Pamper Yourself And Prioritize Self
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, you probably dont schedule enough time off for your own well-being. You may spend your days in all sorts of stressful situations, but never prioritize taking time out to reduce stress. So the cycle of overthinking continues. And so do the negative effects. The anxiety, the sense that something is wrong in life, the worry that you made a wrong decision.
To break this cycle and get your mind going in the right direction, simply take some time to bring a little joy back into your life. Pamper yourself. Getaway with friends to a favorite retreat spot. Try out that new hobby youve been dreaming about. Enjoy that spa day youve been craving. The keyword here is ENJOY.
Scheduling time for these positive life experiences is one of the easiest ways to stop overthinking.
Staying Calm Before The Interview
5. Anticipate the interview questions
Putting your mind at ease before an interview is essential, so make sure you are ready to face whatever questions they might throw at you and are prepared to talk about yourself positively. A lack of prep is likely to increase your natural apprehension about the event itself and make nerves harder to overcome.
6. Clear your head
Before the interview begins, take as much time as you can to gather your thoughts and work with your body, not against it. If you have the opportunity, taking a short stroll around the block can be immensely helpful, as sitting still will give you time to stew and will not provide the hit of endorphins that light exercise can deliver to quell any qualms.
7. Avoid stimulants
What you eat and drink before an interview plays a big part in how your nerves manifest themselves. Steer clear of coffee and other caffeinated drinks, as these will make you more likely to appear shaky and unable to concentrate. Drink water, but make sure that you enter the interview room with an empty bladder to avoid distraction.
8. Chew gum
Some experts advise that chewing a stick of gum can smooth out any jangling nerves, but remember to dispose of it discretely well before you encounter anyone in your potential place of employment, as this is not a good look for a first meeting.
9. Repeat confidence-boosting mantras
Boost Your Time Away From Work
Strive to create a life filled with relationships, events, and activities outside of work that bring you joy, peace, and happiness, Kerfoot recommends. She goes on to explain that a fulfilling life outside of work can:
- minimize the impact of that work-related stress
- build up your resilience in times of stress
- crowd out work-related thoughts
To get started, consider the people, places, and pastimes that bring you joy and calm. How can you add them to your days?
If youre dealing with workplace anxiety, professional support can be incredibly helpful.
How do you know when help from a therapist might have benefit?
Theres no right or wrong time to connect with a therapist, Palacios says, so this decision will be unique to everyone.
In general, however, she recommends seeking professional help when you want your life to be different but you havent found it possible to make changes on your own.
Specifically, Palacios says, this could mean you:
- worry so much you cant function, meet deadlines, or complete tasks
- find it difficult to fall or stay asleep
- feel nervous, edgy, and unlike yourself
- find your usual coping strategies no longer help
- need to take more time off than usual and begin planning your next days off as soon as you return to work
A therapist can offer support with:
- pinpointing triggers
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Mindfulness Sounds Fake But Ok
If youre not sure how to practice mindfulness, try these mindfulness tricks for anxiety.
Take really good care: Get plenty of sleep and be sure to eat a nutritious breakfast that can fuel you for the long term. Consider something low in sugar and carbs to avoid a crash in energy later in the day! In fact, if you can do it, skip the cup of coffee right before the interview. Think of a cup of coffee as a treat for yourself after the interview is over.
Pack an essential oil with you, like lavender, which
Studies show that listening to music prior to a standardized stressor can help the nervous system recover faster, as well as the psychological stress response. Consider crafting a pump-up playlist, or listen to music that helps to soothe you as you drive or commute to the interview.
Try to focus on a positive mantra. Youve done the work. You deserve this job. Remind yourself of that.
Aromatherapy And Essential Oils
Essential oils, the extract from plants, have been used for thousands of years to treat a number of conditions, including anxiety. Essential oils activate certain areas of your brain and release feel-good chemicals such as serotonin. They have been found to ease symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression, improve mood, and improve sleep.
Recommended use includes diffusing, inhalation, or topical treatment which can aid with anxiety symptoms. When diffusing an essential oil or essential oil blend you will need an essential oil diffuser to fill your space with the desired scent. Inhalation is used by deeply smelling the essential oil straight from the bottle or by applying a drop or two of the oil on something such as a diffuser pad or lava bead that is connected to a bracelet, necklace, or even keychain. You can also place a drop or two of essential oil into your hands, rub them together, then cup your hands and take a few deep inhalations to get the desired effect.
