Job Interview: Managing Nervousness
27 March 2012
Read by 2153 persons
Good preparation and a generally positive attitude will allow you to experience your job interviews with serenity.
Who doesn't know that feeling of a knot in their stomach just before an exam or a job interview? A small amount of nervousness or anxiety is perfectly normal and is part of the specific situation reflecting a certain competitive context. It can even lead to exceptional performance and push you beyond your limits. However, excessive nervousness is a hindrance and prevents you from showing what you are truly capable of.
Here are some tips that will allow you to approach a job interview with serenity.
Good preparation - guaranteed serenity
Good preparation is a decisive factor: "Knowing that you have a ready answer to potential questions is reassuring," admits Ruedi Kurth, a career coaching consultant from the Laufbahnberatung Kiebitz firm in Basel. In addition to questions about motivation, career path, and potential critical points in the resume, it is also important to be well-informed about the company you are applying to and the potential interviewers.
"Furthermore, it can be wise to know who I am sitting opposite," says Kurth. He recommends memorizing the names and positions of the various interviewers and searching for their photos on the internet.
Allow enough time to be on time
To start the job interview well, being punctual is essential; therefore, allow enough time for travel: "Being pressed for time is an additional stress factor - so this situation must be avoided at all costs," says Ruedi Kurth. Appropriate attire and a neat presentation will help you feel more confident and relaxed. "But you must feel comfortable: if you never wear high heels and you're afraid of slipping at any moment, leave them in the closet instead of stressing yourself with an extra problem," advises Kurth.
At the interview, it is recommended to bring the application file submitted to the company, as well as any prepared questions and notes: "Even if you don't use the file during the interview, it will at least reassure you to know that you can consult it at any time if needed."
Breathing exercises to fight stress
To combat anxiety just before the interview, it can be helpful to do some breathing and relaxation exercises: "When we are nervous and anxious, our breathing becomes shallow, superficial, without depth," explains Franca Basoli, a Zurich actress who offers coaching to improve self-confidence, body awareness, and voice.
The Swiss actress proposes a simple and effective exercise to reduce nervousness and refocus: the person stands up, relaxed, legs and feet parallel, feet apart corresponding to the pelvis, back straight. Now, place your hands on your abdomen and "follow" the movements of the abdomen to the rhythm of breathing, face relaxed - for ten to twenty breathing cycles.
Relaxed body awareness for more confidence
Then, in the same exercise, cross your hands in front of your body. Inhale deeply through your nose and, in doing so, describe a large arc with your arms in front of your body and raise them above your head. At the end of the inhalation, gently place your hands on the back of your head and press lightly during the breathing pause. Then exhale, slightly opening your mouth and making the opposite movement with your arms, that is, moving your arms from above your head to the front of your body describing a large arc - all while remaining relaxed and not tense. Have enough breath to exhale the "rest" when your arms are in front of your body. After a short pause, repeat the exercise and repeat it three times. At the end, rub your hands until you feel a warm sensation and pass your (warm) hands over your face and body.
"This exercise only takes a few minutes and helps to prepare the body as best as possible for the stressful situation of a job interview or another similar event," explains Franca Basoli.
Adopt a positive attitude in the interview
A decisive factor: adopting a positive attitude towards the interview. "You have to tell yourself that it's an opportunity, that the fact of having been invited is already a great advantage, and that you have left behind a large number of candidates," specifies Ruedi Kurth, a career coaching consultant.
It is much easier to have the required confidence when you tell yourself that the company that invited you wants to get to know you and is interested in you, and that you yourself possess an attractive "baggage" to offer: "Most job interviews today take place in a very benevolent context, so there's no need to be afraid," confirms Kurth.
Accept the offered drinks
The career specialist recommends remaining relaxed and calm during the interview itself: "After a certain amount of time, anxiety generally disappears." If you have a dry throat or fear having a blackout, take a sip of water or coffee. "Therefore, it is preferable to never refuse the offered drinks," advises Kurth.
He also recommends placing your feet parallel to the ground, adopting a relaxed but upright posture, and making eye contact with everyone present in the room or conference room, including those who are not speaking. "This is reassuring and creates a positive impression on these people," says Kurth.
