How Not to Be Nervous for Interviews?

[PolynesianLily]

I have an interview this morning, and I really hate the feeling of being nervous. I know some people who go into interviews being not nervous, but I don't see how they can do it. Then after the interview, you wonder why you were so nervous after all.

I guess for me, it's the feeling of being judged and the fear of failing. I want people to accept me and to like me, and if I don't get a job I feel like it is me who failed, rather than it being that other people may have been more qualified.

Does anyone else get nervous in interviews? No matter how many you have been through before?

 

[catycatcat4]

Dress Well and act like you know your gonna get the job.
I have only done two interveiws (Got offered a job by both)
But its easy to not be nervous when the other people at one interview where inappropriately dressed.
Jeans, T-shirts, Short Shorts, One girls chest was falling out of her shirt.
I may have been the only one other than a woman much older than me who didn't say "Ummmm" a million times or "like"

I also did my research and knew what i was talking about.
Yeah hard to be nervous when your keeping your self from laughing.

 

[jcb]

I've been on the other side of the table for job interviews. I always figured the person would be nervous, I always was. What really turns me off in an interview is not people getting nervous but that they try to be someone that they are not. In my book, there is nothing more appealing to an interviewer than someone who is genuine.

Anyone who makes it to a job interview cannot be considered a failure. I've turned down quite a few people for jobs. I never once thought it was because the person was a failure. I just was looking for a specific type of person for the job, considering the skills needed and with whom they would be working. Still, when you want a job, and don't get it, it isn't a happy occasion. I've been there too.

This will probably sound obvious but always be prepared for the "why do you want this job" question. You can't believe the number of times I have heard people give bad answers to that question.

Good luck on the interviews.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Just finished going through this. remember you are interviewing them as well. You need to feel confident that this job is right for you.

 

[PolynesianLily]

I got that "why do you want this job" question.
I guess i'll find out tomorrow if I got it.
Thank for all of your help!!! I wasn't as nervous as I have been before!

 

[disprincessatheart]

I got that "why do you want this job" question.
I guess i'll find out tomorrow if I got it.
Thank for all of your help!!! I wasn't as nervous as I have been before!

Glad you were able to calm your nerves. I think it'd be weird if you werent at least a little nervous I know your interview is done, but just something I thought I would throw out there for anyone else that may have an interview soon or incase you get called for a second interview. If you made it to the interview you should remind yourself that you've already made a good impression and have made it further than a lot of other people (in most cases). The interview, a lot of times, is less about who is qualified and more about picking the person who is the best personality match out of a bunch of qualified people. Maybe the job needs someone really aggressive, and you may ir may not be that way. Whatever they might be looking for, just know, especially in todays job market, getting an interview is excellent and you are defintitely not a failure!

 

[OKW Lover]

Its kind of like public speaking. Just visualize your audience in their underwear.

Preferably not thongs

 

[mel&me]

I've been on the other side of the table for job interviews. I always figured the person would be nervous, I always was. What really turns me off in an interview is not people getting nervous but that they try to be someone that they are not. In my book, there is nothing more appealing to an interviewer than someone who is genuine.

I think you hit that one dead on. I have interviewed many people. The ones trying to be someone they are not will get absolutely no where with me,
except to show them the door. And it is pretty easy to spot them.

As for people being nervous, I expect it, very common.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Glad to hear you nailed the interview!

I perform a lot, and so nerves are just part and parcel of the whole performing deal. So you really have to learn to deal with it.

Pep talks, like you received are a great way to help with the mental side of nerves. There's also a physiological side of it. A simple exercise I learned a long time ago still works to help calm me down.

You simply inhale, deeply, for 5 seconds. Hold your breath for 5 seconds, then exhale slowly - either on an "s", or as if you were blowing into a straw for 5 seconds. Repeat that several times to help slow your heart rate.

I find this helps not only with nerves, but also when life gets stressful. I take a step back from whatever I'm doing and use that breathing exercise and find I can better tackle whatever situation I'm working with.

Hope that helps someone.

 

[fall08CP]

I know the OP's interview is done, but this could help others still looking for a job.

I was a public speaking major in college. Public speaking doesn't bother me, and since it seems to bother 95% of everyone else, I decided that I would capitalize on it. It's all about practicing and knowing your material. If we were having a conversation and I asked you to speak about say, Disney, I'm sure you'd be able to talk until the cows come home. When you're passionate about a subject, you use your nerves as an advantage.

An interview is testing your knowledge about both yourself and the company you're looking at. Anticipate their questions (they almost always ask: tell us a little about yourself ((make it SHORT, SWEET and MEMORABLE)), strengths/weaknesses, what motivates you, your idea of what leaders should be, etc). Rehearse your answers so you have them down pat, but you don't want them to come off as generic or rehearsed- it's an art

Lastly, if you don't know an answer, don't say "that's a good question" because A) you don't usually mean it and it makes you look unprepared and B) it's better to be honest and say something like "please give me a moment to think it over so that I can give you the best possible answer."

Hope this helps, and best of luck to everyone job searching. I just finished three months of vigorous interviewing myself and definitely did a happy dance when I got my final offer

 

[PolynesianLily]

I really like all the great advice!

Unfortunately, I didn't get the job. But the woman who interviewed me said that I was one of their favorites and that they were really impressed by my interview, but they didn't have enough positions. I guess maybe because I have not worked at a summer camp before and quite possibly others have?

Either way, she said that for next year they will red flag my resume to note that they really liked me in the interview, so I would have a better chance of getting a call. She also said that she called a supervisor for another camp group and told them about me so I may be receiving a call if they are looking for anyone.

Bummed because I needed the money and the experience, but happy that I didn't "fail" or wasn't impressive.

Again, thank you SO much for the advice!!

 

[dalt01]

to strictly answer the OP's question.....a friend of mine prefers Ativan.

 

[PolynesianLily]

Haha
Well I have another job interview tomorrow (at the place that the other people sent my resume to). Short notice = no time to sweat it/be nervous.

 

[jlindemer]

Hakuna Matata!

 

[PolynesianLily]

Hakuna Matata!

No worries!
I also like the saying "Fake it till you make it".