How to overcome fear and anxiety before an interview?

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The employment process in most cases involves the candidate going through an interview procedure. If this business meeting is not a formality and is not held for show, the job applicant will experience serious stress before and during the interview. This condition can become a serious problem and negatively affect the outcome. To avoid such consequences, it is important to figure out how not to worry during an interview.

How not to worry before an interview

Being forewarned means you are in control of the situation. When invited to undergo an interview, the first thing you need to do is collect as much information as possible about the company where it will take place. Of course, the interviewer should tell you about the scope of activity and immediate responsibilities, but not everyone will be confident in their own abilities when entering an unknown river. It is important to know how long the interview will take, read about it here.

You should also try to predict in advance the list of questions that the interviewer will ask. Usually the interview is of a standard nature, so it can be easily found on the Internet. So, armed with a list, you can ask a loved one to be in the place of the leader.

At the same time, it is important to put all jokes aside. If the interviewee’s anxiety already makes itself felt at this stage, you need to repeat the interview again and again. It's like preparing for an exam: if you know the ticket well, you'll pass with flying colors!

It will be useful to get to know the staff if you can find this information on the Internet. The feeling that all people already know each other will help relieve tension and, if the outcome of the interview is favorable, help you quickly integrate into the new team.

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I'm afraid to go for an interview ... How not to be afraid of an interview ? How to overcome fear of an interview ?

Many job seekers feel fear or uncertainty before an interview. Indeed, is it easy to go to an interview where you have to talk with a personnel psychologist or with the head of a department, and often with the general director himself... Because of their fear, many people refuse to start a new stage of their professional life and thereby change their destiny.

I'm afraid to go for an interview ... Uncertainty .

The long-awaited interview is coming up, and the applicant is tormented by questions: “How will the conversation turn out? Will the employer like me? What will happen in the end? What if they ask me a question to which I cannot find a worthy answer? The main reason for the excitement in this case is uncertainty. The more knowledge you have, the less you will be tormented by uncertainty. What knowledge do you need to acquire?

1. Find out as much information as possible about the future company. Carefully study the website of your potential employer.

Try to find out: - How many years the organization has existed; — What products/services the organization offers; — Who is the consumer of the product/service (to whom is it sold); — Legal status of the organization; — Press reviews about the organization; — Presence and reasons for staff reductions/staff turnover; — Company partners, competitors.

Ways to obtain useful information: — Internet; — Brochures and advertising brochures of the enterprise; — Announcements and other information in the company’s office; — Employees of this organization (you can learn a lot of useful things, taking into account, of course, the subjective nature of such stories).

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Try to feel the atmosphere of the company, imagine what it is like: soft, official, active, creative, etc. But don’t forget, information on corporate websites is often posted selectively. Therefore, in order to get an objective picture of the organization, be sure to monitor news about it using any search engine.

2. Read articles and various tips on the topic: how to pass an interview. Of course, this literature does not tell you how to conduct a conversation with the interviewer personally. But they will still be useful - you will get a general idea of ​​the interview. (See: Passing an interview, How to make an impression in an interview)

3. In the same sources you will find a list of questions that are usually asked to the applicant and the correct answers to them. Read it, and you will be much less worried: “What if I am asked a question for which I cannot find a worthy answer?” (See Frequently Asked Interview Questions). The correct answers should not be memorized. It is better to think about your own answer to each of the questions. You can then check it with the book, but if there is a discrepancy, do not consider that you answered incorrectly. Consider book answers only as a hint, as a guide to help you find the correct answer.

4. Think about what is appropriate to talk about during an interview, and what is better to remain silent about. For example, you should not criticize former employees and the company you no longer work for, do not talk about your personal problems and financial difficulties, etc. (See What to say at an interview and what not to say).

5. Some candidates are afraid to ask the employer about the work schedule for a new position, salary levels, vacation, insurance, etc., that is, they are afraid to defend their interests. To feel more confident in an interview, make a list of questions in advance that you will ask the interviewer and don’t be afraid to ask them. The ability to defend one’s interests during an interview adds a plus to the candidate, as it demonstrates self-confidence as a professional and high self-esteem. (See Questions asked to an employer during an interview)

I'm afraid to go for an interview ... Psychological preparation .

If you follow the interview preparation tips described above, you will feel much more confident. But still, this is not enough to completely overcome your fear. You need to devote more time to psychological preparation in order to be calm, confident, natural and open during the interview.

Try to mentally imagine the interview. Imagine how you calmly enter the office, greet the interviewer, sit down, they ask you questions, and you calmly and confidently answer them. The human psyche (more precisely, its unconscious) does not distinguish between imagination and reality, so such exercises are very useful. Your images may turn out dull and blurry, but that doesn't matter. The main thing is your sense of self. Remember what feelings you experienced during some pleasant meeting (with relatives and friends, at a party), “transport” from this situation to the imaginary picture of the interview, feel that you are just as easy and comfortable.