You should be sure that the essential oils you use are pure oils and not mixed with chemicals. Some good brands to use include: Mountain Rose Herbs, Plant Therapy, Young Living, Doterra. You can do your own research to find a brand that will best work for you and your budget. Remember that a bottle of essential oil will last a long time since you typically use only a few drops at a time.
Essential oils that are great for treating anxiety include:
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Ways To Shake Off Your Job Interview Anxiety
- Post authorBy Guest
Nervesthey affect the best of us.
Even politicians, big-shot business professionals, and other world leaders have experienced some form of anxiety and stress in their lifetime so dont beat yourself up too much if you feel extremely nervous before or during a job interview. Its completely normal. But that doesnt mean that you have to let your nerves be all-consumingafter all, you could jeopardize your chances of employment if youre too jittery.
That said there are several things you can do to shake off any pre-interview anxiety and land your dream job. To learn the top 5, continue reading below.
Golden Rules To Overcome Interview Nerves Forever
To help calm your nerves, follow these overarching guidelines which have been found to be highly effective.
15. Proper Preparation
It is facing the unknown that instils anxiety. If we are about to be thrust in front of many strangers to deliver a speech we should likely feel more trepidation than if we had to give that same speech in front of a group of friends. We know subconsciously that we can expect a favourable and forgiving response from friends, but with strangers we cannot tell what the result might be. Thus a scenario about which we have prior knowledge or is familiar is easier to deal with.
The key to making an unfamiliar situation like the interview into a familiar one is to prepare effectively and this includes:
- Research the recruiting company
- Complete the MPOWER 6 step plan to smart preparation
- Practice answering questions using the Answer Builder and Interview Me modules in InterviewGold
- If feasible, visit the offices where the interview will be held
- Carry out a mock interview at home
- Make sure you have the right clothes and accessories to make a great first impression
- Ensure you have all the right tools and information ready for the big day
All of these will help you prepare mentally and help you feel that you are coming home when you arrive at the interview.
16. Avoid Rushing Arrive Calm
17. Use Body Language
18. Positive Mental Messaging
19. Use the AWARE technique for anxiety
A:W:A:R:E:
20. Deep breathing for relaxation
Try this simple exercise
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Keep Pursuing Other Possibilities
If youre overanalyzing, it may be because the interview was for either your dream jobor the only career possibility you have on your radar right now. And that puts a whole lot of pressure on you to nail the interview.
Instead of dwelling on that interview as a make-or-break opportunity, get right back into job hunting and start looking for more open positions that interest you. If you have several viable options going at any given time, youll feel much more confident about your prospectsand less likely to keep analyzing every word in that one interview.
Its perfectly normal to review and learn from an interviewbut taking that too far can distract you from your goal of getting a job and, instead, cause a whole lot of stress and anxiety. Take the necessary steps to move past this interview, and youll be even stronger for the next one.
Always Be Careful About What You Are Having To Drink Or Eat Right Before An Important Job Interview
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It is best to avoid caffeine right before an interview as it might fuel up your interview anxiety and it is not a good idea to have any alcoholic drink too right at the brink of an interview even though you might think that it will calm you down.
If you are an alcoholic, try other non-alcoholic fermented beverages. Check our Best Kombucha for anxiety.
Always try to eat something light so that you remain light headed and your stomach is not making sounds during the interview process.
Whereas if you eat heavily right before the interview, it can make you feel tired and sleepy so it is best to eat moderately and also make sure to check the mirror so that you are looking neat and clean.
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Tackle That Interview Anxiety Head
Its impossible not to feel a level of anxiety and nervousness before a job interview, and even though anxiety can sometimes be motivational and give you a boost of energy, it can also cause your interview to go bad.
So use these helpful tips to stay calm and collected, and if that overwhelming feeling comes over you, stop, breathe, and center yourself. You can do it!
Another Way To Reduce Stress And Anxiety Is To Get Outside Of Yourself And Do Not Be Self
Interview Anxiety most of the time causes us to be more self-focused and we stop considering the things around us which can often make us lose our focus.
Make it a habit of yours to try focusing on others and try being empathic with other people around you.
When you are going for an interview, try to greet the receptionist with a nice smile, ask them how their day is going along, meet your interviewer with a smile and do ask them about their day.
Try to remember the names of the person who is telling you and pay attention to them when they are talking with you.
Try to engage with others in discussions and generally talk as much as you can.
11. Another way to release interview anxiety is by practicing how you can redirect questions, there might be a way for you to control the interview by helping the interviewer in choosing questions in accordance with your preparation by answering in such a way that it gives the examiner the option to push another supplementary question in or by redirecting the direction of the interview through your answers towards the questions you want the interviewer to ask you.
