If you get nervous during a job interview, you are not alone. You are in the overwhelming majority. According to a 2018 study, roughly 93 per cent of Americans get nervous during job interviews. Getting the interview jitters is such a familiar feeling that, indeed, has resources online to help people relax and feel calm before meeting prospective employers.
Although this sizeable per cent, is understandable as to why most people get nervous. It can be a vulnerable experience to sit opposite a stranger and try to convince them that you are the best fit for the position. It can be a profusion of pressure knowing that there are likely many other candidates interviewing for the same job. However, you don’t have to get nervous and, at the minimum, you can lean into your strengths and learn how to manage your fears to prepare for that next important interview.
Why people get nervous during job interviews
Before you can overcome the anxiety, you must understand why most people get nervous. As mentioned above, it can be challenging to put yourself out there. There can be a great deal at stake, and securing an interview can be a huge accomplishment just in itself. After all, this is your livelihood and, most likely a job that will help you advance your career.
It is also natural to get nervous knowing you might not be the chosen candidate even after you’ve worked to showcase your best self. Sometimes, you may even feel uneasy because of your imposter syndrome. Second guessing if you are genuinely qualified for the job even when your experience aligns with the job description is natural, and you are certainly not alone.
How to overcome the fear
The same study reported 41 per cent of people worry they won’t be able to answer a difficult question during a job interview. Although difficult questions are meant to show whether a candidate is the right fit for the job, it is also often about confidence and an opportunity to be honest with the interviewer. It is okay to take your time and think thoroughly through the question before answering. Another way to feel prepared going into an interview is to look up difficult questions and do a mock interview with someone. Although over 90 per cent of people get nervous, only about 30 per cent prepare to do a mock interview, according to the same study.
If you still get nervous even though you have done everything above, do not worry. I also used to get anxious during interviews until I became the interviewer myself. Before finishing my Bachelor of Public Relations degree, I was a hiring manager in retail. Although this industry differs from what most of our readers will venture into for their co-ops and future careers, the mechanics are still the same. At the end of the day, the interviewer is just a person like you. And I am even willing to bet some of them are even nervous and feel the pressure to hire the right candidate. From my experience, sitting across from a stranger asking them questions about their job experience, and pretending you know what you are doing can be equally scary.
I recently came across a post on LinkedIn where a woman used to get nervous in job interviews. Then one day when she came home from work, she saw her partner loading the dishwasher. At that moment, she realized that all the people she felt intimidated by in interviews most likely came home to fill their dishwashers. It put into perspective for her that hiring managers are just people trying to get through the day’s work. It is similar to the old advice in public speaking to pretend everyone in the audience is sitting in their underwear. Humanize the person sitting across from you.
Further recommendations
If you have gotten this far in the article and none of this has been helpful, I recommend you check out these resources to help overcome your fear.
- How to relax before a job interview
- 20 tips on how to not be nervous at an interview
- 16 tips for overcoming job interview anxiety
Why it is okay to be a little nervous
In truth, it is good to be a little nervous about your job interview. If you are not scared, then you don’t want the job. Feeling a little anxious before a job interview means you care about what’s at stake and the impression you make. It also likely means you have taken the time to prepare and research to showcase your best skills during the exchange. Ultimately putting yourself out there for something you may not get can be scary, but don’t let it shake your confidence. All you can do is show up prepared with confidence and try your best. If you don’t get the job, there are many more opportunities out there, and this one has only given practice for the next. And remember, you are not the only one; over 90 per cent of people feel anxious. And 100 per cent of interviewers are just people.
By: Emily Brown, Editor-in-Chief
