Dealing with anxiety during an interview
When the stress response is triggered in the human body, one’s reaction is often sweating, a speeding heartbeat, trembling, etc. For many new graduates, this is the instinctive response when entering a job interview, which can compromise performance in said interview and affect mental and physical health. This is an involuntary response. However, how we deal with this is our decision. One can take certain steps to reduce this reaction and learn to act despite it. Some steps one can take are -
Prepare for the interview - When you know that you have all bases covered you will see for yourself that there is no need to be anxious. Prepare practice questions, have family and friends ask them, research the company (to increase your talking points), and set aside time for yourself before the interview to calm yourself down and collect your thoughts. Confidence is the key deterrent against stress.
Avoid rushing - There is nothing worse for an interview than being late and having to run out of the house and be hustling on the way. Your body and mind are then in a state of panic. This is something extremely avoidable and important. Wake up well in time, have a filling breakfast, and a calm morning and be at the interview slightly before time to ensure a peaceful state of mind.
Normalise the nerves - Know that you are not alone. Just take a look at our platform! On GConnection, you will see so many Gen Z job seekers, and it will surprise you how many of them feel the same way. Keep telling yourself that what you are feeling is normal. It is a natural emotion many people face. Take a deep breath, and tell yourself that anticipation is not just nervousness - it is a combination of nervousness and excitement. Reiteration is key. Keep telling yourself that you truly are ready and that this emotion is normal, at one point, you will tackle it.
Self-care - A long-term measure that can be very effective in ensuring you take care of your body. Avoiding caffeine, sleeping well, meditating, exercising and ensuring that you take time for yourself. Once you take care of your physical self and your lifestyle, it is astonishing how much anxiety is taken care of.
Counselling - If these measures do not work, or are less effective than you thought they would be, you may want to seek out help. Counselling sessions help get your emotions out, regulate anxiety and help you in getting a clearer view of how you think. Dr. Archana Passi, a counsellor at the Sanjivini Society for Mental Health said “Going to counselling means asking yourself questions and rationalising your thoughts. Once you are able to do that, you are able to find a way out of the anxiety”.
Bibliography
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