This all comes down to how well you are prepared for the interview and how well you are feeling good about it.
There is a high chance that you will always feel interview anxiety right before an important job interview which is not necessarily a bad thing at all.
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Never Good Enough: How To Use Perfectionism To Your Advantage Without Letting It Ruin Your Life
In this book, the Author, Dr. Basco, helps you understand why you feel the need to attain perfection in every little thing and shows you how to make the best of your perfectionism. It is also filled with practical advice, encouragement, and valuable tools for self-discovery.
If you feel that no matter how hard you try, it is never good enough, or you spend several hours trying to get things exactly right, this is the book for you. Being a perfectionist comes with multiple advantages, although having extremely high standards for yourself and others will leave you feeling down when those expectations are unmet.
This book explains how uncontrolled perfectionism can lead to depression, anxiety, fear of failure, and failed relationships. In addition, it teaches readers to stop the tussle with themselves and others, evaluate performances normally, and choose peace of mind over perfection.
Managing Nerves And Anxiety
It’s OK to feel nervous or anxious about a job interview. It shows that you care.
Sometimes feeling nervous or anxious can make you feel shaky or forget what you’re going to say. But remember that the person interviewing you might also be nervous. They know people get anxious at job interviews. So they’ll see past your nerves if you can answer their questions.
You may have heard people say to fake your confidence. Acting confident can be hard if you feel nervous or anxious. There are small things you can try to seem confident, be yourself and keep your nerves under control.
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Do A Mock Interview With Someone Who Has Talked The Talk And Walked The Walk
Once you identify your needs improvement questions, write down your ideal answers and practice them. When youre ready, verbally share the response with a trusted friend or mentor and listen to their feedback. Ensure your responses come across as well-thought-out, genuine responses and not canned. Practicing in advance will give you a solid reference point that you can confidently build upon when you encounter the question again.
Mock interviews are one of the most underutilized, yet highly beneficial, techniques that you can use to improve your interview skills. If you can find someone in the industry who currently holds your ideal position, or someone who has held the role in the past, you are in for an extra treat!
The person youre meeting with doesnt have to work for the same organization, but he or she should understand the intricacies of the role you are seeking. Conducting mock interviews with people who have interviewed for similar positions and have also performed in a similar role is a great way to gain insight into what you can do to really awe the next employer. Encourage your mock interviewer to ask you the hard questions. Discuss common problems within that specific industry or role and possible solutions an organization might seek. Brainstorm ways in which you have previously achieved similar goals and run it by your mock interviewer to see if it aligns with what a potential employer is looking for.
Until next time, stand out & do good!
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4. Identify your talking points.
Being nervous before an interview is normal, and its a sign that you care about the outcome! The best thing you can do to ease your anxiety is to be prepared. Print out any materials you may need, pick out your outfit and know your talking points ahead of time. If youre interviewing remotely, ensure you are comfortable with the tech being used. This will help you avoid any day-of worries. – Larry Dolinko, The Execu|Search Group
5. Practice storytelling.
Stay positive, and dont doubt your abilities. Be prepared, as a lack of preparedness can exacerbate your confidence and nerves. Practicing storytellingthe ability to tell someone about your experience will help you get comfortable. Stay calm and try slow, focused deep-breathing exercises. Warm up your voice, and practice tongue twisters to improve articulation. – Jacqlyn Nedvin, Autism Speaks Inc.
6. View yourself as the CEO of your career.
During your preparation, worry less about what people are going to ask and focus more on what you are going to share. Yes, it is a Catch-22. Ultimately, only you know and can tell your story. As the CEO of your career, you are the expert on the path you have taken throughout your journey. This shift in mindset empowers you to control the narrative and to view yourself as a subject-matter expert. – Megan McCann, McCann Partners
7. Ask those closest to you about your nervous habits.
8. Think about what you want the interviewer to feel.
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Have A Cheat Sheet Of Positive Thoughts
Taking control of your thoughts can help with job interviewing anxiety. Our thoughts can create our feelings and by choosing to focus on more positive thoughts, we can shift our emotions.
For example, say your fear is, Im not going to know what to say. You could address that by saying to yourself, Ive practiced my responses to different types of interview questions and am prepared to ask a few good questions. In this way, youre challenging your anxious thoughts with evidence to the contrary. To reduce your anxiety, create a cheat sheet of positive thoughts to keep in mind whenever negative thoughts pop in your mind by jotting down your fears along with a few helpful coping statements. Dorlee Michaeli, MBA, LCSW
