How to Control Shyness & Nervousness at an Interview

Maintain eye contact with the interviewer.

Job interviews can be scary and overwhelming, especially if you are a shy person to begin with. Don't let your anxiety take over, however. This is your chance to show the interviewer your positive qualities and attributes, so remain calm. Prepare yourself before the interview and believe in yourself. Realize that your potential employer saw something in your resume that made him call you for an interview. Take comfort in that fact and be proud of yourself.

Instructions

1. Pretend that you are the interviewer. This is your chance to interview the company. You need to know if this company is a good fit for you. Remember that when you are sitting in your chair across from the interviewer. This will help you relax a little and allow you to feel comfortable and ask questions about the company.

2. Focus on your positive attributes. Think about your wonderful qualities at work, such as being diligent and paying attention to details. Say to yourself that you would be a strong asset to the company. Say this a couple of times in your head. This will help you feel more confident during the interview.

3. Relieve stress in your body by tensing and relaxing your feet. Simply tighten one foot for a few seconds, then release it. Then tense the other foot and release. This is a helpful way to relieve stress and tension, and the interviewer won't see this.

4. Show confidence. This is not easy, and you may need to fake it. However, acting this way will help you appear successful and in control. Pay attention to your body language. When you meet the interviewer, shake hands and look her in the eye. Sit up straight and hold your head up. Try to smile and keep your arms by your sides. Don't cross your arms. Simply place them on the arms of the chair or in your lap.

5. Breathe deeply during the interview. Breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Your abdomen should move up as you breathe in and down as your breathe out.

Tips & Warnings

• Think of questions the interviewer may ask, and practice answering in front of the mirror. Speak in a clear and confident manner. Practice as much as you can before the interview. This will help you feel a little better. You can even role-play with a friend if you choose.

• Get plenty of rest the night before the interview. This may be hard if you are nervous, but try to relax. Read a book or watch TV to calm you down before going to sleep.

• Get to the interview early.

References

• "Psychology Today"; Ten Tips for the Shy Job Seeker; Katherine Brooks, Ed.D.; May 2010
• HelpGuide.org; Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief; Lawerence Robinson, et al.
• "US News and World Report"; How to Stay Relaxed During a Job Interview; Andrew Rosen; March 2011
• Brooklyn College Info Central; Interview Anxiety; David Hoy