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Job interviews are not a comfortable experience for many people. But for some, interviewing can be downright anxiety-inducing. Sweaty palms, racing heart, fear of doing something embarrassing. If this sounds like you, you have a case of the interview jitters!
"Interview jitters can occur if a job candidate doesn't feel he is adequately prepared or ready for the interview," explained Sherry Mirshahi, CEIC, president of Interview Roadmap.
"Currently, many interviewees are feeling even more pressure to do well in an interview in order to secure a job. They feel worried about not doing well and missing out on a wonderful career opportunity because there are not as many jobs available now."
There are many techniques to make you feel better before a job interview. If you take certain steps and remain confident, interviews can be less stressful. ADVANCE asked some experts to give some advice on how to stay calm before the big interview.
 Preparing for the Interview
One important thing to remember before you go to the interview is you aren't the only one in the spotlight. Just as the interviewer is evaluating whether you are right for the job and the company, you should be deciding whether the job is right for you.
"You want to have as perfect a match as possible, which is, hopefully, what they want as well," said Terry Kohl, a career coach and author of Lost Your Job? Now What!
"The interview is a get-to-know one another session; an exchange of information. You are just as much a part of the process and should be taking the initiative to gather, as well as provide, information."
Start researching the company by checking out the organization's Web site to better understand its principles, but then try a Google search as well, advised Brent Peterson, PMP, MS, MBA, creator and president, Interview Angel.
He also suggested to practice telling your own stories and deliver them to anyone who will listen--your spouse, a friend or even a pet. "Candidates who can succinctly share anecdotes about the results they have delivered for other employers will stand out from the crowd," Peterson noted.
Also remember to prepare what you are going to wear the night before and learn how to get to the interview ahead of time. Remind yourself of your past accomplishments--this should help raise your confidence level, Mirshahi said.
During the Interview
If you start getting nervous doing the actual interview, take the focus off of you and ask the hiring manager some questions, Peterson suggested.
Kohl added you can point out an award or plaque in the office and ask the interviewer about it to get the pressure off yourself as well. "Often, getting the interviewer to talk about himself lightens the atmosphere and definitely makes you stand out from the crowd," she said.
She also said to prepare a mental "tension release" statement to help calm yourself down. If you feel yourself getting nervous, think, "This is only an interview, not a hostage situation. I am in complete control of my destiny."
Mirshahi said to take a deep breath during the interview and pause before answering questions if you are nervous. "This is perfectly acceptable and it will give you extra time to formulate an impressive answer to any question," she said.
You may feel tempted to tell the interviewer you are nervous, but Kohl said it will show if you are--so there is no need to broadcast it! "Most interviewers expect people to be a bit nervous and take that into consideration," she said.
If your nerves get the best of you, ask for a glass of water or a chance to use the restroom. Take several deep breaths and breathe in through your mouth and out through your nose. "Concentrating on your breathing slows the heart rate and has an immediate calming effect," Kohl added.
Amanda Koehler (akoehler@advanceweb.com) is associate editor of ADVANCE.
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