No matter how experienced or confident you are in your professional life, when you’re approaching a job interview, you feel the pressure. It’s stressful knowing that you have just a short while to impress an employer and convince them that you’re the best fit for the position. There are ways, though, to alleviate your stress. In fact, these four tips can put you on the path to a stress-free interview.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
You may have heard it a million times, but preparation is absolutely key for a successful interview. And, if you know you’ve done everything you can possibly do to set yourself up for a positive interview experience, then you’ll feel less pressure. So make sure you check-off each item on your interview to-do list and take time to think through some of the interview questions you expect to be asked. It’s also good to review what not to do during an interview so you can avoid the top three interview sins.
Burn Off the Jitters
Nothing blasts stress away like working up a sweat. The morning of your interview, schedule time to do at least 30 minutes of some form of exercise. Whether it’s taking a brisk walk, lifting weights, or doing yoga, this physical activity will burn off your jitters and help you relax. A recent article from Huffington Post revealed that exercise is not only good for your heart, but also boosts your mood, self-confidence, ability to cope with future stress, and brain function. If you don’t have time in the morning, then fit a workout in the evening before. This can also have the added benefit of helping you sleep better.
Ease Up On the Caffeine
While it may be tempting to down some caffeinated beverages before your interview, don’t do it! Ken Yeager, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at Ohio State University, told Huffington Post, “Caffeine is always going to make stress worse.” Plus, it will further compound your feelings of pressure and stress by impacting your sleep quality. So stay away from caffeinated coffee, tea, and soda, as well as chocolate, which is an often-overlooked caffeine source.
Get Some Shut-Eye
In case you haven’t caught on from the previous tips, sleep is important to the success of your interview! Nothing adds pressure to a situation like feeling tired, sleep-deprived, and out-of-sorts. And, as international neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart explained in a CNN report, “On top of the obvious health risks, when you have any sleep disturbance, your IQ drops by 5-8 points.” That means a good night’s rest can make the difference between impressing a future employer and bombing the interview.
Job interviews can be one of the most stressful situations you face in life. But, it is within your power to decrease your stress and alleviate the pressure so you’re able to walk into your interview ready to impress.
What has helped you cope with the stress of an upcoming interview? How do you ensure you’re at your best? Share your tips in the comments section below.
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
