Just calm down!

Not the right thing to say, in any situation, but let's move on!

Remaining calm during an interview is an easy thing to say and a difficult thing to do. The truth is it's not just your personal job to keep you calm, it's also the responsibility of the interviewer. So, with that in mind, you're in this together at least! Remember, they want to hire someone .... that's why you're here!

Now, I used to follow a guy on YouTube that eulogised that we should not "work" out, but rather "play" out. A subtle shift. His videos were inspiring, but alas I was a poor student at the time and I regret that now, but I am making amends (God bless New Years resolutions .... we all stick to those, right?). This "play" out strategy is the one I employ in interviews. Too many, including me in the past, view interviews as a grilling ... and you're the meat! An interview is a chat, hopefully a fun chat? If not or if the interviewer is rude, dismissive, harsh etc. do you really want to work there?

An interview is the same as online dating. The chances of two people aligning perfectly and committing to moving forward together are remote. So you may as well have a beer together (note to self: beers during interviews...) and find out if there's a spark and if this is worth pursuing? Substituting that beer and bringing it back to interviews, you may as well have a chat, not an interview, a chat. A two-way conversation to find out if you like the idea of spending a few years in that environment and if they think you, the real you, would be a good person to add to that environment. If not, it's actually a good thing! You've both saved yourselves a few years of heartache.

If you view this as a chat and the chances of the stars aligning are not great, the anxiety will reduce. Will it subside entirely? No, but a little bit is good, right?

Don't memorise a vast array of questions. Don't research the employment history of each person attending the interview. This is a direct route to stress. Be you and let the chips fall where they may!

It's not an interview, it's a chat.