The first key is to understand the “setting” you are in. The second key is to prepare to succeed in the interview “setting”.
The first thing to know about a Job Interview is that it is not a discussion. It is full on a presentation and you are the presenter.
There are many aspects of a job interview that are not congruent with normal societal interactions and that is one of the reasons we get anxious in a job interview.
It is an office setting and someone is asking you a list of questions and and it seems pretty normal on the one hand and on the other it is not because usually in the middle to it that person will ask you questions like: “what is your greatest weakness” or where did you and your last boss disagree?”.
Those are not questions people normally ask you if you just met them at a party etc and of course those particular (“negative”) questions feel counterintuitive (and they are) so know wonder we get anxious!
It is best to think of an interview like a Hollywood set. If you are watching a show and it is people in a coffee shop remember that the set has only three walls. Where the other wall would normally be is a camera crew, a director etc. It is a TV set and the actors are not having a discussion , they are presenting what they have practiced and rehearsed.
So what will relieve your internal pressure is remembering that this is a challenging situation. Think of it like going on a ride at the fair. What grounds you when you are 100 feet up in the air is the knowledge that although it is scary, you are on a ride and you are safe, and the fear you are feeling is natural and appropriate to the situation.
The second key to a job interview is preparation. You are not there to “think” of answers , or try to remember what accomplishments you had in the past , or how you functioned as part of a team. You are there to present what you have prepared as it is relevant to that company’s culture, needs and goals ( just like an actor “presenting” their “lines”).
When you are prepared you will be less anxious and feel feelings like confidence, excitement etc which the interviewer will pick up on.
You can do it!
David Prystawa
P.S. If you want to learn more about how to become really good at job interviews and get the career/job offers you want come join the #1
Facebook Group for Job Seekers:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/jobbanks
I coach mid-career professionals on how to become experts in job interview skills so that they “stand out” above their competition and get the job/career that they desire.
