How to relax before an interview: how to calm down before an interview

You can practice pre-planned activities for calming your nerves before an interview. The way you control the regular stress that appears hours and minutes before interview can improve significantly your performance.
Here are some suggested ‘things to do before an interview’ in addition to things we should not do (i.e. don’ts):

1 Day before an interview – the evening before your job

interview

• Preparations before interview: Prepare a list of your achievements to remind you of how great you are. Review the related frequently asked job interview questions and answers.
• Make your final job interview test: Pretend that you are sitting in the interview room and actually performing. You know how professional you are. Practice your sales pitch one last time.
• Imagine: Think about the traveling route that you are going to drive tomorrow. See yourself in the interview room, hear yourself speaking with confidence.

The night before the interview

• Get enough sleep – at least 8 hours. Make sure that you wake up physically prepared and mentally refreshed.

The interview day: Morning or 3-4 hours before the

interview

• Dress for success: power-dressing (i.e. dress code factor) can help boosting up your confidence. It also impresses your interviewer.
• Eat wisely: don’t full yourself with too much food for energy reserve. Eat as you eat regularly.
• Document Check: check your folder one last time. Check (and read) documents like resume and job description to have it fresh in your mind.
• Needless to say: Don’t drink alcohol before interview, don’t smoke 2 hours before the interview and don’t take medications/pills before interview. It smells and it feels.
• Prayer before an interview: if a pray helps you to relax and calm nerves so pray.

Traveling to the interview

• Arrive early at your job interview and spend some time to freshen up. You don’t want to be caught in a traffic jam with no spare time left.
• Mind the time before the interview – make sure to arrive 30-45 minutes so you’ll have enough time to arrange your thoughts and relax.
• Listen to music: what sort of music do you like – pop, power songs, relaxing songs? Turn on the radio and select your favorite radio station.
• Fresh air: Blast the air conditioner (or open the window) for fresh and crisp air. It will awaken your senses

Car parking or 30 minutes before your job interview

• Positive thinking and ‘happy thoughts’: no time for self-doubts. All thoughts should be positive. Close your eyes and pretend to feel happy and you feel happy – that’s the formula.
• Breathing: breathe for four counts and hold your breath for four counts.
• Visualize your activities before actually performing them: athletes use this tactic to concentrate on their mission. Before the interview, see yourself shaking hands, smiling, speaking, making eye contact and genrally being comfortable with yourself – If you think it, it will happen.

Go into the building

• Restroom check: first thing to do, getting into the interview building is going to the restroom. Wash your face, wash your hands and smile to the mirror. Take your time.
• Drink fresh water: no Coke.
• Cell phone: turn off your cell phone.
• Take slow/deep breaths: take deliberate and controlled breaths to regulate the amount of oxygen in your body – it helps your mind focus better.
Good Luck!!