Job Interview Anxiety Fighting Techniques

There's nothing more normal than having a little anxiety before a job interview. As a job seeker, you spend a lot of time and effort trying to get work, so it's understandable that there will be some nerves before presenting your case to an employer.

That doesn't mean you have to live with it.

Anxiety manifests itself in many aspects of the job search, but the interview is the most common culprit. An abundance of nerves can lead to a poor showing, which is the last thing you want when trying to prove you are the best candidate for the job. Here are eight techniques you can use to lessen the anxiety before your big day:

• Get plenty of rest. Think twice about seeing that late-night movie with your friends before your interview. You want at least eight hours of sleep, but it doesn't hurt to even have a little more than that. This will help you be calm and relaxed when it comes time to meet the hiring manager.
• Do a mock interview with friends or family. Practice interviews will never match the real one, but they can still be helpful in honing your responses. Make sure you do it with someone who won't hesitate to tell you if you need improvements in certain areas.
• Remember you were asked in for an interview. The employer obviously felt your qualifications were impressive enough to bring you in for a chat. Don't feel you have to be more than what you showed in your resume to impress the hiring manager.
• Prepare the night before, not at the last minute. This means picking out your interview wardrobe and making sure you have the correct directions to the office.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes early. This doesn't mean you should go into the office early. Just make sure you are in the area with plenty of time to spare for parking, etc.
• Practice steady breathing if you are feeling panicked. This is a common technique that usually helps calm yourself down.
• Keep things in perspective. The worst thing that can come from this interview is you won't get the job. While this would obviously be disappointing, it likely won't be your last opportunity for an interview.
• Remind yourself that you've done everything you can do. There's no sense in worrying about things that are out of your control.