Pre-Interview Blues

You’re in the car in your pressed suit and jacket. You’ve got a copy of your resume, your portfolio, a coffee to fight the fatigue and a shaking steering wheel due to shaking hands. Your nerves are shot, you might regurgitate all the coffee you downed and you’re so nervous you can’t even think straight. Welcome to the pre-interview blues.

The fact that you’re this nervous makes you even more nervous. So, what can you do? Firstly, take a deep breath—no one wants to interview a corpse. Secondly, and this really works, think about all the positives in your life. Everything that’s going really great for you right now. This will at least bring a smile to your face, if nothing else. But really think about the things that make you happy.

Next, focus on what you’re really good at. Think about the characteristics that make you you, and the ones that make you good at what you do. For example, are you a great listener which gives you the ability to read between the lines and start on a project before it’s even handed to you? Do you have to best memory ever and therefore able to handle attention to detail diligently? Try to think of anything, small or large, that you’re good at.

Conjuring up all the positive things in your life will calm you down, and you’ll exude self-confidence. Psyching yourself up for the interview will not only put you in a better mood but will also serve as a last minute practice opportunity to remind yourself of how awesome you are.