How to calm job interview nerves

Nerves and interviews go hand in hand and everybody (including myself) will experience them to some degree. We just need learn how to manage them and try to use them to our advantage.

As an experienced recruiter, I can spot nerves a mile away and since my time on Dragon’s Den, I have found – weirdly – that lots of people I interview are really nervous when meeting me just because they saw me on TV a few times. I will always ask the interviewee ‘are you feeling nervous?’ and when they admit they are, there always seems to be a sense of relief because it’s out in the open. Not only this but by making you feel comfortable, it gives me a better chance to work you out without your nerves disguising the truth.

Do I think any less of you because you’re nervous? Of course not! Nerves show me that you care. The secret to a good interview lies in creating a sense of relaxation, and establishing that rather mystical, indefinable quality: rapport. This should arise naturally from the knowledge you have acquired in advance, and the confidence that knowledge automatically gives you. But the pressure of the interview situation can make even the most experienced and self-assured people crumble, obscuring all of the good work beforehand.

Think about it like this; you’ve only got around 30 minutes to wow me and prove not only can you do the job, but you are the perfect candidate. So it’s important to not let your nerves get the better of you.

If you can refrain from psyching yourself up too much before the interview has actually started, you’re half way there. In this instance, just think CALM.

Concentrate on non-verbals

The interview begins the minute you step through the office door. Make sure you pay attention to your non-verbals – walk tall, make eye contact, smile, nod, engage – it is important to make a great first impression and these will help you do that. Consciously thinking of these will not only boost your confidence, it will show me you’re serious about this. I would never hire anybody who doesn’t maintain my eye contact during an interview, that’s basic psychology!

Ask Questions

There’s only one thing you can be absolutely certain of in any interview. Whatever the role, whoever the interviewer, you will always be asked “Do you have any questions?”. Anybody who has followed my blog will know that the absolute golden role is always say YES. Show you’ve done your research; ask them something insightful, something that will set you apart from all of the other candidates. Listen so that you can respond intelligently and let your passion and personality shine through!

Let go

Everybody gets nervous during an interview and that is absolutely fine. I’d be worried if you didn’t. But remember you were invited to this interview. You possess something that they’re interested in. Don’t focus on the negatives, think about this and showcase your confidence, you’ll be surprised how much this can affect the overall decision. Above all, try not to be too rigid and enjoy yourself.

Make it matter

The interview is over. You have a good gut feeling and you’re being escorted out of the office, what do you do now? I always remember this one candidate I met stopped me at the door and asked, ‘So James, how did I do?’ – his sheer confidence gave him the edge and I hired him. I suggest taking a similar approach yourself. Ask your interviewer now they have met you, is there anything they’re worried about. This feedback is your very last chance to counteract any concerns they may have and your opportunity to pitch your relevance to the role and interest in the company.

Finally, if you do feel nervous, don’t crumble. Don’t feel you’ve failed. Take a moment, breathe, compose yourself and get ready to give it your all. Who knows, you may even surprise yourself.

This article is published in collaboration with LinkedIn. Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

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Author: James Caan CBE is a Serial Entrepreneur and Investor in People with Passion

Image: A Japanese new graduate, who wishes to be called Shinji (R), speaks with a counsellor. JAPAN-GENERATION/ REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao