How Do You Handle Job Interview Jitters?

It's perfectly natural to feel nervous about a job interview, but when your nerves start to overwhelm you with interview jitters, you'll likely lose focus on what's important and start to worry about your sweaty palms or twitchy eyelid instead. Handling job interview jitters is no more complicated than finding ways to handle other nervous situations you've encountered in your life.

Preparation is Key

If you compare an interview to a final exam, you likely felt a bit jittery but confident going into the exam you studied for. Any exam you failed to prepare will likely set your heart pounding and possibly brought on tremendous anxiety. The key to reducing nerves and jitters is to prepare for the interview as much as possible. Research possible interview questions and write out thoughtful responses. Try on your interview outfit beforehand and be sure it fits well and feels good. Research the company and the position so you are informed. Use a mirror or friend to practice answering some basic questions so you feel warmed up and ready ahead of time.

Remember the Two-Way Street

Every interview is a two-way street. While the company is interviewing you, you are also gaining valuable information about the company and position as well as making your own decision about working for the interviewer. Focusing on your own observations rather than on how well you're measuring up to another's observations will help you relax and give your mind a better angle throughout the interview process.

Keep Up the Conversation

An interview doesn't have to be a question and answer session. In fact, it's much more beneficial to you to treat it as a conversation between two nicely dressed people. Treat every question as you would one at a dinner party. Answer carefully with politeness and a conversational tone. Don't be afraid to ask the interviewer questions of your own to help you expand your response - or rather, your side of the conversation.

Use the Energy

If your stomach is churning and you can feel anxiety building, consider it fuel for what's ahead and push it back into your lower abdomen. Rather than feeling sick from that anxiety, make it a positive energy - more like excitement about the opportunity. This is in the realm of mind games, but if you can channel the nervous energy into enthusiasm, you'll be helping yourself tremendously rather than feeling slightly ill throughout the interview.

Quit Caring

You only feel nervous because you care about how the interview goes. In a bit of reverse psychology, remind yourself why this particular interview isn't all that important. You might remind yourself of other prospects or treat it like a practice interview, but if you can convince yourself this interview isn't life or death, it likely won't feel that way anymore. If you're prepared well enough, having a laid-back attitude will let your abilities shine through more effectively anyhow.