How to Combat Interview Anxiety

“Good news! I am excited to inform you that you have been selected to move to the next round of interviews for the ___ role. Congratulations!”

There are few emotional rollercoasters as extreme as the exhilaration of getting an interview request versus the intense nervousness that can accompany the interview itself. If you experience interview anxiety, you are not alone. Research has shown that 93% of Americans have experienced interview-related anxiety. This anxiety can be especially prevalent in students and entry-level job seekers.

The reality is that it’s almost impossible to rid yourself of interview nerves completely. In fact, it’s completely normal to have some level of nervousness associated with an interview. It means that you care about the outcome and about making a good impression. While some level of nerves can be healthy, you never want to let your nerves take over completely. Easier said than done, right? The unfortunate reality is that you can lose out on job opportunities because of nerves. I’ve interviewed candidates who have become so flustered and nervous during interviews that, unfortunately, it becomes impossible to get anything of substance out of them. Others may panic and shut down, making it hard to continue a conversation. I’ve heard similar stories from hiring managers.