To enhance the effect, come up with a metaphor for the interview (for example, a game, demonstration, chess game, etc.). Choose a suitable metaphor and remind yourself of it often, try to get used to it as much as possible.

I'm afraid to go for an interview ... Importance scale .

Make a scale of your possible troubles: write down a list of them on a piece of paper in order of decreasing degree of horror. Think about illnesses, accidents, accidents, fires, loss of loved ones, divorces, etc. This is a very powerful tool for dealing with your own fears, because a failed interview will be at the very end of the list. As you can see, everything is relative, and being rejected for an interview is not such a big deal.

I'm afraid to go for an interview ... It's worth thinking about ...

Think about what it means to fail an interview? You will not be hired by this company. Why did you decide that you need to fill this vacancy at all costs? Why are you sure that you will feel good here, that you will be treated with respect here, that your creative abilities will be realized in this company, etc.? After all, not only are you tested during the interview, but you also choose a suitable organization for yourself. It remains to be seen what is worse: not being accepted into a position that suits you or being accepted into an unsuitable one. Therefore, do not worry in advance; this vacancy may not suit you yet.

By the way, there are a number of ways to manage your emotional state: NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) techniques, autogenic training, meditative practices, relaxation techniques, as well as specially developed self-regulation systems (O. I. Zhdanov’s stress management system, the “Key” method Kh. M. Alieva, etc.). You can, of course, master these techniques with the help of qualified instructors, or you can do it yourself, with the help of relevant literature. But this is only if you have the time and desire.

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I'm afraid to go for an interview ... Classic method .

Probably, many have heard about such a simple and old method... take a piece of paper, draw what your worries, fears, worries, anxieties look like. And don’t say that you don’t know how to draw, because your goal is not to create a work of art, but to depict your experiences. They could be some abstract figures, faces and human silhouettes, lines, strokes, real and fictional animals - anything. Use felt-tip pens, pencils, markers of various shades, since colors are closely related to emotions. Well, then you need to crush it, tear it and preferably burn it, or at least throw it away - and you will feel how your soul will become lighter. Take control of your fear!

I'm afraid to go for an interview ... For an interview .

And now you find yourself in the office and the interview begins. The most important thing is to be yourself, no need to play. Also, don’t lie—lying creates additional stress. If the interviewer asks you a question that you cannot answer immediately, do not hesitate and ask for time to think. If the interviewer tries to conduct a stressful interview: makes you wait a long time in the reception area, asks awkward questions, etc. (See Stress Interview), calm down and don’t panic, this is just a tactic. But if you are asked a question that, in your opinion, is incorrect or insults your dignity, you are not obliged to answer it. And in general it is better to leave the interview. Is it worth working in a company where such a specialist is involved in personnel selection?

What should you do if during a conversation you feel nervous, your throat is dry, your tongue can barely move and your body is numb? Take a few deep, slow breaths and smile. Try not to jerk your leg, twist the handle, or crack your fingers. Look the interviewer in the eye (but don't stare at him). And if nothing helps at all, explain to the recruiter that you are worried and ask for a glass of water. After this it should become easier. Did not help? Then tell the interviewer that you'd better take a little walk now, excuse yourself and go for a walk along the corridor or get some fresh air. Typically, interviewers understand the candidate's anxiety and are willing to meet.

In a situation where the interviewer begins to irritate you (he behaves too impudently or is very arrogant), it is important to relieve the irritation. Control your breathing, voice tone and posture. Otherwise, your irritation will turn against you.

Finally, when going into an interview, to reduce anxiety and anxiety, ask yourself the question: “What happens if I don’t get this job?” Most likely, after answering it to yourself, you will understand that you have nothing special to fear.

Information for the applicant (those looking for a job): Post your resume so that the employer can find you: looking for a job post your resume | create a resume online

Note to the employer: To increase the efficiency of searching for candidates who meet the requirements of the vacancy, be sure to post a vacancy : job post a vacancy for free | add a vacancy without registering and view your resume.

Everything that is used by the body

How not to be afraid of a job interview? In order to be fully involved in the dialogue during a conversation and not think about abstract topics, you need to give up some food and medications a day before.

Foods that can cause discomfort are excluded from the diet. Too sweet, legumes and flour and laxative foods can cause bloating, which is not good for the interviewee. Alcohol, for example a glass of wine, although it will help you relax in the evening before the interview, drinking too much can have an adverse effect on the morning, and during the interview they will try to quickly say goodbye to you, promising to call you.

Refusing to eat is also not a solution. Without having breakfast, when meeting with a potential boss, he will most likely be able to hear not only the words of a successful and promising person, but also a serenade coming from a hungry belly.

