Have you ever felt incredibly stressed during a job interview? If so, you’re not alone. Most people say that interviewing for a job is an overwhelmingly stressful experience. Fortunately, you can come to terms with job interview stress by understanding that a certain amount of stress can actually help you ace the interview; that practicing for your interview can help you maintain a manageable stress level; and that there are some effective responses you can use if your level of stress starts to feel overwhelming.
How to Handle Stress During a Job Interview
Interviewing for a job can be an overwhelmingly stressful experience. Fortunately, you can come to terms with job interview stress by understanding that a certain amount of stress can actually help you ace the interview. But an intense and important interview can create a stress level that results in brain freeze: your mind goes blank, you stutter, or you blush with embarrassment. What to do? Re-gain some confidence and a sense of calm by remembering that you are interviewing the organization just as much as they are interviewing you. Take a breath, take a sip of water, and give yourself some time to think through your responses to questions. Remember that the best defense against experiencing overwhelming stress in a job interview is a good offense — nail down what you want to say about your qualifications ahead of time, and practice, practice, practice. You’ll be better able to manage your stress level, and land that job.