts to wander. It sounds so simple, yet the Breath is so powerful. Inhale 4, hold for 4, exhale 4. Repeat as many times as you need, keeping the eyes open or closed as you prefer.
As a one-time performer and frequent public speaker, I have certainly experienced the physical and emotional manifestations of nerves prior to engagements. Being in the spotlight– whether onstage or in an interview– causes us to tense up: fear arises and we feel disengaged from the people with whom we're interacting, as well as from our ability to be present and at ease in the moment. Understandably, most people spend their energy trying to resist performance anxiety and to make it go away. Yet this creates resistance which tends to make things worse. Instead, the best strategy is to accept that being nervous is a part of the human condition, and to lean into the heightened awareness, increased breathing, and adrenaline rush; to learn to use them to our advantage to augment our performance. This acceptance and utilization of our increased energy, in addition to frequent practice and interviewing experience, result in our ability to be our best selves, and to put our best foot forward.
One thing that has helped me ease nerves when interviewing is by doing the "Superman Strech" before interviews.The "Superman Stretch" is a simple and effective yoga pose that can help you overcome nerves and reduce anxiety by promoting relaxation and deep breathing. This stretch helps open up your chest and improve your posture, which can have a positive impact on your overall sense of confidence and well-being. To do the stretch simply stand like superman in a mirror, up straight, hands on hips, and take a few deep breaths.
It can be nerve-wracking to sit in the hot seat at an interview with multiple interviewers. I was auditioning for a role as a mindfulness coach for an executive them that was struggling at forming a cohesive team. When I sat down in front of 6 of the key players it was a surprise. I'd only expected the HR manager. It rattled me for a moment but I remembered two tricks that help me to be fully present with whatever comes. I smiled and asked the lead interviewer a question, which took the focus from me and onto her for a moment. Then I took a quiet breath, briefly putting my focus on a spot on the wall behind the lead person and mentally saying, just be HERE. The shift in focus immediately relieved the overwhelm. After that, it was simple to stay present and answer their questions from a sense of presence and stability. I got the gig!
Some of the strategies I use to stay calm and present my best self are preparation, mindfulness, self encouragement and visualizing. In order to do well on interviews when I’m nervous I initially go through the requirements and my qualifications and see where I can give examples of things I did that are similar, or what skills I have that would make me a good match. After preparing, I do deep breathing before the interviews, and imagine what it would be like to work in this company. I go in with questions about the day to day, mission and work culture that would help me do my job well. Remembering, I’m also interviewing them to see if they are a good match with me. If it’s not the right fit, I’ll find something else that might fit better.
My strategy was to start thinking of the company as my client. And that meant allowing myself to walk away from the interview if I knew I wasn't a good fit for them. Compare that to my behavior in the interviews I bombed: overselling myself, pretending I was competent in areas that I wasn't, and too eager to please. I had a long gap in my employment. I REALLY needed a job. But my desperation and employment gap raised red flags. I knew that, of course, and it contributed to my nervousness even further. Finally, I decided to treat my next interview as a prospective client in my imaginary consulting business. They needed my services, but I wouldn't close the sale if I wasn't 100% certain I could help them. This mindset got me to calmly ask questions about parts of the role I found most intriguing—which happened to be a particular web app I had used in my previous position. In the end, that was the area of expertise they needed most, and I knew I could give them what they needed.
Overcoming Interview Anxiety Through Mindfulness: To stay calm and present my best self in an interview I employed the dual strategy of meticulous preparation and staying present in the moment. This allowed me to conquer my anxiety and give my best shot during this important interview. Before going for the interview, I thoroughly researched all about the company and the job role. This allowed me to confidently discuss with recruiters how my skills aligned with their needs. Following that, I embraced mindfulness techniques. Before the interview, I practised deep breathing and reverse counting to stay calm. During the interview, I concentrated on staying present, actively listening to each question and responding thoughtfully even in stressful situations. Thus, preparing ahead of time boosted my self-assurance and practising mindfulness helped me gain control of my nerves.
It helps to practice what you will say during your job interview. Go through the basics and prepare your responses to various questions. Do some basic research on the company and job position you are applying to. Going in prepared can make a difference and boost your confidence levels.
