Surefire Ways to Stay Calm and Even Have Fun during an interview

We’ve all likely had to face interviews at some point, as they’re an essential part of the hiring process. We strive to be invited to an interview as a job seeker, but once we get to that step, it can bring on an equal share of excitement and fear. Interviews can be intimidating! And it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous before one. Actually, being a bit nervous can help you perform even better when it matters most.

You can still be confident and capable while nervous. There’s a reason why there’s a difference between “good nervous” and “bad nervous.” A healthy level makes you more alert and better prepared to engage during a discussion. That means you’re more likely to remember answers to interview questions you’ve been rehearsing and even respond articulately to the unexpected ones.

You might think that staying calm is the main goal when preparing for an interview. But in reality, what can make a difference is learning to be okay with your nerves. Once you accept that part of facing important moments or events in your life — you don’t have to worry about being too nervous anymore. You’ve gone past that to actually embrace the positive effects, like being clear-minded and even being capable of enjoying yourself.

An interview should benefit both parties, not only the employer.

Think Conversation, Not Interrogation

It’s easy to think of an interview as a test or interrogation, which can put your guard up and bring on the “bad nerves” mentioned earlier. It’s true that an interview will primarily be the prospective employer questioning a job candidate. But, instead of thinking that it’s a test — think of it from the employer’s perspective. A good employer is conducting an interview to find the right candidate; not only for them but for anyone they’re considering hiring as well.

It’s just as important for you to fit a position and feel up to the tasks associated with it, like agreeing with the company culture and your future colleagues. The employer will usually have expectations for the new hire that go beyond their professional capabilities. They also might want the person to be able to work well with others and collaborate successfully. If you don’t feel like you can do that, it’s better for them to get to know you and gauge whether both sides will be happy if you’re hired.

That’s why you should think of an interview as a conversation meant to benefit both parties involved. You applied for a position and invited to an interview. That gives you the chance to interview the potential employer and ask some questions that matter to you as an employee.

In most interviews, you’ll be prompted by the end to ask questions of your own; don’t hesitate until the end though, asking questions and going beyond the typical question-and-answer routine will help ease you into a conversation, not a session of questioning!

If an interview leads to an offer, it’s should also mean the interviewed approved of the company.

Read Up On The Company

What you don’t know can be scary. The more knowledge you have and the more you know on what to expect — the calmer you will be! Looking up the company should be a natural course of action whenever you apply to any job. When doing so, just keep a mental note of how they describe themselves as a company. Try to understand how they market themselves to the world and the values they expect their employees to embody.

It’s even better if you can learn about who might be your superior if you end up in the job. When actually going through the interview, you want to have enough information about the company; and ideally, those who are in the room with you, so if common questions come up like, “What made you interested in this position/company?” or “What do you think makes you a good fit for this position?” You can refer back to what you know about them.

They may have your resume and a cover letter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also be familiar with them. Taking the time to read about the company and those you might meet beforehand will only benefit you. Some might show up to an interview without properly looking up the company and anticipating what they should know, but it’s a terrible mistake not to. The company will expect to hire someone who has already taken an interest in them — not in only a paying position.

It’s not all professional during an interview. You should let them know who you really are.

Smile A Lot

The way you act can greatly influence what people think and how they perceive you, there’s no question of that. People who smile and present themselves as friendly and approachable tend to leave a more positive impression on others.

When you’re nervous about an important meeting like an interview, it helps to just be as amicable as possible; one, because it’s the best way to present yourself to anyone you don’t know, and secondly, you’ll push away the uncertain behavior that can accompany being nervous.

Smiling helps reduce stress and doesn’t have to be put on for others. You can smile for your benefit, even when you’re alone. You might be surprised when you start to feel happier and more productive. It’s a habit that will be sure to benefit you in times when you start to feel less confident and worried.


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Hana Othman

Hana Othman is the founder of SimpleHermit.com and identifies as an INFJ. Most days you can find her typing away or reading a book. Beyond that, she keeps busy as a dog and cat mom.