How to Feel Calm for a Phone Interview

Practice meditation or yoga to calm nerves before an interview.

A phone interview allows employers to prescreen job applicants. A successful phone interview can result in an in-person interview or a job offer. Feeling calm before and during a phone interview is important because you will be able to give clear answers and exude confidence and enthusiasm. Feel calm for a phone interview by finding methods to reduce your stress.

Instructions

1. Prepare for the phone interview by researching the company, practicing your answers for interview questions and having a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer. Choose a quiet and distraction-free location to do the interview. Being well-prepared will reduce your anxiety and help calm nerves.

2. Build your confidence, which will help beat stress, according to the Kids Health website. Talk to encouraging friends and family before the interview and remind yourself that you are a qualified candidate for the job and well-prepared for the interview.

3. Use your senses to calm your nerves before and during the interview. Try different techniques that engage the senses until you find one that works for you. Ideas include looking at a family picture, listening to music, squeezing a stress ball, drinking warm tea or lighting a scented candle.

4. Practice deep breathing exercises to calm overexcited nerves. Sit straight, inhale through your nose and exhale from your mouth. To draw deep breaths, the Help Guide website instructs to breathe from the stomach, not the chest. Concentrate on expanding your stomach, not your chest, while breathing.

5. Calm your body and eliminate nervous energy by exercising. Go for a run or walk around the neighborhood or do a yoga session before the phone interview.

References

• Kids Health: 5 Ways to Beat Pre-Performance Nerves
• The Franklin Institute: Relieve Your Stress Through Senses
• Help Guide: Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief

Resources

• Yale University: Interview Tips