It is only natural to feel nervous about a job interview. You need to present yourself well, provide thoughtful answers, and convince the interviewer that you are the best candidate. However, the pressure of being evaluated can cause anxiety and self-doubt. The key is to focus on what you can control and prepare effectively.
Focus on What You Can Control
One of the first things I tell my coaching clients is to start by focusing on what they can control. There are many factors outside of our control – like whether the interviewer is having a good day – but we can manage our own attitude and effort.
One of the best ways to reduce nerves is thorough preparation. I advise my clients to prepare on three levels:
- Job: Get familiar with the job description and identify how you are a strong fit. Job descriptions can be overwhelming but remember that they list an ideal candidate – not a checklist of mandatory qualifications. I help clients prioritize the most important bullet points and align their experience with those key aspects.
2. Company: Research the company’s history, culture, and recent news. Don’t just rely on the company’s website – look at Consumer Reports, Glassdoor, and recent news articles to get a full picture of the organization. Understanding their values and direction will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate that you are a great fit.
3. Person/People: Do a little research on the person or people who will interview you. Check their LinkedIn profile to see their background, tenure at the company, and interests. Look at their recommendations to understand what skills they value. You can also check social media for personal interests – common hobbies or volunteer causes can serve as conversation points to build rapport.
Related: An Elementary Way to Overcome your Fear of Job Interviews
Narrow your Focus to Stay Present
The second piece of advice I give to my clients is to narrow their focus in stressful situations. I compare it to playing pickleball: when the game is at a critical moment, some players choke because they are playing two games at once – “hit my shot” and “do not mess this up.”
The same happens in interviews. You want to tell your story while simultaneously worrying about whether you sound boring. Instead, focus on one thing at a time – answering each question confidently rather than overanalyzing every aspect of the conversation.
Visualize Success
Steven Covey, the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, emphasizes “beginning with the end in mind” – which is basically planning ahead before you start something. Think of it like an architect designing a house. You would not just start randomly nailing boards together and hope for the best. Instead, you would start with a blueprint, a clear picture of what the finished house should look like. That way, every step you take gets you closer to your goal.
It is the same with anything in life – whether it is a project, career, or personal goal. If you have a sharp vision of the outcome, you can work backward and figure out the steps to make it happen.
Our subconscious mind does not distinguish between intense visualization and reality. If you picture yourself confidently answering questions and building rapport with the interviewer, your brain will feel more prepared.
I recently collaborated with a client who was convinced she would bomb her interview. I guided her through a visualization exercise where she imagined starting strong, connecting with the interviewer, and highlighting her strengths. Afterward, she felt much more confident – and because I recorded the session, she could replay it before her interview to reinforce the mindset shift.
Shift your Mindset by Spitting in your Soup
Job seekers must develop an affirmative mindset. If you do not believe you can land the job, it becomes much harder to do so.
This reminds me of the concept of “spitting in the soup,” introduced by renowned therapist Alfred Adler. He understood that change can be challenging, and this metaphor serves as a powerful reminder of how disrupting negative patterns can lead to positive transformation. Just like adding spit ruins a bowl of soup, this approach takes satisfaction out of harmful behaviors, making them less appealing and encouraging change.
I had a client worried about a performance review, convinced he would be fired. I asked him to imagine the worst-case scenario: if he lost his job, would it change his intelligence, character, or relationships? No. He would still be the same kind of husband, father, brother, or son he always was. While losing a job is difficult, it is not an insurmountable disaster. After reframing the situation, he realized he would handle any outcome – and in the end, he was not fired. This mindset shift helped him let go of unnecessary fear.
Embrace Failure as Part of Success
High achievers often equate small failures with being complete failures, but that is just a story they tell themselves. Truly successful people see setbacks as learning opportunities.
Every great athlete understands that missing a shot is not the same as losing the game. The more shots you take, the more you score. Instead of dwelling on failure, use it as fuel for growth.
One of my favorite sayings is: “All great champions are comeback artists.” If an interview does not go your way, remember – this is not your only opportunity. Your comeback will lead you to an even better fit.
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but by focusing on what you can control, narrowing your attention, visualizing success, and maintaining a positive mindset, you can overcome anxiety and perform at your best. If one opportunity does not work out, view it as a steppingstone rather than a roadblock. Your resilience and preparation will eventually lead to the right job.
Ready to conquer your next interview?