As Told by College Students: Ways to Relax Before Your Job Interview

By Rhiannon Winner on July 14, 2017

Let’s face it: job interviews are scary. Although there are some people who perform well under pressure, a lot of us have trouble shining when we’re anxious. So how do you overcome those jitters and impress your interviewer? Well, to find the best pre-interview relaxation strategies, I asked college students who have landed jobs or internships what tips they had.

Get ready the night before

Katia (Gettysburg College) recommends “getting all your stuff ready the night before (outfit, place location, place information, etc.) so when it’s time to leave you’re prepared.” That way, “you’re calm because you’re already ready.”

Hopefully, knowing that you’ve already done all that you can do will help you get a good night’s sleep so you’re ready to slay that interview in the morning. Be sure to plan not only what you’re wearing and where you’re going but also what you’ll say when you get there! You want to clearly demonstrate to your interviewer that you have done some research on the company or organization, and know what the position entails.

Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that you have some thoughtful questions prepared for the interviewer. They will often ask at the conclusion of the interview if there is anything you would like to ask them, so you should be armed with a couple of smart inquiries.

Break out your favorite outfit 

Wynter (Gettysburg College) prepares for an interview by “pick[ing] out an outfit that’s appropriate,” and one that she said, “I feel really confident in.”

Not only dressing up but in particular choosing an outfit that makes you feel good is a surefire way to project the confidence and charisma your interviewer wants to see. When selecting your interview attire, keep in mind the position you’re interviewing for. You always want to dress nicely for an interview, although it might not be worth breaking out a tuxedo if you’re applying for a position at Chipotle.

Keep in mind the weather as well. Women sometimes feel powerful in a certain dress or skirt, but if it’s freezing outside and you’ll be exposed to the cold for more than a few seconds, you may want to pick something warmer or add another layer to your outfit.

Image credit: Pixabay.com

Put it in perspective 

Grace (Harvard University) said “I just keep reminding myself that even if I don’t get the job, it’s not the end of the world.”

Keeping things in perspective, and reminding yourself that you’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future, is a tried and trusted strategy that many students recommended to me. It will, of course, be a disappointment if you don’t get the job you want, especially if it was your top choice. But reminding yourself that you can still succeed without it is going to relax you far more than stressing over every syllable you uttered in the interview for the next week.

Write

If you fancy yourself a writer, Mowafac’s (German Jordanian University) strategy is to “write down how I’m feeling in my journal that I carry with me every day.”

Sometimes staring our worries in the face can help us remember that our jitters aren’t the biggest problem in the world and that we’re totally capable of beating them. You can write in a physical notebook like Mowafac, or you can type up your thoughts on a phone or laptop. It’s important to do what works best for you!

Study, study, study! 

Abigail (Gettysburg College) has separate strategies for in-person and phone interviews. For in-person ones, Abigail said “I always get there (or to the area) 15-20 minutes early. If it’s a phone interview, I spend the 20 minutes before the interview going over research I have done on the organization and looking over questions that I have written down to ask the interviewers.”

Studying up on the particulars of a company or organization is sure to get your recognition from your interviewer. Your knowledge will shine through, whether you’re sitting across the desk from them or simply on the phone.

Phone interviews are a unique kind of beast (which is why Abigail has a different strategy for tackling them). They’re less intimidating for some people since you can conduct them from the safety of your home. For others, though, they’re terrifying, especially for people who dislike talking on the phone. If you’re a member of the latter group, Abigail’s tips will be particularly helpful to you. Having everything you want to say written down in front of you will help keep your thoughts straight, and indeed might result in a better performance.

For these kinds of interviews, make sure that you speak clearly and confidently, as it can sometimes be more difficult to understand a person on the phone than in person. If you miss something your interviewer says due to a bad connection, don’t be afraid to let them know. Otherwise, a phone interview is no different than an in-person one. You just get the benefit of peeking at a cheat sheet when you need it!

Strike a power pose

While interviewing for a competitive fellowship program, Hera (University of Tennessee) stated that “me and some of the other girls went to power pose in the restroom. Hands on the hips, chest out, and chin high, we ladies blew it out of the water.”

Reminding yourself just how incredible you are (and how great you look in that outfit you chose based on Wynter’s tip) is a great way to boost your confidence right before heading into your interview.

Don’t be worried about looking silly. No one is going to judge you, and frankly, plenty of them probably do the same sorts of pre-interview confidence boosters. But if you’re self-conscious about the idea of doing power poses in a public bathroom, don’t be afraid to do them at home first. As long as you step out the door with some renewed confidence, you’ll do just fine.

Now get out there and rock that interview!

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