How to Reply to Nervousness in an Interview
Nervousness can be helpful in an interview, so you do not seem too relaxed and comfortable. However, nervousness can also be a detriment when it causes you to forget important parts of your interview answers or causes you to talk too much. Get a handle on your nervousness through practice and taking steps to physically relax your body during the interview.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Role play before your interview. For example, go to a workforce center where mock interviewing services are available. Set up an appointment with a career counselor at your college. Even if you have graduated, mock interviewing services are likely available to alumni. At home, ask your spouse or a friend to play the interviewer, asking you common interview questions. Dress up like you will for the interview to make the situation seem as real as possible.
-
2
Pay attention to your body language during an interview. Do not cross your arms across your chest. Avoid sitting too upright in your chair. Do not slouch, but instead put your back against the back of the chair and relax your muscles. Smile throughout the interview.
-
-
3
Avoid talking too much. Stick to giving the information you rehearsed during your mock interviews.
-
4
Take a deep breath when you enter the interview room. Let the interview take its natural course. Calm yourself with a few more deep breaths, smile at the interviewer, and relax in your chair.
-
5
Take a few seconds to gather your thoughts before you answer questions. When your mind knows what it wants to say, you avoid using verbal fillers such as "um," "like," and "you know."
-
1
