| Your heart is beating faster than usual, your hands feel | | | | anxiety. |
| clammy, your mouth is so dry it feels like you have | | | | Preparation before the interview |
| cotton inside - and your supposed to feel confident. | | | | These are competitive times and you should steel |
| Are you going to an interview or a torture session? | | | | yourself to expect some rejection. Think about it this |
| The answer is - "it's all in your perspective." | | | | way, "Did you get a marriage proposal after every |
| Ideally you would sit poised thumbing through a | | | | date?" Well, you probably aren't going to get a job |
| magazine, feeling relaxed as you wait your turn to | | | | offer after every interview. |
| have a conversation with the interviewer for the | | | | For every job you apply for there are more than likely |
| company. Think about it - what do you have to lose | | | | three to four equally qualified candidates in line for the |
| here? What's the worst thing that can happen? What | | | | same job. Whether you stand out from "the crowd" |
| if you don't get this job - is the world going to stop | | | | will depend on your preparation and ability to show |
| turning? I realize of course, that bills must be paid, but | | | | confidence in yourself - believing that you are the "best |
| you are taking the wrong approach if you are going to | | | | candidate for this job." How can you possibly sell |
| come across as desperate - "Please, please, hire me." | | | | anyone anything if you don't believe in it yourself? |
| Interviewers smell fear. | | | | Preparation will make you feel more confident and less |
| A change in thinking | | | | anxious. Can you imagine giving a performance without |
| The first, and most important step is to change the | | | | some practice and preparation? "Winging" the |
| way that you view the interview. This is not an | | | | interview in today's market is a big mistake. |
| appointment with the dentist who may inflict pain. It is a | | | | Fear of Rejection |
| conversation with another person. What is the worst | | | | You may have had a number of interviews with no |
| thing that can happen as a result of the interview? | | | | offer. You may be feeling defeated, and it's beginning |
| You won't get the job, which may not have been the | | | | to affect your-self esteem. |
| right job for you anyway. | | | | This would be true of anyone. But it is a mistake to |
| Secondly, this is a conversation - a two-way process. | | | | take it personally. There are so many factors that |
| You will be interviewing them as much as they are | | | | could be affecting the offer that it is impossible to say |
| interviewing you. Is there a good fit here - both ways? | | | | what is happening. There may be internal candidates, |
| What looks good on paper may not be what it | | | | relatives promised jobs, a competitor who is a perfect |
| appears - for either party. It will be part of your job | | | | match for the job, a lack of chemistry between you |
| during the interview to investigate whether this a good | | | | and the new boss, a mismatch in salary needs, etc., |
| place for you, and whether you want to invest a | | | | etc. |
| significant part of your life here. When you are not | | | | Let it go |
| checking them out and what they have to offer you | | | | Give yourself credit for getting an interview - only a |
| are missing an opportunity that you may regret later. | | | | small percentage of people get this far in the process. |
| Calming techniques | | | | Give yourself credit for going out there and putting |
| One of the best techniques to handle stress is through | | | | yourself on the line, even though it is painful for you. |
| breathing. Take deliberate, shallow breaths. Take air in | | | | Give yourself permission to not get job offers. Believe |
| through the nostrils and exhale quietly through your | | | | that an offer will come through when it is the right |
| mouth. This is a technique that should be practiced as | | | | offer - the right fit for the company and for you. Take |
| a relaxation technique before the interview so that | | | | the control back and reject the feeling of fear. |
| your body gets used to slowing down the breathing | | | | When you have done everything to prepare for the |
| process and relaxing. | | | | interview, and you are satisfied that you can present |
| Relaxation techniques such as yoga, and meditation | | | | yourself in the best light possible, the next step is for |
| classes, are recommended for anyone who has an | | | | you to let it go. You can learn something from each |
| extreme case of "interview fright." The interview can | | | | interview. Learn to enjoy meeting new people and |
| cause panic attacks if the fear is strong enough. | | | | having new experiences. Who knows you may even |
| Pre-conditioning will do wonders for this type of | | | | grow to like interviewing. |