Everyone gets nervous before an interview but interview anxiety is a completely new ball game. People can experience a rage of symptoms ranging from severe to minor including shortness of breath, increased heart rate and blood pressure, headaches, etc. Whether you are only experiencing mild symptoms or more severe, it definitely doesn’t help you be your best going into an interview. Below we discuss 3 steps to lowering interview anxiety.

Focus on What You Can Control

Be proactive when facing an interview by focusing on what you can control. Choose your outfit, update and print your resume, track your route ahead of time, get a good nights rest, and leave a little early so you’re sure to be on time. Focusing on what you can actively do to make the interview go well will help you to feel more in control of the situation and more confident when arriving.

Mind Your Intake

Prior to the interview, you want to be sure to have a good meal but be careful what you choose. A large, heavy meal will make you feel sluggish, tired and bloated. This will make it hard to focus and may have you appear uninterested. On the contrary, too light of a or too much caffeine will make you feel jittery which could increase your overall anxiety. Plan ahead and prepare a meal that will fill you up without being too heavy and be sure to watch your caffeine intake until after you leave.

One Thing at a Time

When going in for an interview, it is easy to get caught up worrying about “crushing it”. Everyone wants to do well, but the more you worry about making a SPLASH, the more anxiety you will build up before time. Don’t be critical of every little thing that happens. Minimize your stress going in by just focusing on being yourself and being fully present. Answer one question at a time; follow the pace your interviewer sets. The best thing you can do is how who you really are and be in the moment. Show your interviewer you respect their time by not trying to rush through. Take your time, take a deep breath and be confident in what you have to offer.    

Interview anxiety can be difficult but it is definitely manageable as long as you give yourself some time to prepare both mentally and physically. When things start to speed up or feel out of control, take a breath and slow them down by focusing on what is in front of you and what you can control. You were chosen for the interview for a reason, be confident in that.