How to Feel Less Nervous Before a Job Interview

Sep 10

3 min read

Feeling nervous before an interview is completely normal. In fact, a little nervousness can help you stay alert and focused. The aim isn't to eliminate nerves completely, t's to manage them so they work for you rather than against you.

1. Prepare, but don't try to memorise everything

One of the biggest causes of interview anxiety is feeling unprepared.

Research:

The company
The role
The job description
The key skills they're looking for
Common questions for the position

2. Practise saying your answers out loud

Thinking about an answer in your head isn't the same as actually saying it.

Practise answering questions such as:

"Tell me about yourself."
"Why do you want this job?"
"What are your strengths?"
"Tell me about a time you faced a challenge."
"Why should we hire you?"

Speaking your answers out loud helps you become more comfortable hearing yourself answer and makes your responses feel more natural. Even better, practise with someone else or have a mock interview.

3. Change the way you think about nerves

Instead of thinking:

"I'm so nervous. I'm going to mess this up."

Try:"I'm nervous because this opportunity matters to me."

Nerves are your body's response to something important. That doesn't mean you're going to perform badly.

You can even reframe the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heart or butterflies as energy that you can use to stay engaged and enthusiastic.

4. Give yourself plenty of time

Don't make your interview more stressful by rushing.

If it's online:

Check your internet connection
Test your camera and microphone
Find a quiet space
Have your CV and job description nearby
Log in early

If it's face-to-face:

Plan your journey
Check where you're going
Allow extra time for traffic or public transport
Arrive around 10–15 minutes early

Being rushed can dramatically increase your stress levels.

5. Take a few slow breaths

Just before your interview, try slowing your breathing.

Take a slow breath in, then breathe out slightly longer and more slowly.

Repeat this several times.

The aim isn't to take huge breaths, it's simply to slow your breathing and give yourself a moment to reset.

6. Don't drink too much caffeine

If you're already feeling anxious, several cups of coffee or energy drinks probably won't help.

Stick to your normal routine and stay hydrated.

7. Remember: it's a conversation, not an interrogation

It's easy to think:

"They're judging everything I say."

But an interview is also an opportunity for you to decide whether the organisation and role are right for you.

Try to think of it as a professional conversation where you're explaining:

Who you are → what you've achieved → what you can offer → why you want the role.

8. It's completely okay to pause

You don't have to answer immediately.

If you're asked a difficult question, take a couple of seconds to think.

You can say:

"That's a really good question. Let me think about that for a moment."

A short pause can make you appear thoughtful and considered, rather than nervous.

9. Don't panic if you give a bad answer

One answer doesn't have to determine the entire interview.

If you realise you've answered a question badly, you can recover.

Try:

"Actually, I'd like to add something to that..."

Then give the example or information you initially forgot.

Interviewers understand that people can be nervous.

10. Focus on what you can control

You can't control:

What questions they'll ask
Who else has applied
Exactly what the interviewer thinks

But you can control:

Your preparation
Your examples
Your attitude
Your body language
Your communication
How you respond when you don't know something

Focus your energy on the things you can control.