Career Development
Preparing For A Job Interview - How To Reduce Job Interview Stress
By Lisa McGrimmon
Jul 20, 2008

Preparation is the key to minimizing job interview nervousness. If you prepare

everything possible at least the day before the interview, you'll be able to focus on the

answering interview questions well and avoid worrying about anything else on that day.



1. Collect all of your job search documents.


Gather together and make several copies of any job search documents you want to bring to

the job interview. This may include your resume, cover letter, reference pages,

performance reviews, reference letters, diplomas and anything other documents the

employer may ask to see.



2. Gather together and try on all of the clothes that you'll wear to the

interview.


Ensure that your job interview attire fits well and is in good condition. Discovering a

stain on your best pair of pants on the day of the interview is a source of stress that

is completely avoidable. Trying on all of your clothes well in advance so you'll have

time to fix any problems before the day of the interview will eliminate a potential

source of job itnerview stress.



3. Go to the location where the interview will be held, particularly if you have never

been there.


Use whatever transportation you will use to get to the interview and try to go at about

the same time of day as your job interview is scheduled. If you do this, you'll know

what traffic is like at that time of day, how long it will take to get there, where to

park, whether you need money for parking meters if you're driving, or which, if any

transfers you'll have to make if you are taking public transportation. You don't want to

worry about those things on the day of the interview, so work all of that out before your

interview.



4. Research the company.


Have a look at the company website or promotional materials, or, better yet, if you know

someone who works there already, ask that person about the company. Try to get a sense

of the company's priorities and, if possible, try to understand what, exactly, the

company is looking for in new staff members.



5. Practice answering interview questions.


Require yourself to come up with good answers for the questions that you find most

difficult. Sit with a supportive friend or family member and run through a mock

interview so you can practice saying your answers to tough job interview questions out

loud.



6. Set aside plenty of time for the interview.


If the receptionist told you that the interview would be approximately 30 minutes, set

aside at least 60 minute for the interview. Avoid scheduling any important meetings

immediately after the interview. If a job interview goes long, that's a good sign. You

don't want to be worried about picking up a child from school or getting to an

appointment on time while you are in the middle of your interview.



7. Keep things in perspective.


Remember, the employer wants to get this position filled, and he or she is hoping that

you will be the right person for the job. You are not going there begging for a job, you

are going there help them solve a problem for the employer. That is, if the company is

hiring, that means there is an important role that is not currently filled; you are going

there to show them that you have all of the skills and experience required to meet their

needs.



You will probably never completely eliminate nervousness before a job interview, and

that's fine. Employers expect a certain amount of nervousness. However, if you prepare

everything you can in advance, you will avoid plenty of distractions and common sources

of job interview stress and minimize your feelings of nervousness.