Tips to Cope With Job Interview Anxiety

Tips to Cope With Job Interview Anxiety Social Anxiety Disorder Coping Print Tips for Coping With Job Interview Anxiety By Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder and 7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety. Learn about our editorial policy Arlin Cuncic Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on August 28, 2019 Social Anxiety Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children BraunS / Getty Images Interview anxiety can be an obstacle for those looking for work. For those with  social anxiety disorder (SAD), job interviews can be even more difficult.?? Meeting strangers in a position of authority, talking about yourself, being evaluated and judged on your appearance, demeanor,  and ability to sell yourselfâ€"these are all triggers for social anxiety.   If you  suffer from SAD, it is important to seek formal treatment, such as medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).?? However, there are also strategies that you can use to help alleviate anxiety before an interview. If you have a social anxiety disorder or are simply nervous about a job interview, the following tips may help you to cope with your anxiety. 1. Treat Yourself Well Avoid caffeine, get enough sleep  and exercise regularly.?? Keeping yourself in good health is paramount when facing potentially stressful situations. 2. Visualize Success Find a quiet space where you wont be disturbed, close your eyes and visualize yourself being successful in your interview. Visualizing success is more than just positive thinking; when done correctly, you are preparing your  brain to behave in a certain way.?? This technique is used by elite athletes before competitions to improve performance. 3. Reduce Stressors Reduce stressors unrelated to your actual performance in the interview, such as uncomfortable clothinggetting lostshowing up late Well in advance, choose an outfit that is comfortable and that looks good on you. If you arent familiar with the location of the interview, give yourself plenty of time to find it or do a trial run a day or two before. 4. Do Your Research Being well-prepared is a good anxiety-reliever. Research your potential employer.Prepare answers to common questions. Every bit of preparation that you can do will help to increase your comfort level and make you feel more confident and capable in the  interview. 5. Dont Succumb to Pressure Once in a while, you may be interviewed by someone who grills you to see how you handle stress. Although, as a person with SAD, it may be tempting to spiral into negative automatic thinking, such as He knows I cant handle this job; I should never have applied or They dont really like me; Ill never get the job Stop. If you find yourself in this situation, realize what the interviewer is trying to accomplish and dont let him get you upset. Know that the other candidates have been treated the same way and that it is not a reflection of you or your capabilities. 6. Interview the Interviewer Feel less self-conscious in an interview situation by realizing that interviews are also a chance for you to evaluate your employer.?? You are deciding whether you want to work for an employer just as much as they are deciding whether they want you to come work for them. Try putting yourself in this mindset and see if your focus doesnt change. Ask questions that show you are curious as to how the organization might fit with your goals and ambitions for your career. 7. Release Anxious Energy Anxiety has a way of leaking out even when you think that you have it well-hidden. If you find yourself fidgeting, do something to release anxious energy that will be less noticeable, such as wiggling your toes.?? 8. Take Your Time You dont have to answer questions immediately. Pause before answering and collect your thoughts.??If you worry about drawing a blank during interviews, take notes as everyone talks. This takes the focus off of you and allows you to refer to your notes after a question has been asked. If you start to draw a blank, keep making notes and comment that you want to collect your thoughts before responding. 9. Be Prepared A well-prepared interviewee has an immediate advantage in an interview?? . In addition, being well-prepared and proactive will reduce your  interview anxiety. Bring everything that you think you might need, such as the following: resumecover letterbusiness cardsreferenceslicensescertificationsa pen and notepad 10. Congratulate Yourself Regardless of how you felt that the interview went, congratulate yourself afterward for taking the chance. Do something that you enjoy as a reward. Finally, avoid ruminating about how the interview went or what could have gone better.?? While its important to take note of what went well and how you could improve, dwelling on negative parts of the interview will only sap your confidence. Research on Interview Anxiety In a 2015 study of 82 Chinese individuals, it was found that strategies involving reappraisal and acceptance were more effective to regulate anxiety than suppression during a simulated job interview.?? This indicates that learning to accept you will be anxious, and reframe anxiety in your mind, will be more helpful than trying to ignore the fact you are anxious. A 2011 study investigated the effectiveness of using virtual reality (VR)  to improve job interview skills, reduce fears, and increase confidence about job interviews. In a small sample of 10 individuals, it was found that anxiety lessened through the use of the VR program.?? Features such as ongoing feedback and being able to review a transcript of the interview were cited as helpful.   It can be envisioned that in the future, VR programs such as this one may help those with a social anxiety disorder who have severe anxiety about job interviews. A Word From Verywell If youve got interview anxiety and cant seem to manage to get through a job interview, it could be that you require something more than a bit of self-help, such as treatment in the form of medication or therapy. Meet with your doctor to discuss your symptoms and devise a plan based on the best course of action for your situation.