Monster.ch
Posted on March 27, 2012.
Who doesn't know that feeling of a knot in their stomach just before an exam or a job interview? A small amount of nervousness or anxiety is perfectly normal and is part of the specific situation reflecting a certain competitive context. It can even lead to exceptional performance and push you beyond your limits. However, excessive nervousness is a hindrance and prevents you from showing what you are truly capable of.
Here are some tips that will allow you to approach a job interview with serenity.
Good preparation - guaranteed serenity
Good preparation is a decisive factor: "Knowing that you have a ready answer to potential questions is reassuring," admits Ruedi Kurth, a career coaching consultant from the Laufbahnberatung Kiebitz firm in Basel. In addition to questions about motivation, career path, and potential critical points in the resume, it is also important to be well-informed about the company you are applying to and the potential interviewers.
"Furthermore, it can be wise to know who I am sitting opposite," says Kurth. He recommends memorizing the names and positions of the various interviewers and searching for their photos on the internet.
Allow enough time to be on time
To start the job interview well, being punctual is essential; therefore, allow enough time for travel: "Being pressed for time is an additional stress factor - so this situation must be avoided at all costs," says Ruedi Kurth. Appropriate attire and a neat presentation will help you feel more confident and relaxed. "But you must feel comfortable: if you never wear high heels and you're afraid of slipping at any moment, leave them in the closet instead of stressing yourself with an extra problem," advises Kurth.
At the interview, it is recommended to bring the application file submitted to the company, as well as any prepared questions and notes: "Even if you don't use the file during the interview, it will at least reassure you to know that you can consult it at any time if needed."
Breathing exercises to fight stress
To combat anxiety just before the interview, it can be helpful to do some breathing and relaxation exercises: "When we are nervous and anxious, our breathing becomes shallow, superficial, without depth," explains Franca Basoli, a Zurich actress who offers coaching to improve self-confidence, body awareness, and voice.
The Swiss actress proposes a simple and effective exercise to reduce nervousness and refocus: the person stands up, relaxed, legs and feet parallel, feet apart corresponding to the pelvis, back straight. Now, place your hands on your abdomen and "follow" the movements of the abdomen to the rhythm of breathing, face relaxed - for ten to twenty breathing cycles.
Relaxed body awareness for more confidence
Then, in the same exercise, cross your hands in front of your body. Inhale deeply through your nose and, in doing so, describe a large arc with your arms in front of your body and raise them above your head. At the end of the inhalation, gently place your hands on the back of your head and press lightly during the breathing pause. Then exhale, slightly opening your mouth and making the opposite movement with your arms, that is, moving your arms from above your head to the front of your body describing a large arc - all while remaining relaxed and not tense. Have enough breath to exhale the "rest" when your arms are in front of your body. After a short pause, repeat the exercise and repeat it three times. At the end, rub your hands until you feel a warm sensation and pass your (warm) hands over your face and body.
"This exercise only takes a few minutes and helps to prepare the body as best as possible for the stressful situation of a job interview or another similar event," explains Franca Basoli.
Adopt a positive attitude in the interview
A decisive factor: adopting a positive attitude towards the interview. "You have to tell yourself that it's an opportunity, that the fact of having been invited is already a great advantage, and that you have left behind a large number of candidates," specifies Ruedi Kurth, a career coaching consultant.
It is much easier to have the required confidence when you tell yourself that the company that invited you wants to get to know you and is interested in you, and that you yourself possess an attractive "baggage" to offer: "Most job interviews today take place in a very benevolent context, so there's no need to be afraid," confirms Kurth.
Accept the offered drinks
The career specialist recommends remaining relaxed and calm during the interview itself: "After a certain amount of time, anxiety generally disappears." If you have a dry throat or fear having a blackout, take a sip of water or coffee. "Therefore, it is preferable to never refuse the offered drinks," advises Kurth.
He also recommends placing your feet parallel to the ground, adopting a relaxed but upright posture, and making eye contact with everyone present in the room or conference room, including those who are not speaking. "This is reassuring and creates a positive impression on these people," says Kurth.
Monster.ch
Posted on March 27, 2012.