I recall an experience where I was faced with a high-stakes interview and was overwhelmed by stress and anxiety. I turned to mindfulness, a tool I now regularly teach as a life coach. This involves conscious, deep breathing and bringing your attention back to the present by observing the natural rhythm of inhaling and exhaling. I detached myself from thoughts about potential negative outcomes. This practice not only calmed me down, but also helped me think more clearly, stay focused, and step into the interview with confidence. The result was a smooth, genuine conversation rather than a one-sided interrogation.
When I started my career, job interviews really made me nervous. Sometimes, I would forget what I wanted to say and I felt I didn't make a good impression. To handle this, I practiced a lot. I noticed that many questions were asked again and again in different interviews. So, I started practicing these questions at home until I felt comfortable answering them. Also, being on time for the interview really helped me stay calm. If I arrived too early and had to wait, my nerves would get the best of me and I would get more anxious. So, I started to plan my route and leave my house with just enough time to get to the interview location right on time. These strategies made a big difference and helped me handle interview stress better.
I remember a time when I felt it due to challenging questions I wasn't sure how to answer. Initially, my mind raced to come up with clever ways to respond to them. But then, I put a pause for a moment, thought about it and realized that it's perfectly alright not to have all the answers. There are many things this interviewer wouldn't know regarding the fields hes's asking questions. This realization eased my anxiety and boosted my confidence. I honestly admitted when I didn't have an answer, and surprisingly, the interviewers appreciated me and didn't try to undermine my abilities. This experience taught me that authenticity and acknowledging gaps in knowledge is okay and you never need to know everything about your field. We keep learning and keep growing with time. There's no point in life when we can confidently say we are the best.
During a pivotal job interview, I battled intense nerves threatening to undermine my performance. To counter this, I implemented a multi-pronged strategy. First, I practiced mindfulness, focusing on deep breathing to center myself. Second, I prepared rigorously, researching the company and rehearsing answers to potential questions. This bolstered my confidence significantly. Third, I reframed the situation as a conversation, easing the pressure of a formal interrogation. Finally, I reminded myself of past accomplishments, reinforcing my capabilities. By merging these techniques, I managed to suppress the anxiety, enabling me to present my skills and experience with clarity. The outcome was successful – not only did I secure the position but also gained valuable tools to manage future nerve-wracking scenarios.
During a recent interview, I acknowledged my nerves as a natural response and channeled them into positive energy. I embraced the adrenaline rush, allowing it to fuel my enthusiasm and passion. I shared my excitement for the role and connected it to my own experiences and skills. This genuine enthusiasm helped me present my best self despite the nerves. By accepting and embracing my nervousness, I was able to transform it into a source of motivation and confidence, ultimately leaving a lasting impression on the interviewer.
I encountered interview nerves during a significant marketing position interview. To stay calm and present my best self, I engaged in thorough preparation, practiced mock interviews, prioritized my well-being through activities like yoga and meditation, and arrived early on the interview day to settle in. During the interview, I focused on maintaining good body language and making eye contact, taking deep breaths to manage anxiety and stay present. These strategies helped me overcome the nerves, leading to a successful outcome, securing the marketing position and marking a significant milestone in my career.
In a recent job interview, I faced intense nerves and anxiety. To combat this, I employed a strategy that helped me stay calm and present my best self. Firstly, I prepared extensively by researching the company, practicing common interview questions, and rehearsing my responses. This boosted my confidence and reduced uncertainty. Secondly, I focused on deep breathing exercises to center myself before the interview. Taking slow, deliberate breaths helped to alleviate tension and promote relaxation. Lastly, I visualized a successful outcome and reminded myself of my qualifications and strengths. This positive mindset helped to counteract self-doubt and build a sense of self-assurance. By combining thorough preparation, calming techniques, and positive affirmations, I was able to overcome my interview nerves and present myself confidently, ultimately securing the job opportunity.
I was applying for a new role in a different industry many years ago, and I knew that the skills I had honed in my previous role would not be the ones I needed in the new one. I knew that I needed to show the hiring manager my transferable skills, but when I got to the interview and realized that I wasn’t sure how to answer the question about transferable skills, I started to panic. I thought that the interviewer would think I was a flop, or that I didn’t have any skills. I decided to take a deep breath and relax. I took a moment to think about the skills that I had used in my previous job that I would use in this one, and I was able to focus on that to present my transferable skills. By staying calm and focusing on what I already knew, I was able to share my transferable skills with the interviewer.