Endless worry, mind-melting existential dread, overthinking, an absent appetite and the bleak promise of a sleepless night – it must be the pre-interview anxiety.

Pre-interview nervousness is perfectly natural, (although this detail probably doesn’t help much at the time) and by utilising a few tips and tricks, you can even use it to your advantage.

It’s worth remembering that securing the interview is an achievement in its own right. If you’re feeling alone in dealing with your jitters/colossal weight of unbearable pressure, then you don’t need to, as plenty of people are in similar situations, and there are ways you can beat the anxiety.

Here are ten of the best anxiety-busting interview tips to help you feel better about yourself, recognise your value, and secure an offer while you’re at it.

1.    Acknowledge How You’re Feeling

Performing mental gymnastics to avoid thinking about your stress levels might prove problematic when the big day arrives. Rather than trying to ignore or drown out your stress, it might be worth exploring why these feelings are mounting up.

Aside from the obvious, ‘Because I have an Interview’ answer, it’s important to think about why exactly this is causing the stress.

Is it because you’re feeling unprepared? Perhaps it’s because you’re off to an unfamiliar place – whatever the reason, you can’t work on improving it if you haven’t worked out what ‘it’ is yet.

It takes courage to address your negative inner thoughts and feelings with honesty, and if you can manage it, it’s a good first step toward beating your interview nerves once and for all.

2.    Ask for Adjustments if You Need Them

Everyone deserves an equal opportunity when it comes to the interview process. If you need some accessibility support, don’t be afraid to speak up. Whether it’s physical, verbal or practical support, your prospective employer should be able to accommodate your needs (reasonable adjustments are required by law in the UK).

If you want to know more, you can check out our short adjustments guide for employers here.

3.    Have a Chat with Your Pesky Inner Critic

Inner critics can be incredibly cruel. Your inner critic should be an admiring supporter, one that offers you support and encouragement, not one that fills your head up with doubt.

Have some stern words with that pesky inner critic. Say to yourself: ‘You’re great. You have real value, and it’s just an interview.’

It may even help to say this (or words to this effect) out loud. If you’re not feeling positive, evoking positive thoughts could be the next best move to make.

4.    Do Your Research

Preparation is pivotal, so make sure you know about who it is you’re going to be working for. This doesn’t mean you need to know the business down to the molecular level, but it does mean you need to be able to talk about why you want to work there, what drew you to the company, and what you hope to achieve in your new role.

This can help you fight anxiety, as you’ll be more familiar with the company and what your place might be within it. What are their values? What kind of objectives are they working towards, and how does this align with your own experiences?

5.    Don’t Overdo it

It’s possible to overdo on the preparation front in the run-up to the interview. Finding a good balance can help you harness that all-important nervous energy without having it getting in the way.

Avoiding alcohol is a must, and it’s probably best to leave out any stimulants, like coffee, on the night before the interview – it could prevent your mind from resting, particularly if your thoughts are already racing.

If you overdo your prep and you try and stick rigidly to a script, you may get thrown off when the questions don’t quite fall in your favour. Plus, it can make you come across robotic. Nervousness humanises you, makes you relatable, and, according to the BBC, even more likeable as a result.

6.    Remember it’s a Two-Way Deal

Rather than thinking solely about what you can do for the company, it’s crucial to think about what they can do for you.

Interviews are a two-way deal. It’s an agreement that both of you should be able to benefit from, not just the employer.

Moreover, do you like them? Your vibe detection system is especially valid in the interview setting – if you don’t like them, or you get bad vibes from their behaviour and attitudes, don’t think you can’t turn them down. You have real value, and you don’t need to waste it on a company that treats you poorly.

At Trust in SODA, we always put people first. By dedicating all of our resources and expertise to helping our candidates, we can match the right talent to the best possible opportunities.

From software development to international digital marketing jobs, we’re devoted to finding people the most exciting roles across the entire digital landscape.

Interviews don’t have to be anxiety-inducing, especially not when you’re the perfect person for the role. If you want some help finding your dream career in digital, get in touch today, we’d love to help.

7.    Remember to Breathe

You’ve probably got some decent experience of breathing, yet for some reason, it’s easy to forget how to do it when battling the perilous interview anxiety.

Sometimes, focusing your attention on the beauty of breathing can make a surprising amount of difference. It can root you to the world, enhance your sense of perspective and help you focus your thoughts.

8.    Think About the Best Outcome

Rather than thinking about the worst possible outcome, why not think about how bright your future might look once you land your new job?

This may help you swap the anxiety for excitement – a relabelling of sorts. If you can’t seem to stop thinking about every kind of outcome, then you might as well think about the best possible one.

9.    Accept It

Whether it’s your first interview or your 1001st, nervousness is likely going to make an appearance at some point. Accepting it may help you get past it in the future.

10. Let Your Interviewer Know

If you’re worried about your anxiety getting in the way of what looks like a prime career opportunity, you may want to think about letting your interviewers know about your situation.

This could end up lightening the mood, establishing a human connection and easing the nerves when the time comes. Having the confidence to admit your feelings is a strength, not a weakness.

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