The pressure of an upcoming job interview can be a debilitating force, melting away any potential to showcase your skills because nerves have taken hold. It is understandable when the anticipation takes over – frantic thoughts and sweaty palms become your norm – yet it’s important to remember that staying calm and collected will greatly improve your performance. Before you even step into the office for an interview, take some time to focus on yourself and prepare with these tips by Jeffrey Hammel so that you enter feeling relaxed, confident, and ready!
How To Relax Before An Interview: Jeffrey Hammel’s Tips To Stay Calm
One of the most important techniques for staying calm before an interview is deep breathing, says Jeffrey Hammel. Taking a few moments to take several slow, deep breaths helps you to become more aware of your environment and reduces stress levels. To begin with, take one long inhalation through your nose, filling your lungs and abdomen completely. Then slowly exhale through your mouth until all the air has left your body. It’s important that each breath be deep and full; short, shallow breaths won’t have the desired effect on your anxiety level.
Another way to relax before an interview is to practice progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). This consists of tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups throughout your body in sequence. For example, start by clenching your fists and holding for a few seconds, then releasing the tension in your hands. To move forward with PMR, gradually work up from your feet to the top of your head, tensing each area for a few moments before releasing it. This technique can help you to identify areas in which you are holding unnecessary tension and give you an opportunity to release the associated stress.
It can also be helpful to create a phrase or mantra that will serve as a reminder to stay relaxed throughout the interview process, says Jeffrey Hammel. Beforehand, decide on something positive like “I am calm and confident” or “I am here and ready” that you can repeat silently to yourself while breathing deeply. Additionally, try visualizing yourself performing well during the interview and succeeding in the task at hand. This can help to boost your confidence and remind you that you have the skills necessary to succeed.
Finally, be sure to give yourself enough time before your interview so that you don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed. If possible, arrive early and take a few moments to adjust to your surroundings, reaffirm your mantra or phrase, and do some deep breathing exercises before heading into the room for your interview.
Jeffrey Hammel’s Concluding Thoughts
According to Jeffrey Hammel, taking control of how you feel about yourself and the situation is key; even if things don’t go perfectly according to plan, chances are good that with proper preparation and relaxation techniques, you will be able to make a positive impression on those interviewing you.