You’re about to face a challenging job interview. How can you stay calm and confident?

An interview goes both ways. By considering what I want to know about the company and the culture and how this step is the right fit for my future, I take away the anxiety of being judged.

It's natural to feel nervous or excited about an upcoming job interview (both are connected to stress). However, to be in a more relaxed and confident position during the interview process, thorough preparation is key. For instance, take the time to research the company's history, vision, values, products or services, as well as their hiring approaches and testimonials from employees and customers. Ensure you're well-informed about the position, its requirements, and responsibilities. Reflect on your knowledge, experience, strengths, skills, and unique gifts, and consider how you can contribute to the company's success and vision. Practice and rehearse your introduction and responses to potential interview questions.

From my perspective as a psychologist, I would like to say that in general the person who is looking for a job is in a state of anxiety. This state is influenced by several factors (a) urgency for money, (b) desire to obtain the position, (c) personality type (tendency to fear, introversion, etc.), (d) rest from the previous night, etc. The subject is so multifactorial that to give only one piece of advice would be disrespectful to the job seeker. Therefore, in ppio, my recommendation is that: (a) focus your mind towards a compassionate look at yourself. b) do some diaphragmatic breathing or relaxation exercises before the interview. c) Don't try to accelerate your knowledge in the minutes before the interview.

Breathing techniques can be incredibly helpful in reducing stress levels and promoting calmness, particularly before important events like job interviews. Just before the interview, take a few moments to focus on your breath. Here's an example of a breathing technique you can use: 1. Take a slow, steady breath through your nose, allowing it to fill your lower abdomen. Slowly draw the breath up towards your chest and the top of your head. 2. Exhale long and slow, feeling your shoulders relax and your whole body release tension. 3. Repeat this process at least 3-4 times. This simple technique can help you center yourself, calm your nerves, and approach the interview with greater clarity and composure.

It may be useful to do some emotional centering and postural relaxation exercises before the interview, so that you can have this knowledge internalized (in-corporated) and it will be easier for you to make postural corrections during the interview. The same body posture, if it is adequate, will facilitate your mental posture. As long as you are trained in these exercises.

Before you step into this challenging job interview. Set aside time the morning of to practice visualization in as much detail as possible for at least 10 minutes. Be extremely detailed in this mental picture of yourself from the clothes you are wearing, to how you are feeling, imaging yourself feeling confident, comfortable and at ease as the interviewer is throwing questions and comments your way. Visualize the interviewer being impressed and pleased with your responses, listening attentively and hanging on to your every word. Be sure to visualize from the moment the interview starts until the end. Create a mental picture of it being the best interview ever one where you were poised, felt amazing about yourself and your qualifications.

Anxious states make it difficult to perform positive visualizations, since the focus is placed, according to evolutionary neurophysiology, on "possible threats". That keeps you in "tension". That is why "positive visualization" exercises are performed before the interview, as a training that reinforces your self-esteem and self-efficacy.

I agree, during a job interview, it's easy to get caught up in thoughts about the future, such as whether you'll get the job or how the interview is going. However, dwelling on these thoughts can distract you from the task at hand and increase anxiety. To focus on being fully present in the moment you can try: active listening to the interviewer's questions and comments, take a moment to pause and gather your thoughts before responding to a question, be mindful of your body language and non-verbal cues (maintain good eye contact, sit up straight, and avoid fidgeting), and engage actively in the conversation by asking questions and seeking clarification when needed.

The easy-to-overlook tip is to pick comfortable clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable and are not itching or pressing at you in various places. It gives you a boost of confidence, as you know and feel good about your appearance. You won't be stressed that it is pressing on your bladder, looks odd, or needs to be fixed every other minute.