Overcoming Stage Fright at Interview
Some people breeze through interview with calm confidence, but if you are like the majority of candidates, you will have some jitters, particularly if you are not experienced in presenting in public forums, or are not skilled in the art of ‘self’ promotion. Below I have listed my top four tips in reducing stress.
Positive Affirmations
Affirmations are based on the theory that every thought has an impact on actions. If you believe you are going to ‘stuff the interview up’ then this becomes a reality. If you believe you are going to be successful, then this too becomes a reality. Obviously it is far more complex than this and there are countless books and research papers on this subject area based on how the mind works consciously and subconsciously.
Put simply, affirmations are a way to help re-program the mind in which your start to believe in yourself, through positive statements and putting your intentions in writing to help you to focus on a goal. “Affirmations imprint thought upon the subconscious mind” says behavioural psychologist and educator Gene Schirmer. “By nature the subconscious mind accepts everything it’s told by the conscious mind and services as an automatic pilot in guiding our conscious behaviour, sharpening focus and reinforcing commitment”.
As a candidate you can use affirmation statements to help you achieve your goal. Prior to your job interview, write an affirmation statement to bring your objective into focus. For example:
- ‘My unique qualifications and solid experience have prepared me to be the new Team Leader at DIAC’
- ‘I will perform like a star in the interview’
- I’m the perfect person for the role and I will get this job’.
Challenge irrational thoughts
Sometimes we get so worked up about the interview that it becomes a ‘do or die experience’, where we get so nervous and stressed about the process and the need to succeed that we become almost irrational. Yes this interview is important, (today and perhaps this week) but keep it in perspective. It might be emotionally difficult, but if you don’t get the job, you won’t literally starve to death here in Australia, there will be other opportunities around the corner, and the more pragmatic you are about the process, the more likely it is that you will perform better in the interview.
Reduce anxiety by being prepared
If you are prepared, you are more likely to perform better at interview and in turn this will reduce stress during the interview.
Bach Rescue Remedy
Some of my clients ‘swear’ by Bach’s Rescue Remedy, which is a homeopathic formula designed to calm the most frazzled person. Whether it is a placebo, or it genuinely works, I cannot comment, but I know that it has got some of my clients through some very stressful interview situations.
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