Interviews can be nerve-wracking, even for the most experienced professionals.
The pressure to impress, combined with the fear of the unknown, can make anyone anxious.
However, staying calm and composed during the full recruitment process is crucial to showcasing your true potential and securing your desired Marketing role.
Here is how to calm interview nerves, before and during meetings with potential employers.
1. Prepare thoroughly
Preparation is the cornerstone of confidence.
Research the company, its culture, and the role you’re applying for. Understand the company’s mission, values, and recent achievements.
Familiarise yourself with common interview questions and practice your responses.
The more you know and anticipate, the less you’ll worry about unexpected questions.
2. Practice mindfulness and breathing techniques
Mindfulness and breathing exercises can significantly reduce anxiety.
Before the interview, take a few moments to practice deep breathing.
Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale through your mouth. Repeat this process several times to calm your mind and body.
Additionally, try mindfulness meditation to stay present and focused.
Personal tip: I like to reframe interview meetings as ‘great conversations’ you get to have with employers you admire and want to work for. The word conversation carries more of a positive meaning and helps to reduce nerves.
3. Visualise success
Visualisation is a powerful technique used by athletes and performers to enhance their confidence.
Close your eyes and imagine yourself walking into the interview room with poise, answering questions confidently, and impressing the interviewers.
Visualising a positive outcome can help reduce anxiety and increase self-assurance.
4. Use a cheat sheet
Bring a small notebook with key points you want to remember, such as questions for the interviewer, notable achievements, and company facts.
Having this reference can provide reassurance and keep you on track during the interview.
Personal tip: Prepare your key interview points on small speaker cards that you can carry and review ahead of recruitment meetings.
If you have a visual memory, read those before going to bed and when first waking up.
This will help to imprint the content of your cards in your mind.
5. Dress comfortably and appropriately
Your outfit can influence your confidence levels.
Choose attire that is professional and appropriate for the company’s culture, but also ensure it is comfortable.
When you feel good in what you’re wearing, it boosts your confidence and reduces distractions during the interview.
Personal tip: I like to travel to interviews in comfortable casual clothes and get changed into my interview clothes before the meeting starts (this means arriving early). This prevents interview clothes getting dirty or sweaty while travelling to recruitment meetings.
6. Arrive early
Rushing to an interview can heighten anxiety.
Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early.
This extra time allows you to settle in, use the restroom, and gather your thoughts.
Arriving early also shows punctuality and eagerness, which are positive traits in any candidate.
7. Stay hydrated and avoid caffeine
While it might be tempting to have a strong coffee before your interview, caffeine can increase anxiety.
Choose water instead to stay hydrated and calm.
If you need a boost, consider green tea, which has a calming effect.
8. Focus on the conversation
Instead of fixating on your anxiety, shift your focus to the conversation.
Listen actively to the interviewer’s questions and respond thoughtfully.
Engaging in the discussion will help you stay present and reduce nervousness.
Treat the interview as a two-way dialogue, not an interrogation.
9. Adopt positive body language
Your body language can convey confidence or nervousness.
Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and offer a firm handshake.
Smiling can also help relax you and create a positive impression.
Remember, non-verbal cues are just as important as what you say.
Personal tip: In addition to your body language, be aware of your internal dialogue. For example, telling yourself that you are nervous, that you are not sure if the hiring manager likes you etc… won’t help calming your nerves prior and during interviews. Instead, tell yourself you are well prepared, you are enjoying meeting new people from a company you want to work for and that you are doing your best at this specific point in time. Positive self-talk can boost your confidence during the recruitment process and help you get more from the experience.
10. Accept that it’s okay to be nervous
Finally, acknowledge that feeling nervous is completely normal.
Accepting your anxiety rather than fighting it can reduce its power over you.
Interviewers understand that candidates may be nervous and often appreciate authenticity over perfection.
Conclusion
Interviews don’t have to be a source of dread.
With proper preparation, mindfulness and a few practical strategies, you can learn how to calm interview nerves and present your best self.
Remember, that recruitment is a two-way process. Both parties are assessing what is right for them.
So, stay calm, confident and be yourself.
Good luck!