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Controlling Stage Fright for the Interview
You could not cut off the wings of those butterflies fluttering in your stomach. You could not tame that mouse racing through your chest. Being nervous before an interview is of course completely normal. While you may be completely comfortable conversing with strangers in a social situation, the emotionally charged nature of the job interview means that your nerves will be on edge. It's a variant of the stage fright that faces any person who performs on the public stage.
What can you do about it? While it is probably impossible to completely eliminate the pre-interview jitters, you want to have them under control so that you can present yourself in a positive way. If you come across as excessively nervous, the person who is interviewing you will be likely to take away a negative view of your competence.
In fact, properly managed, a little tension can help keep you alert and on your toes during the interview. Many performers such as actors, musicians, and stand-up comics have learned how to tame the monster of stage fright for their own benefit.
Here are some tactics people have found useful:
Breathe and smile
Breathe deeply and bring energy into yourself, then exhale the pessimism within you. Do it for several times until you feel calm and your nervousness is back under control.
Visualization
Imagine a picture that gives you a sense of peace or serenity. Think of a place or memory that gives you the peace of mind you need to relax and think clearly. You will want to practice ahead of time so that you have an image clearly in mind when the time comes. A couple of minutes each day for several days will help cement the ability to summon your centering image at will. When you are waiting before the interview, visualize your chosen image in as much detail as you can.
Carry a happy memory
Choose a picture that reminds you of a time you felt particularly inspired. You may want to paste it in a notebook so you can take it with you easily. Stare at it and recall beautiful memories.Affirmation
Positive thinking and self-talk is of the utmost importance. As you travel to the interview, tell yourself that you are going to do your best in the interview, that you will answer the interviewer's questions with skill and confidence, and that you will present yourself with poise and capability. By putting yourself into a positive mindset, you enable yourself to do your best.
Using these techniques before the interview will help lighten the emotional burden of facing a job interview. You may not be able to still your jangling nerves altogether, but you don't want to let them get the better of you.
