Handling interview nerves
Nerves are normal Being nervous isn’t a bad thing. It doesn’t mean you’re incapable. It’s just an indication that something matters to you. Nervous people get hired all of the time. Reframe the interview process I know you need the job, but understand that to present the best version of yourself in the interview, you need to be okay with not getting the job. You’ll get in your own way if you’re held hostage by the outcome. This paradox will bring out your most authentic self in the interview and lead you to opportunities that are actually aligned with who you are and what you want. Remove the fear Feeling a bit nervous is a good thing. Problems start to arise if you are at the point of throwing up or having the shakes. So if you are at a breaking point, think about it like this: at its root, nervousness exists because you have created consequences. This is the source of your fear. If there are no consequences, fear does not exist. Think about the consequence you have created in your mind: _“If I mess up, I won’t get the job.” _ The fact that you got called for the interview means you will get called for other interviews. Even in your ‘perceived’ worst-case scenario, where you can’t answer a single interview question, it doesn’t matter. Because you can just line up another interview. There are so many jobs out there. Employers are in desperate need of people like you. Messing up a question here and there happens. It’s normal. But the entire opportunity doesn’t rely on any one answer. You can recover. Nervous, imperfect candidates get hired all of the time. Ask for a moment to think if you need it. Ask for clarification. Pause before you answer. ‘And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.’ — John Steinbeck Slow it down Speak at 0.75% speed. You may be excited. Nervous. We tend to talk very fast in those states. Slow it down. Speaking slower shows you’re in control. That you are confident. You’re not a robot We can get so concerned about only saying the right thing that we end up becoming robotic. A genuine connection with the hiring manager can only be created by showing you are human. So don’t be worried about admitting your shortcomings or mistakes. We’ve all gone through it. What’s more important is to talk about how these valuable lessons will help you do the job you’re applying for. If you trip up on an answer, acknowledge it. Show you are self-aware. Trying to pretend it didn’t happen shows a lack of self-awareness. Then simply ask can you start again. Expect awkward moments Interviews are just like a first date. So expect awkwardness. Many interviewers will be introverted. Many will not be trained to interview. They might be just as nervous as you. If things feel tense at the start, it’s perfectly normal. Just roll with it. You’ll find your groove. Trust yourself Yes, you need a job, but your goal in the interview is to learn more about the role and determine if YOU want it. Go into the interview with your eyes wide open. Remember that the company is the one with the problem. That’s why they called you. They want to hire you; they don’t want to catch you out. They need you. They already believe you can do the job based on what they read on your CV. You’re just going in there to have a conversation about how you can help solve their problems. Reps reps reps The more interviews you do, the less nerves you’ll have. So keep lining up interviews. Say yes to as many as you reasonably can, even ones you’re only half interested in – just for practice. The goal is to get comfortable in that environment. The more reps you get in, the more “normal” the interview will feel. While you’re waiting for your first interview, recreate the interview environment by doing a mock interview. You’ll feel much more comfortable on game day if you’ve already done a realistic run-through. Ask a friend or family member to sit in and play interviewer if possible. It’s also helpful to record yourself and watch it back. You’ll spot things you can tighten up (rambling, filler words, lack of eye contact, etc.).How to handle a question about an area you don’t have experience in
First of all, don’t lie or get defensive. Look at the areas where you lack experience and plan how to address those areas. Talk about how you would do it. Talk about your willingness to learn. Talk about the steps you are taking to fill the gaps. Explain that you don’t have exact experience, but make a comparison to something in your background that is similar or something that will help you overcome the lack of experience, and express your interest in learning the skill. Show the interviewer evidence of accomplishments that demonstrate how you will be able to learn the new task or skill. To really drive home your answer, you can also explain:- Why you’re looking to step up and why you’re ready (e.g., you’re an ambitious professional who is seeking growth).
- How you are working on filling the skills gap. Point out any courses or professional training you’ve undertaken to ease your transition into the role. The more you invest in your own development, the more likely employers are to invest in you.