9 things people don’t tell you about job interviews to help ease your anxiety

Not many people tell you these things which may help relieve some of your anxiety.

Job interviews. Two words which can instil ridiculous amounts of fear in many people, myself included. The environment is full of pressure and you’re walking into a room where people are judging you. You feel like you’re on the back foot as you strive to seek the interviewer’s approval, and any prolonged seconds of silence feels like a lifetime. But you know all of this, right?

If you already have anxiety, adding job interview anxiety on top of this can make this situation seem impossible. However there are things people don’t usually tell you about job interviews. 

You are usually given a checklist of things to do and say, but not many people tell you these things which may help relieve some of your anxiety.     

1. You’re allowed to be nervous, as long as the nerves don’t take over your ability to communicate. There are exercises you can do to help control your nerves. Nerves indicate to your potential employer that you want the job. 
2. You can take notes into the interview, in fact it is often encouraged.  
3. You’re not expected to remember your whole career and life’s achievements off the top of your head, as long as you remember a few of them you’ll be alright. 
4. You probably will forget something – and that’s OK, try not to give yourself a hard time about it. 
5. The interviewer may be as nervous as you. This could be the first time they’ve conducted an interview AND they’ll be under pressure to find the right person for the job.  
6. You don’t have to rush what you are saying, pause, take a breath and collect your thoughts. As awkward as you may feel in that short silence, it’ll be worth it because you won’t be rambling. 
7. You don’t have to present yourself as the perfect package, employers like it when you know your weaknesses and are open and honest about it. 
8. You’ve probably done a better interview than you think you have. 
9. The interview is also about you deciding if you’d like to work for that employer.  

So let’s strip it down to basics, you’re having a chat with a stranger. You have nothing to lose but a lot to gain. If it doesn’t go well, it’s experience. If you don’t get the job, it may be because another candidate had more experience. 

What do you wish people had told you before going for a job interview? Let know in the comments below.