There are only very rare exceptions where the person is not anxious about/before an interview. Most of us are all nerves. No one can completely rid themselves of their anxiety but one can learn how to control and curb it so that one can give one's best in the interview and get the post.
Be Well Prepared
The works begins once the date and time of the interview is decided. First and foremost, you need to research the company thoroughly, know what it does and its general ideologies. But if you still feel it isn't enough, research more.
Knowing themotto and aims of the establishment is a good place to start. Also reading some previous years' annual reports is a good way to familiarize yourself with the company. The more familiar one is with the organization the better, since it makes one feel comfortable and not over stressed, especially at the end, when the feared 'Do you have any queries for the company and us?' rises.
Anticipating the questions is absolutely necessary to your preparation. If you haven't given it any thought, the possibility of you panicking when the questions are posed is quite high. You'll be so worried about how your answer will that you might not even hear the question properly. A slight amount of planning can make the process a lot simpler.
You could also choose examples in which you can narrate instances where you have brought success for your company.
These examples are quantitative in nature, making them easier to appreciate and understand for the interviewer. Not only that, they are also good points about oneself, hence acting as a resistor against the disruptive manifestations of anxiety and nerves.
One can even look back at one's previous job pursuits as a guiding reference for the current one. In recalling past episodes, one can at least think of a couple of interviewers who seemed intimidating, yet after having got the job, the same person seemed relatively harmless. This is good way to calm one's nerves and console oneself.
The D - Day
Even though we may be prepared thoroughly, yet on the day of the interview one still is a bunch of nerves. The best solution for this is pre planning and strategizing your day.
The previous night, keep all the clothes you're going to wear for the interview ready and arranged together. Also the file all the required documents properly and keep them at a spot from where you can just pick them up and rush out. This mayrule out many possible delays like searching for a missing paper or sock during the rush hour.
Getting up a little earlier than your usual hour doesn't hurt either. This gives one time to mentally prepare oneself for the interview. Also if there are any delay, for example a traffic jam, and If one's had the time to be prepared for it, chances of one being reduced to jumble of nerves even before the interview starts are less. Also getting up early will give us time to leave early, so that the possibility of actually being delayed is less. But this doesn't mean that we have to be up so early that we'll be tired during the interview.
Staying cool mostly depends on your preparation and body language during the interview. But fewerdistractionsalso help a lot in putting you in the right state of mind. If you're stuck in a traffic jam, not clear and confident where you're going and not presentably dressed, your confidence level is sure to plummet.
At the time of the Interview
Preparation is of the utmost importance when it comes to staying calm during the interview. Certainlyone has to answer the questions and worry about body language. But once you've polished and practiced your replies, thought over your body language, and researched on the interviewing company, the biggest task is over.
The interviewer expects a bit of nervousness. One just needs to be and look sure of his/her abilities. One tip: If you're overly anxious, pause for a split second and think about the question asked and take a deep breath. Don't worry about the seconds lost because the interviewer does know you're nervous and plus, a trace of nerves signifies that you're worried about getting the job.
Last but not the least; accept that some things are just out of one's control. You may do your best, but may still not be hired. There's only so much you can do.Trust the person opposite to know what he or she is looking for because sometimes you may just not be the right fit for that particular job. And accepting this will help one avoid feeling dejected and/or angry with the interviewer. Such an attitude will help one project one's best not only in the present interview but even while working.
