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How can I overcome my nervousness when interviewing for jobs?
A. Interviewing is a skill. Even people who are very comfortable with public speaking and are not at all tongue-tied need to learn how to interview. Interviewing is not just talking and telling. A good interview is a valuable conversation where both people learn something and are interested in continuing the conversation. Many people are incredibly nervous about interviewing, often because of the high stakes involved in the job search process. So certainly, knowing the content of your resume is a great start, but you need enormous amounts of verbal practice. Be prepared to talk about your experiences, skills, and accomplishments. We are all eloquent in our own minds, but when we start to speak, it becomes much more challenging. Just like award-winning actors you need to rehearse, and it needs to be out loud with an audience. Once is not enough! You will be tired of hearing your own voice, and your recruited audience will know lots about your resume and skill set.
One of the most challenging and frightening parts of interviewing is feeling like you can be surprised by trick questions. Most interviewers will not ask you what kind of animal you would be (but plan for that in case!). You can plan for most interview questions. You can anticipate being asked “tell me about yourself.” Have a very quick, high-level answer planned. Plan for a version of answers to questions such as, what are your strengths and weaknesses and where do you see yourself in the future. You will be prepared if you put together answers of what you want to tell them in the interview regardless of what you are asked. Just like politicians, you decide what are the twenty answers that you'll be providing with examples about your experience.
You will need to practice in front of people, on audio and videotape, each of those questions so that you know the answer. As the interviewer asks a question, you'll pause, take a subtle deep breath, (deep breaths provide more oxygen to the brain – always a good thing) recognize what the primary topic is, and use your prepared answer on that topic. You'll also need to prepare thoughtful questions to ask, because that is part of being a great participant in the interview process. Having questions prepared shows interest and research on your part, which will make you a stronger candidate. If you still recognize that this is a challenge, you can certainly say to an interviewer, "One of my weaknesses is impromptu speaking and nervousness in interview situations." They will ask you what things you’ve done to overcome those weaknesses, and you can talk about the preparation you do. People frequently applaud that kind of vulnerability unless it is a key part of your job.
Some people who are anxious about interviews and public speaking join Toastmasters, or Dale Carnegie. Some people take communications courses. Use every method you can to prepare as this is a skill you’ll need in many situations, not just interviews. I asked our expert on workplace mental health, Kathy Greer, founder of KGA and Senior Advisor for the National Behavioral Consortium for her advice.
She shared, “Don't underestimate how powerful a breathing exercise can be during a difficult conversation. If you can do some breathing exercises while you're waiting to be called in, that is the best. When practicing this breathing, try to also think positively. Being mindful of your breath is the first step. Try mindfully to slow it down. Once you have begun the interview, watch for a break in the conversation when the interviewer is talking. This is a great opportunity to take some deeper breaths, hold your breath, and then exhale slowly. When you slow your breath down, you're able to think more clearly and be more articulate.”
There are numerous resources both online and in print that have sample interview questions. What you need to do is write out those answers and then practice every one of them out loud, even if you are alone. Then again while audio and videotaping yourself. You should also practice in front of a friend or family member. Then practice it in front of someone you may not know that well and see if you can maintain that level of conversation as part of your preparation. You should practice with someone who is very positive and supportive and then move your way into people that you know less and less. You need to increase your anxiety level a little bit like it's going to be in the interview. And when you are practicing your interviewing, also practice your breathing. It’s normal to be anxious before and nervous during an interview, but with preparation and practice you can increase your confidence. Boston.com
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