- 1). Avoid panicking. Feeling mildly stressed is normal and can be beneficial in an interview situation. When someone is stressed, their brain releases norepinephrine, one of the main excitatory neurotransmitters. According to the Franklin Institute Online, norepinephrine causes problems to feel more like challenges and encourages creative thinking.
- 2). Find out as much as possible about the interview beforehand, and research the type of questions that are likely to be asked. Different employment areas will use different forms of questions and questioning techniques. Ask people already working in similar positions what questions they were asked during their own interviews. Research the company or organization to better understand its ethos and goals.
- 3). Quit smoking. Despite many smokers claiming that lighting up reduces stress, a study carried out in 1999 by scientists from the University of East London found that the stress levels of adult smokers are higher than those of non-smokers. The study also found that stopping smoking reduced stress levels.
- 4). Avoid caffeine on the day of the interview, because caffeine increases stress levels. In a BBA Online article, Professor James Lane of Duke University Medical Center said, "If you combine the effects of real stress with the artificial boost in stress hormones that comes from caffeine, then you have compounded the effects considerably."
- 5). Leave for the interview with plenty of time to spare. Dress conservatively, and err on the side of formal. If wearing a jacket, consider removing it after being introduced to the interviewers -- feeling hot can exacerbate the effects of stress.
- 6). Avoid taking the small shallow breaths typical of anxious people as this empties too much carbon dioxide out of the blood. Instead, breathe using the diaphragm and lower abdominal muscles. According to the State Government of Victoria, correct breathing techniques help manage stress by soothing the autonomic nervous system.
- 7). Answer questions in a concise manner. Don't blunder into the answer right away. Allow a little time to consider an appropriate response. Speaking slowly and calmly reduces the temptation to talk too much, a typical result of stress.
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