The evening before your interview
Make sure you have your clothes, your material (application form, interview instructions, preparatory notes, presentation etc), travel instructions and tickets ready for the morning.
If you want to be at your peak you need a good night’s sleep before your interview. Avoid having a heavy meal and avoid alcohol, however tempting. If you watch television, go for something light and relaxing.
A warm bath will help to prepare the mind and body for deep relaxation.
Before you go to bed sit in a darkened room and try some 7/11 breathing. This is a simple technique for dealing with the sharp, shallow breaths resulting from an agitated mental state. Breathe in slowly and steadily to the count of seven, then breathe out slowly and steadily to the count of eleven. Continue with this rhythm of in-breaths and out-breaths until your breathing becomes more relaxed and regular and the tension subsides.
On the day of the interview
Start the day with a good breakfast – yogurt, lots of whole grains, fruit and fruit juice. But if you are staying hotel, now is not the time to indulge in a heavy cooked breakfast. Then take yourself somewhere quiet, try some 7/11 breathing and read through you application form and any notes you have made on the organisation etc. Allow yourself plenty of time to dress and to travel to the interview.
Arriving at the interview
If you arrive feeling hot and bothered go to the loo and run cold water over your wrists and dab behind the ears, this has a very refreshing effect on the body because it is here that arteries are close to the surface, so dabbing these spots with cold water literally cools the blood. This will also give you the confidence that you won’t give that dreaded sweaty handshake.
While waiting (probably the most stressful part of the whole process)
I believe it is worth reading your application and your material while you wait. But you need to do this calmly, while breathing quietly. If want to look calm at the interview, take a smiling photo of someone who cares for you with you. Keep that smile in your mind as you go in to meet the panel and respond to them with the warm smile reserved for someone close.
During the interview
Be kind to yourself and take time to breathe gently – breathe out the negative and breathe in the positive. Remember these people in front of you want you to do well! You are bringing them something special!
Post interview
After the interview go out and do something you love; go for a walk, indulge in your favourite hobby, go and buy yourself that special present. Find something nice to take home to those you love or talk to a good friend. If possible do not dwell on what you did or didn’t say.
Good luck and please let me know how you got on. If you have tips to pass on, please do!
Related articles
- How to answer questions in an interview! (leavingthepublicsector.net)
- So you have an interview – how will you make your mark?(leavingthepublicsector.net)
- Calming Breathing Techniques (youngyogis.wordpress.com)
- Anxiety and the Breath (bodyworkwithaloha.wordpress.com)
I am Wendy Mason and I work as a personal and business coach, consultant and blogger. I have worked with many different kinds of people going through personal and career change. If you would like my help, please email me at wendymason@wisewolfconsulting.com or ring ++44(0)2084610114 or ++44(0)7867681439. I will be very pleased to hear from you.
Hi Wendy – excellent nerve calming tips. Most people become nervous because they fear failure / rejection. It is important for all candidates to understand that an interview is a 2 way street and they are assessing the company just as much as the company is evaluating them. There is no substitute for thorough research beforehand and a solid understanding of transferable skills and achievements. If this work is done well in advance, nerves will be minimal!
Thanks Dorothy, yes I agree totally. I believe preparation is so important and candidates do need to appreciate the two way nature of the encounter.