This post is dedicated to anyone who struggles with anxiety, especially during interviews. Going through the interview process is a very scary experience. Before we dive in, pat yourself on the back! You are an extremely qualified candidate that the hiring manager wants to meet this superstar in person (#winkwink). Take a moment to celebrate and think that you stood out from all the piles of applications piled up on the hiring managers desk. Congrats!
You schedule your interview but you find yourself panicking. Don't worry. I panic too. It's human nature to panic in uncomfortable situations. Regardless if someone exudes confidence, there will always be some level of anxiety whether it is of excitement or feeling scared for your life.
Going to an interview can be daunting. But it is a brave initiative and an accomplishment. Each experience is something that you learn from. I have been through different interviews in different companies and industries from an in-person interview, an interview panel, a Skype interview, a phone interview, and even back to back interviews with different managers and departments all in one day. I have conducted interviews myself meeting walk-in candidates and formal candidates. And with every experience, I had the opportunity to grow into a better professional. If the word "interview" gives you cold sweats, think of your interview as going on a first date. Both of you are there to see if you are the perfect match for each other. Yes, you want the job but this is the chance for you to see if it is a good match for you, as well. Just like dating, you go out to meet the love of your life, but not every person you meet will be the love of your life. You go on dates to find out more about the person and if your values and personalities match. The hiring manager is also looking for the same thing. They want to make sure that you are a good fit for the team and will be a long-term positive contribution to the company. Both of you are meeting to get to know each other. This is also a chance for the hiring manager to impress you, not just the other way around. Remember, you have the opportunity to ask them questions! So if you are visualizing an interview as a scary meeting, just think of it as a first date, no biggie. But I know those can be nerve-wracking too.
For those who experience anxiety or panic attacks, prepare yourself a few days before the interview. Set up the time that you know you will be your best at. If you get anxious just waiting around the whole day, set up your interview for the morning so you are refreshed and have the rest of the day to relax after. Prepare copies of your resume, your questions, do your research and have your suite dry cleaned and make an appointment at the spa. Make sure you have everything ready as if you will have the interview tomorrow. But use the day before the interview to tune out a little and relax. Watch your favorite movie, go for a run or host a taco night with friends. Do something that provides you comfort. But I know many of you, will be nervous thinking about your interview the whole time. Feel what you feel and let it pass. Do not try to suppress any nervousness that you are feeling. Let it flow. If you suffer from extreme anxiety or panic attacks, it is also best to take the time to meditate. There are many apps out there that will help you calm down. I recommend HeadSpace and Calm. These apps are free and have guided meditations and breathing exercises for sleeping, for mindfulness for anxiety or even prepping you for the interview. Take a moment to breathe in and out and to follow the meditations until you calm down. Practice this and use the tools you learn from these apps so when you are in the waiting room or even during the interview you can calm yourself down. Remember, it is okay to be nervous. We all get nervous, it is completely normal. I am sure the hiring manager gets nervous too.
The big day is finally here and you are feeling extremely nervous despite being super prepared. Go to the interview location early so you have time to find parking, find the exact location, allow yourself time in case you get stuck in traffic, or get lost. Find the exact location or office number but find a place where you can meditate. Whether it is in the bathroom or the waiting room or the main lobby, find a quiet place where you can tune out. Set a timer on your phone to know when to head inside so you can focus on your breathing, and you won't be distracted checking your watch every minute. Use the Headspace or Calm apps to meditate in the lobby or use these two tricks that I have used whenever I get nervous. The first trick is to breathe into the count of 4,7, 8. Breath into the count of 4, hold your breathe to the count of 7 and breathe out to the count of 8. This breathing technique will help you get centered and focused. Do it a few times until you feel more relaxed. You can easily do this during the interview the hiring manager won't even notice. Another tip that I suggest is having a Pinterest Board of powerful mantras. Either write a mantra in your notebook or pin powerful, positive quotes and mantras that you can read to get you in the right mindset right before you step into the interview. I always read these quotes in the waiting room as these are like my own virtual cheerleaders that I can always read whenever I am not feeling confident or nervous. Even if you can hear your heart race inside the interview room, use the breathing technique and glance at the powerful mantra that you wrote at the top of your notebook for you to glance at between questions to give you that confidence boost. Take a deep breath, you got this.
So congrats on getting that interview! Now, go in there and show them why you deserve that job.
It's 9 am, the day of the interview. Coffee, Tea, or Snooze? Namaste.
Disclaimer: If you suffer from anxiety, depression or any form of mental illness, please consult with a medical professional. This post was written to provide small tips and tricks for those who suffer from anxiety during interviews or meetings and is not to be treated as a professional recommendation. Please consult with a medical professional for questions.
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