Anyone who has ever gone through the interview process would be lying if they said they did not experience some heightened level of stress or anxiety before and during an interview. A good way to frame this internally is to remember that feeling anxious about an important interview is a great sign that you want to do well! It is your body’s way of saying, “we need to be prepared for this because this matters a lot.” With practice, you can become a master of your own anxiety, and use it to fuel your success in even the most nerve-wracking interview situations.
Here are some quick tips to help you manage your anxiety:
(1) Be mindful of what you eat and drink prior to the interview. Interviewees may feel anxious the night before the interview and then, feeling tired the next day, drink coffee or soda in an effort to “stay sharp.” Anxiety is only heightened and more difficult to cope with as you increase your caffeine and sugar intake! Eat something light before the interview to keep from getting light-headed. Be sure to bring water with you as nerves and lots of talking can lead to a dry mouth.
(2) Double check the details. Confirm the interview date and time. Arrive 20-minutes early to account for potential travel hiccups. Bring printed directions in case your phone malfunctions on the way. Prepare relevant materials, including your resume, cover letter, pen, and notepad.
(3) Pre-Interview Warm-Up. Like the rest of your bodies, your voice does better when it’s been properly warmed up. Try reading out loud from a book or magazine. Practice your greeting and basic introduction out loud on the way to the interview. Use the first few minutes after arrival to let the staff know you have arrived, which is also a great time to give your voice one last warm-up before the interview starts.
(4) Prepare well for the interview. A well-prepared interviewee puts themselves in an advantageous situation over their potential competition. One great way to prepare for an interview is to PRACTICE DOING ONE! You can practice online through UNL’s Big Interview online platform. Or, in person, at the Business Career Center, you can discuss interviewing strategies or do a practice interview.
More details at: http://business.unl.edu/current-students/business-career-center/