Job Interviews Can Be Terrifying So How Do We Keep Calm and Nail It?

Knees weak, palms are sweaty.

Do you get stressed out at the very thought of a job interview?

Perhaps your heart races, your voice shakes, your face flushes, your stomach turns.

If that sounds like you, you're definitely not alone. 

Job interviews are terrifying to a lot of people. So much so, they will often avoid them at all costs.

But with Gen Z averaging three different positions per decade these days, you can expect to interview for jobs more than ever before.

So how can you remain cool, calm and collected before and during an interview to give yourself the best chance at getting the job?

We enlisted the help of Health and Community Psychologist, Doctor Marny Lishman, to talk us through it.

Why do we get so nervous for job interviews?

Dr Marny says there's often a lot riding on a job interview and that's why we can feel so intimidated by them.

"We want a career, we want the money, the credentials, the experience, we often really want the position—so we pressure ourselves," she says.

"Often our fight or flight response turns on, because of the fear of judgement, fear of rejection and the fear of making a mistake. It's tough."

What can we do before or during an interview to feel the most prepared?

The most important thing to know is that most people find job interviews difficult, so "don't judge yourself harshly for feeling nervous," Dr Marny says.

She does have a few tips though. After all, isn't that what we all came here for?

Before the interview:

• Make sure you have researched the job and the company beforehand.
• Do some sort of ritual before you go into the interview to calm down (it can be deep breathing or exercise).
• Get there early so you don't feel stressed before you go in.

During the interview:

• Whilst people are talking, calmly do some deep breathing.
• Have questions prepared to ask.
• Always remember that an interview is reciprocal—you need to ask questions to see if the job is right for you!

Are there any benefits to putting ourselves through the stress of a job interview?

Dr Marny says that the advantage is, the more you do, "the better you get at it!"

"You could even practice lots of interviews to get yourself desensitised before you go for the job of your dreams," she said.

We've got a bunch of helpful resources to help you find your first job, more tips and tricks to nail an interview and quizzes to narrow down your career options on our website. 

If you're just getting started, check out the Student Edge Passport. It's like the ultimate online resume builder, helping you showcase your hobbies, experience and values to potential employers.