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Need to find a job but the thought of interviewing has you like:

A woman chewing gum nervously.

Not to worry: you got this!

Here are some tips to help manage and harness anxiety or stress so you can land that job!

A comic that shows a person getting their dream job because they handle stress like a pro.

The Stress Response: What Is It?

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It's normal to feel stress or anxiety before something as important as a job interview. It's a form of eustress, or good stress, that helps you power through to achieve your goal and push you to new heights.

You can harness the energy of eustress to be better focused and prepared to do a good job on an interview!

Christiano Ronaldo breathes deeply as he prepares for a penalty kick at The World Cup.

The Stress Response: How To Use It?

There are several methods you can use to harness anxiety and stress during a job interview. Remember, your body is reacting this way because it's gearing up to make sure you do well. To harness this energy positively:

  1. Prepare

  2. Stay positive

  3. Practice healthy habits

  4. Use relaxation techniques

A scene from Happy Gilmore. One character tells Happy, 'You gotta harness the good energy and block the bad.'

Did you know?

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Prepare

Practice interview questions, your responses to them, and the narrative of your skills and experiences.

Research the company you'll be interviewing with so there are no surprises.

The more you practice and research, the better you become at interviewing, which will make you feel prepared and confident!

Eddard Stark from Game of Thrones says, 'Prepare yourselves. Interviews are coming.'

Quiz

How should you prepare for an interview?

Stay Positive

A woman wags her finger and shakes her head. The text reads, 'Don't even with that negative self talk.'

Repeat after me: "I can do this!"

To counter any negative thoughts:

  • challenge them with logic

  • repeat positive statements

  • visualize success

Write down any thoughts that are swirling in your mind. This simple act has been proven to reduce anxiety.

Drake says no to 'I'm going to bomb this interview' and yes to 'I'm awesome and I'll do great.'

Quiz

You have an interview tomorrow and you're nervous about making mistakes. What can you do to reduce your anxiety?

Practice Healthy Habits

Be careful of what you eat and drink before an interview: avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can increase anxiety.

Reduce stressors unrelated to the interview so you can be in your best frame of mind.

Practice self-compassion. Try not to critique or be too harsh on yourself — be your own champion!

An animation of a sleeping chick. Text: 'It's ok to take time for self care. You can't do things if you don't feel well.'

Use Relaxation Techniques

A dog in a burning room on interview day says, 'This is fine.'

Focus on your breathing and take slow, deep breaths. This helps you remain calm, pause before speaking, and allows you time to think about your answer.

Stand with confidence and smile. These physical gestures positively affect your mind and have a calming effect.

An animation depicting a multi-sided figure moving in and out. The text reads, 'Breathe.'

Quiz

You are sitting in the lobby waiting for your interview. What techniques can calm your nerves and help you feel more confident?

Take Action

By practicing these habits, you'll be better prepared to ace that interview and land that dream job. So remember:

A sign that reads, 'Keep Calm and Interview On'.

License:

This Byte has been authored by

SC

Soraya Campbell

International woman of mystery

English

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