Nervous Energy at Interview

Nervous Energy

Some people really are cool as cucumbers when going on job interviews.

Then there's all the rest of us who aren't.

Jumble of Emotions

We're nervous, excited, frightened, anxious, all in a jumble of emotions.

And that can, and usually does, create nervous energy.

In turn, nervous energy, if not under some kind of control, can make you come across as jittery, unstable and can cause you to be inarticulate because your body and brain are trying to cope with all the extra adrenaline coursing through your veins.

Good Nerves

Most people think nervous energy is bad and wish they could do something to stop it.

We think just the opposite that nervous energy is a good thing and the best way to manage it is to acknowledge that you have it instead of wishing it would go away.

Vicious Circle

It becomes a kind of vicious circle you notice it getting in the way, you wish it would disappear but the more you think about it the more nervous you get.

What that means is that all your awareness goes on your nervous energy instead of on the task at hand, which is about making a good first impression and demonstrating how and why you're the right person for the job.

Managing Your Nervous Energy

So here are a few of the things you can do simply to manage your nervous energy:

Breath

Haha, you may be thinking, of course I'm breathing; I wouldn't be alive if I wasn't breathing!

We're talking about deep breaths; slow deep inhaling and slow deep exhaling.

Deep breaths really do help calm your stomach and still some of the chatter in your brain.

Let Them Know

Really, let them know that you're nervous.

Most people are sympathetic and once you say it, it can help you stop worrying that they'll notice.

Take it as read that not only will they notice your nervous energy, they're used to it, so make a joke of it and free yourself from tying yourself up in knots trying to hide something your interviewer can see right in front of them.

Take Care of the Interviewer/s

When you have nervous energy the tendency to put all your attention on how you are feeling.

If you imagine that one of your 'jobs' is to take care of the person/people who are interviewing you, you get your attention off yourself and on to them.

Believe it or not, most interviewers are nervous too!

Notice Your Environment

Pay attention to the room you're in, how people are dressed, what the chairs feel like, any art on the walls, any personal items that might reflect their owner.

This is a way of tricking the mind to stop focusing on how you feel and get it to focus on externals.

Make Friends With Your Nerves

If you begin to shift your thinking your nervous energy can become your friend and not your enemy.

You can start to use it to your advantage and help you come across as more genuine.

Nervous Energy Skills Training and Development

Impact Factory runs

Open Communication Skills Courses

Tailored Communication Skills Training

and personalised

One-to-One Executive Coaching

for anyone interested in improving their

Interview Skills

Nervous Energy Training in London