Nervous about your job interview? Here’s some advice on how to deal with that anxiety

In an economy where it seems like there are far fewer jobs than there are candidates who want to fill them, we don't blame you for being nervous about job interviews. All too often, new candidates to the job market assume that they won't make a good impression or that the interviewers are just waiting for them to mess up, which will kill their chances of getting the job. Sound familiar? Let's have a look at the thinking behind your anxiety and how to show up at interviews feeling a little more relaxed.

1. Understand why you're nervous
You may be one of many job candidates who feel under duress to "get the job or else", so your anxiety – triggered by adrenaline and the fight or flight response – is the result of the perception that this job interview is a life or death situation. Your mind is constantly tuned into the negative response of "What if I don't get the job?" Instead, you could rather consider the fact that you got the interview in the first place: being shortlisted is a very good sign that the hiring company sees something in you that they want.

Yes, getting the job will ensure you have a stable income and you can start building your career and your professional identity. However, getting this particular job that you're interviewing for is not the be-all and end-all. If you don't get the job, it's not the worst thing that can happen to you. Instead, rather see it as building job interview experience that will go a long way to getting you the job that you're truly suited for. Putting the interview into some big-picture perspective can help to lessen your anxiety.

2. Prepare for the interview
A lot of your anxiety can be alleviated by preparing adequately for the interview. Ask your friend, roommate, or parent to role-play as the interviewer so that you get the opportunity to describe your strengths, qualifications, and experience out loud. This will give you the opportunity to adjust the way you sound or the things you'd like to say before the actual interview.

Do some research on the company that's interviewing you. Browse their website and social media pages (where relevant) to understand their culture and get a feel for their position in the market or industry. Prepare a list of questions about the company to ask the interviewer, since the job interview is a two-way opportunity: one in which they identify if you're right for them, but also to allow you to identify if they're right for you.

Prepare to arrive at your interview on time – even give yourself a 30-minute lead time so that you've got a moment to collect yourself before you enter the interview room. Time pressure is one of the worst causes of anxiety, so if you know you won't be late for your interview, this will remove a lot of your nervousness.

3. Alleviate the physical symptoms of anxiety
Anxiety manifests in a very physical way that can actually count against you in a job interview. Sweaty palms, shaky hands, flushed face, shallow breathing, and dry mouth are visible tell-tale signs that you're nervous. A sure-fire way to alleviate these physical symptoms is focused breathing. It will take less than a minute to train yourself out of those nerves by inhaling slowly to the count of three, holding your breath for three slow counts, then exhaling slowly to the count of three. Do this twice and when you experience a deep sigh, visualize the stress leaving your body.

Putting the job interview into perspective, doing enough preparation for the interview, and arriving a little ahead of time, as well as using focused breathing to relax the symptoms of anxiety can help you to deal with job interview nerves. If you take our advice, let us know if it was effective for your job interview. Good luck!

Are you battling to find your next career opportunity? Do you feel it's time to make a move from your current job? Communicate Recruitment is a recruitment agency with specialist consultants that can assist you in finding Finance jobs, IT jobs, Engineering jobs, Freight jobs, and Supply Chain jobs. Check out our vacancy page and apply now!