You've got an interview coming up and you're starting to feel the nerves kick in. It's totally normal to feel anxious - after all, this could be a life-changing opportunity. But arriving to the interview feeling overly stressed will only hurt your chances. You need to find ways to relax and calm your mind so you can focus and be your charming self.
The good news is there are some simple techniques you can use to chill out before the big day. Doing a little pre-interview ritual to unwind will help shift your mindset from nervous wreck to cool as a cucumber. In just 15-30 minutes, you can reset your mental state and walk into that interview exuding a confidence that will make you a top candidate. So take a few deep breaths and read on to learn four easy ways to relax before your interview.
Take Deep Breaths
Take Deep Breaths
Feeling the butterflies fluttering in your belly? Deep breathing is one of the simplest ways to calm your nerves before an interview.
Find a quiet place and sit up straight. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Inhale slowly through your nose so your belly expands, and exhale through your mouth.
Aim for 6-10 breaths per minute. Breathe in and out, nice and slow. This helps lower your heart rate and blood pressure, releasing tension.
Picture your breath moving in and out like ocean waves. Keep your mind focused on the rhythm of your breath. If other thoughts enter your mind, gently bring your focus back to your breathing.
Do this for 5 to 10 minutes before your interview. You'll feel more centered and present in the moment. Your mind and body will be primed for the experience ahead.
Breathing is free, natural and instantly calming. Use this simple technique anytime you feel stressed or anxious. Combined with positive visualization, deep breathing helps shift your mindset from nervousness to confidence and poise. You've got this! Now go in there and wow them.
Remember, staying relaxed and focused is key. Take a few more deep breaths, smile, make eye contact and be your authentic self. You're well prepared and the right opportunity is waiting for you. Believe in yourself and the rest will flow.
Visualize Success
Visualizing yourself succeeding at your interview can help calm your nerves. Take a few minutes to do the following:
Close your eyes and picture yourself walking into the interview with confidence. See yourself greeting the interviewer with a smile, making eye contact, and giving a firm handshake.
Envision yourself answering questions eloquently and enthusiastically. Hear yourself speaking clearly about your relevant experience, skills, and passion for the work. Feel the excitement and passion in your responses.
Imagine the interviewer smiling, nodding and engaged in your conversation. See them reacting positively to your answers. Picture them wrapping up the interview by saying they were very impressed with your experience and expertise.
Finally, see yourself after the interview feeling a sense of accomplishment and pride in how well it went. Let that feeling of success wash over you and boost your confidence.
When you open your eyes, take a deep breath and smile. You've already envisioned achieving success, now you just have to go out and do it! Preparing in this way helps you feel more at ease so you can focus on showcasing your qualifications. You've got this, just remember to breathe and be your amazing self. The job is yours for the taking!
With the power of positive thinking and visualization on your side, you'll walk into that interview ready to shine. Success is within your grasp, so reach out and make it happen! You deserve this opportunity, now go get it.
Do Light Exercise
3. Do Light Exercise
Before your interview, do some light exercise like going for a short walk or doing some gentle yoga. Exercise releases endorphins that act as natural mood boosters and stress relievers. Even just 20 to 30 minutes of light movement can help calm your nerves and shift your mindset.
Take a stroll around the block. Walking is a great way to release pent up energy and anxiety. As you walk, focus on your breathing and the sensations in your body. Notice the warmth of the sun, the sounds around you, and the feeling of the ground beneath your feet. This can help quiet your worried mind.
Do some simple yoga poses. Gentle yoga is very calming for the nervous system. Try seated twists, cat/cow poses, standing forward folds, and bridge pose. As you move through the postures, breathe slowly and deeply. Yoga helps create awareness and connection between your body and mind.
Jumping jacks or jumping rope. If you have access to space for a quick cardio burst, doing some light jumping jacks, jumping rope, or jogging in place can provide an energizing release for your nerves. Start slowly and build up your speed and intensity over just 2 to 3 minutes. This pumps oxygenated blood throughout your body and brain, producing a sense of calm and clarity.
Light exercise releases feel-good hormones, boosts blood flow, and helps shift your mind from constant worrying to focus and presence. Even taking a quick walk around the block or doing a few gentle yoga poses can help you feel more centered and grounded before your interview. Give one of these light activities a try and notice how much calmer and more confident you feel. Your interview will go more smoothly as a result!
Listen to Calming Music
4. Listen to Calming Music
Music is a great way to relax your mind and calm your nerves. Put on some gentle, instrumental music without lyrics. Soft classical music, jazz, ambient electronica or nature sounds work well. Slow instrumentals, piano solos, and acoustic guitar are soothing options.
Turn on your playlist 30 minutes before the interview to give yourself time to unwind. Focus on the music and take some deep breaths. This can help shift your mind from a stressful state to a more relaxed, centered one.
If you don't have a calming playlist on hand, try an internet radio station like Calm Radio, Relax Melodies or Rainy Mood. They offer channels with nature sounds, soft instrumentals and ambient music. Find an option you like and immerse yourself in the relaxing tones.
You might also try a meditation app with relaxing music and timed breathing exercises. Many offer free trials and short sessions (5-10 minutes) which is perfect pre-interview. Close your eyes while listening to release any tension.
Avoid anything with a heavy beat, lyrics or an energetic tone. The point is to unwind your mind and body, not pump yourself up. Keep the volume low and be fully present with the music. Take this time to release any negative or anxious thoughts. Focus on being in the moment.
Listening to calming music is an easy way to shift into a relaxed state of mind before your interview. Turn on your favorite chill playlist, close your eyes and breathe. Feel the tension melt away as the soothing sounds fill the space around you. In just 30 minutes, you'll feel centered and ready to shine in your interview.
Review Your Qualifications
One of the best ways to feel more at ease before your interview is to review your qualifications for the role. Go over your resume and cover letter and remind yourself of your relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments.
Experience
Think about how your previous jobs, internships, volunteer work, and education have prepared you for this position. Have stories and examples ready to share that demonstrate how you gained valuable experience that would benefit the company. Focus on quantifiable results and the impact you made.
Key Skills
Make a list of the top skills and strengths required for the job and match them to your own key skills and strengths. Be prepared to give specific examples of times you have utilized these skills. Some possibilities could include:
-Communication: Public speaking, client relations, teamwork.
-Problem-solving: Conflict resolution, project management, decision making.
-Leadership: Delegating, motivating and mentoring, organizational change.
-Technical: Software proficiency, data analysis, design skills.
Accomplishments
Review meaningful accomplishments that would impress your interviewer. Have metrics and anecdotes ready to bring these wins to life. Some types of accomplishments could be:
-Increased sales, profits or operational efficiency.
-Launched a new product, program or service.
-Improved customer satisfaction scores.
-Won awards or received special recognition.
-Recruited, coached and developed high-performing teams.
Reminding yourself of your qualifications will boost your confidence for your interview. You have a proven track record of success and the experience to excel in this new role. With preparation and practice, you will be able to articulate your relevant qualifications clearly and convincingly to your interviewer. You've got this!
Conclusion
So there you have it, four easy ways to relax before your big interview. Take a few deep breaths, go for a quick walk outside, do some light exercise like yoga, or simply listen to calming music. Any of these techniques can help shift your mind and body into a state of relaxation. Remember, being a little nervous is normal and even helpful - it means you care about this opportunity. But don't let those nerves sabotage you. Take a few minutes for yourself, unwind, and go into that interview feeling confident and focused. You've got this! Now go out there and show them what you're made of. The job is yours for the taking.
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