6-Tips to Mentally Prepare for Job Interviews

 You have created the resume, done the search, applied and possibly even done a phone interview. Now, the hard part has come…meeting your new potential boss. Job interviews can be daunting and exhausting. There are plenty of articles and examples that can demonstrate and prepare you for any job interview. These articles dictate how to dress, what to say and what to do to follow up, but what we don’t take into consideration is the mental toll that completing a job interview can cause.  

Before, during and after job interviews, our minds can wreak havoc on our self-esteem. We tend to prey upon our flaws, imperfections and mistakes. It is important to keep our own mental health stable in order to fully invest ourselves in the job positions that aligns us with our career path. By taking the necessary precautions of preparing for job interviews holistically, we can better our chances of maintaining our sanity during the process. Below are a few tips to support your mental health during job interviews. Remember, these are not tips to getting a job but rather tips to better your interviewing skills and being aware of yourself despite a job offer or rejection.  

1.     Know your interviewer’s mentality

This is a pretty common preparation technique, but research your company, your job title, and if possible, your interviewers. If you know who you are interviewing with, look them up! Scan their professional biography, their LinkedIn page or even articles about them. No, this is not strange or creepy! All of what I just mentioned are things that are open to the general public and will tell you a lot about what a potential employer values. Take time to think of them and adjust your responses and presentation to appeal to them. Never forget, to be authentically you, but do so with a purpose.

2.     Go in knowing your purpose

As stated before, go into your interview with purpose! Take some time to truly reflect about what you are hoping to get out of this job you are interviewing for. Whether it’s for professional growth, new opportunity or financial gain; know that you have a purpose and you want to demonstrate you passion for your work. Understanding your own agenda will support with creating a sense of purpose in your responses and interactions with your interviewers.

3.     Recognize your flaws and strengths

A very standard question is always going to be something along the lines of, “What can you bring to our team?” or “What is a strength of yours?” On the flipside they will also ask something like, “Where do you believe you have areas you can improve upon?” These questions are inevitable, and you always want to have an answer! An employer does not want to hear that you are perfect. Take some time to fully understand your skills you have to offer and areas where this new opportunity can help support you and grow.

4.     Confidence, confidence, confidence

Nothing speaks more to others than a presentation of confidence! Demonstrating confidence instills trust and security in others. So be sure to spend time to feel your best. Look up proper interview attire and color psychology to find an outfit you feel great in and exude your confidence. Turn up your favorite music on your way to the interview. Or even ask a friend or significant other for some words of encouragement beforehand.

5.     Check in with your body beforehand!

When sitting in an interview, sometimes people tend to get nervous. They’ll notice their palms are sweating or their legs are shaking. Prior to walking into your interview, do a quick body scan! By practicing a grounding exercise and taking account of where your body is prior to your interview, you allow some time for you to be mindful of any awkward and nervous physical reactions. Check in with your entire body, allow it to take in some deep breaths and relax.

6.     After the interview, be kind to yourself!

After interviews we tend to over criticize and overanalyze our every move, word and stutter. Recognize these flaws, acknowledge them and move on! Practice your skills of radical acceptance. What’s done is done, we cannot change what has happened and instead we can focus on what you did well! Praise yourself! You made it through another daunting moment in your job search.

**** Written for Meridian Counseling by: Jessica Dirk, ACSW
Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW 81562)

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Contact information:

Phone: (626) 759-4461

Email: jdirks2692@gmail.com

Website: jessicadirkstherapy.com

Supervised by: Sandra Kushnir, LMFT (99225)