Sitting through an interview, which can already be an intimidating thing, can feel even more intimidating when you mix that with an anxiety disorder. There might not be a magical hack to make your anxiety about this event completely disappear but prepping beforehand will make a huge difference. Whether it’s your first interview ever, or even your third or fourth one, any bit of prep can help.
One of the scariest, most uncomfortable things I’ve done in my entire life was go to an interview. Sure, there are plenty of other things that one might find scarier, but for me… I’ve never experienced anxiety to such an extreme level. My first interview may not have gone so well, but I learned a lot through the experience and I’m here to share that with you.
First things first, super congrats on applying for a job! That’s a victory in and of itself, so make sure you take a moment to celebrate that!
What To Expect
Now, there’s really no telling what the interview will be like or what the person interviewing you might be like, so try your best not to assume anything- especially the worst about either. That may only exacerbate any anxiety you’re already having.
Also, don’t assume that just because I had a bad first experience, or your friend did, or your Aunt Sally and your Uncle Tom did, that you will also have a bad experience. Remember, assuming anything without having the facts is a common mental mistake,
Anyways, more often than not, depending on where you’re interviewing you might be taken to a stock room, the food court, an office, a restaurants dining area, etc. The interviewer will sit you down and they may have your application on hand along, and they will ask you questions relevant to the position you’ve applied for.
Note: Regardless of where you’ve applied, be sure to dress appropriately. You always want to make sure that you don’t look like you’ve just thrown on the first thing you found in your closet.
Some interviews are over quickly, taking only 15 minutes to a half-hour. Some take longer, lasting about an hour or sometimes a little longer. After the interview is over, they will let you know they’ll contact you to inform you of their decision. Sometimes, they might even hire you on the spot!
How To Prepare
Research common interview questions.
A quick google search will bring up a plethora of results. One of the best sites I’ve come across was published by Indeed, who also offers how to answer these questions. You can access that here. After finding the questions you want, or think you’ll be asked, write out your answers and study them.
Make flash cards.
Make flash cards of the questions and practice answering them. You can even set up a mock interview with a family member or a friend. Think of it as studying for a test- although, you don’t want to sound robotic or too stiff when in the actual interview. And don’t be afraid to show them a bit of your pizzazz!
Be sure to practice your breathing exercises.
Practice often and especially on the day of the interview, to ensure you remain as calm and level-headed as possible. Any time you begin to feel like you might freak out or head straight for a panic attack- breathe.
Couple breathing exercises with journaling.
Put your thoughts on paper. Getting them out of your head may help declutter the mess and help you refocus your thoughts. Keep your eye out for any mental mistakes!
Complete the Three Rational Questions.
This technique is used to help you make sense of the mess of thoughts rolling about in your brain. This will allow you to stay rational and dispel any negative thoughts you’re having.
Keep your mind calm.
Try listening to an anxiety podcast, doing a meditation, or listening to soothing music. Pandora has a great selection of calming playlists such as: Native American Flute Radio (one of my faves), Mediation Spa Radio, New Age Ambient Radio, and 8d Relaxium Radio.
Give yourself friendly reminders.
Remind yourself that no matter what happens, your worth isn’t dependent on the outcome of the interview. You are always worthy. You are always brave. You are always strong. You are always smart. You are always valued and valuable.
Remind yourself that the world won’t end if you don’t end up with the result you wanted. When one door closes another one opens. If you don’t get this job, you can still get the next one.
Get a good night’s sleep.
When faced with any anxiety inducing situation, I know sleep tends elude us at all costs, so to avoid being over-tired AND overwhelmed make sure to head to bed as early as you can. Stay off of social media and turn off any distractions. If listening to calming music will help you sleep better, then that’s totally fine.
It’s GO Time
Depending on how early our interview is try getting up a few moments earlier to review your flash cards if you’ve made them or look over your questions/answers. Once again, try to resist the urge to obsessively read over them.
Finally, with all your prep finished, it’s time to SMASH that interview! You totally got this!
You did it! You went to that interview and conquered your fear and it’s time to celebrate! Now, I know that it might have been an overwhelming experience but take a second to acknowledge that you did an amazing and courageous thing.
If you feel like you need to cry, then cry it out! I certainly did after my first interview… and my second and third one.
No matter what, no matter the results, I’m proud of you!
With love and support, Molly
