Top Tips for Staying Calm in an Interview

You’re starting a job interview for a tech role in five minutes but you feel like a nervous wreck – dry mouth and sweaty hands included. If you’ve ever found yourself in this position, you’re not alone!

Job interview nerves can strike at any career stage, whether you’re a Project Manager, a mid-career Engineer or just starting out as a Developer. Being under the spotlight for up to an hour while a stranger asks questions can push us out of our comfort zones.

It’s perfectly natural to feel a little nervous before a job interview, but there are effective ways to keep your jitters at bay and do your best. Read on for our practical job interview tips to make the experience a success.

Do Pre-Interview Homework

Adequate preparation before a job interview is the best way to increase your confidence and stay relaxed and focused. Research the company and confirm the names of the interviewees.

Digging a little to learn more about the business will help demonstrate your interest in the position. What can you glean from the employer’s online presence? What is the company culture like? What transformation projects are in play?

If you’ve signed up with a technology and digital recruitment agency, your recruiter can provide you with job interview tips tailored to the role.

Sleep Well and Breathe Easy

Being well-rested is a sometimes underrated but critical aspect of managing job interview nerves. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep before the interview, so you’re well-prepared physically and mentally. It can be tempting to stay up late to do last-minute preparation, but you’ll likely find prioritising sleep is more beneficial.

Deep breathing is another simple but effective way to calm the fight-or-flight response. Before the interview, take several slow, deep breaths to help slow your heart rate and reduce anxiety. If you find your voice ‘tightens’ when you’re nervous, taking deep breaths during the interview can help loosen your throat and chest muscles when speaking.

Don’t Forget Body Language

A few other ‘hacks’ can help you physically relax and make your body language reflect a calm mental state. Using body language to appear relaxed can also reduce the potential for distracting your interviewer.

To avoid fidgeting, aim to keep your hands and feet still. Pausing before you answer each question can help you to gather your thoughts and stay calm. Also, keeping a bottle of water nearby is a good way to help you pause for a moment by taking a sip.

Don’t forget to smile! In a stressful situation, smiling can help you lower your heart rate, as research has shown.

Give Yourself Buffer Time

Arriving early to the interview will help you feel calmer and in control. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the location so you’re not rushing and feeling flustered. Before the day of the interview, look up the employer’s location on a map and confirm the best route, allowing for potential traffic or public transport delays.

Arriving ten minutes before the scheduled time is sensible, but don’t arrive too early as a long wait could end up making you nervous!

Dress for Success

Dressing appropriately for the interview can help you feel more confident and professional, which can keep job interview nerves at bay. Make sure your outfit is clean, pressed, and appropriate for the job you’re applying for.

If you have any doubts about the dress code, contact the person who has organised your interview and ask them. You may feel a little out of place – and more nervous as a result – if you’re the only person wearing a suit while everyone else is wearing jeans and vice versa!

Staying Grounded and Positive

Remember that nerves are natural, and it’s okay to feel a little anxious before an interview. The key is to harness the adrenalin and use it to your advantage. Research, preparation and being mindful of your body and physical presence can help you feel grounded and make a positive impression.

Should an interview not be a success, don’t focus on the outcome. Instead, treat it as a learning experience that can help you do better next time. Job interviews are a fact of life for all professionals, so set continuous improvement as your main goal. By adopting a positive mindset, you can shift from viewing a job interview with anxiety to seeing it as a challenge you can rise to.

Tailored Job Interview Tips

For job interview tips tailored to you, contact our team of Technology and Digital recruitment specialists at Emanate Technology.

Our deep industry expertise enables us to offer tailored advice to candidates and connect them with the best IT jobs in Australia. Get in touch with our team in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra or Melbourne today.