In order not to trigger the nervous system, it is better to avoid drinking coffee and strong black tea, chocolate and a lot of sweets.

How to cope with anxiety before an interview? You should not take antidepressants - they can cause drowsiness and disorientation, and the interview may seem like a chore.

So you will have to give up anything too spicy, salty and pungent, giving preference to natural and easy-to-digest foods.

Treat rejections philosophically

Yes, there may be such a scenario. And there is no need to be frantically afraid of him. After all, this does not mean that you are hopeless, or that the world is unfair to you. Everything is much deeper. Work.ua development director Sergei Marchenko wrote about this the other day:

“Often we have to refuse interviews to very good people. Both professionally not bad, and humanly sympathetic. Sometimes these people write letters and ask: where is my mistake? What did I do wrong?

In fact, if you get to an experienced recruiter, there is little chance of making mistakes. This inexperienced person may reject an applicant because of the color of his shoes, his posture, or a lack of favorable perception of his flat jokes. An experienced recruiter evaluates not you or your behavioral model, but your skills, abilities and some specific personal qualities that interest the employer. Therefore, you need to worry not about making mistakes, but about whether all the important projects in which you took part are reflected in your resume. Refusing good company does not mean you are bad. Good companies never invite less than good candidates for interviews.

A refusal means that they are looking for someone else, not you, for that specific position. Maybe even objectively weaker, but in some other way - this is one of the reasons for refusing highly qualified candidates. Under no circumstances should you get upset and sprinkle ashes on your head. Take this not as a defeat, but as an experience. Because that’s how it really is.”

Take theatrical breaks during the interview to think about questions, joke, breathe deeply and slowly, listen to your favorite song or melody that relaxes you before the interview, and don’t forget to smile. And remember that every interview is an opportunity. Don't miss it, make the most of it and move on towards your goal. And you have it, don’t you?

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Body language will say everything for you

It is important to learn to control your body. Waving your arms, restlessness and excessive activity can only scare away your interlocutors. Just like excessive isolation, quiet speech and complete compression of the whole body will not produce the desired effect on the interviewer.

If the interviewee is overly expressive, he might want to bring something with him to keep his hands busy. You can stock up on a notepad and pen - if necessary, they will serve you well, for example, if you need to draw a graph. And it will be better if the interviewer sees the pen turning in the hands of the interlocutor than to take part in “fist fights”.

Those who are too shy are advised not to shrink in a chair, trying to completely withdraw into themselves, but to sit straight, with their hands on the table, and look not towards their feet under the table, but at the person opposite.

Eye contact is very important, and no one forces you to look your opponent in the eyes - just evaluate the bridge of your nose or the interviewer’s hairstyle.

Before the interview, you can practice in front of the mirror. It will tell you which actions it is better not to take, and which ones need additional work. The mirror will also help you choose the right clothes.

Music must flow from the lips

To overcome interview fears, you need to be loud and clear. Sounds that are literally forced and intermittently pushed into freedom will not be appreciated, nor will a small voice. For relaxation and general calm, it is better to do breathing exercises.

You need to slowly, in five seconds, fill your lungs with air, hold it in and also slowly exhale. Do this exercise several times. At the same time, the body will be saturated with oxygen, breathing will be regulated, which will have a beneficial effect on speech.

It is worth paying close attention to what exactly will be said during the interview. You shouldn’t come up with complexly composed sentences - under stress, you can get confused in them.

Short simple sentences, but not at the “Yes, no, I don’t know” level. It is important to monitor the parasitic words, or rather, their absence. It’s better to speak slowly and with pauses than to try to catch up with sentences with drawn-out “uh-ohs.”

Admit your imperfections

We will assume that you have done your homework well and the degree of anxiety has decreased. The next stage is to admit your imperfection. Because the main reason for fear lies in the fact that the applicant has some gaps that he cannot or has not had time to eliminate.

Perhaps the skills and abilities do not fully correspond to those stated in the vacancy. Perhaps there are outright character flaws that could theoretically interfere with your work. Admit them to yourself, be prepared to answer the recruiter honestly about them - there are no ideal people, and employers understand this.

Accepting your shortcomings and trying to make them your distinctive feature is a sure step towards confidence. After all, if in general you are eager to work in this particular company and prove at the interview that your strengths outweigh any weaknesses, then your excitement may disappear altogether.

Let's move on to conclusions

So, now you know how to stop worrying before an interview and how to not be afraid of an interview. To do this you need to do the following:

  1. Study the company, its field of activity, and, if possible, its personnel.
  2. Go through a demo version of the interview, involve a loved one in this process who can point out mistakes.
  3. Do not eat foods that may cause discomfort.
  4. Work on your gestures.
  5. Practice your speech.

The above tips will help you cope with yourself and successfully pass the interview.

How to overcome fear of an interview and prepare in general for an interview, watch the video:

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