| "If you are as cool as a cucumber... you're probably as | | | | 2. WALK: If you don't want to exercise, you might |
| exciting as a cucumber." -Roger Ailes, Media Guru | | | | want to walk to the interview. Moving your body will |
| Think about that the next time you walk into an | | | | release the accumulated adrenaline. |
| interview. | | | | 3. THE FIST PUMP: Full disclosure. I learned this trick in |
| The GOOD news is that it's good to be nervous | | | | the Dale Carnegie Public Speaking Course. Open your |
| before (and even during) an interview. Yes, being | | | | left hand. Make a fist with your right hand. Pound your |
| nervous is good! | | | | right-handed fist into your left hand and each time, tell |
| Why? Because if you can learn how to channel this | | | | yourself why you are going to have a great interview. |
| nervous energy into positive energy, you will appear to | | | | For example: "I'm going to have a great interview |
| be more animated and energetic in the interview. So, | | | | because (POUND) I've prepared, (POUND) I have a lot |
| that's good. | | | | to offer, (POUND) and I really want to work for this |
| Most people try to control their nerves. It doesn't work. | | | | company. |
| What happens is that people try to bottle up the | | | | 4. JUMPING JACKS: (this is my personal favorite and I |
| nervous energy, hold it in. They grasp their chair, fold | | | | do it) Go into the restroom before your interview. Do |
| their arms, try to modulate their voice - and the result is | | | | 20 - 50 jumping jacks. You will release energy and feel |
| that the nervous energy will find a way to escape. | | | | more relaxed. |
| They will develop a head tick, or swivel in their chair, or | | | | 5. PUSH-UPS: This is a variation on #4. Go into a |
| sound strained in their voice. | | | | restroom stall and do 50 push-ups against the stall wall. |
| The trick is that you don't want to control the nervous | | | | It's not as aerobic as the jumping jacks, but it can get |
| energy - you want to release it in a positive way. You | | | | your blood going. |
| will want to channel or direct it. So, instead of fighting | | | | * All of this may sound goofy to you, but I encourage |
| with you, you use it to help you get energy. Here are | | | | you to try one or all of these techniques and decide |
| some tips for turning the energy around: | | | | what one works for you. When you release your |
| 1. EXERCISE: You may want to find a way to get | | | | nervous energy, you will feel more energized and |
| some exercise before your interview. Run, swim, work | | | | focused. And, that will help you to ace the interview. |
| out. All of this will release your pent up energy. Your | | | | You'll look more confident and you'll be able to think |
| adrenaline will be flowing. | | | | more clearly. Try it! What do you have to lose? |