Job interviews are nerve-wracking even if you know you’re qualified and capable. If you’re highly nervous, the best thing to do is to say as much to your interviewer.
Interview picture from Shutterstock
Recruiter Ann Mehl suggests in a video interview with OneWire that this is a case where honesty is usually the best policy:
I often say to folks, when you get to the meeting, if you feel nervous and you’re sweating and you’re feeling like you’re panting, admit it. Say it. Drop it into the room. Just say, “My nerves are getting the best of me right now and I just want to admit that.” Because the other person is human and I think they’ll relate to you more if you share it than if you’re all strung out.”
You can further minimise nerves by rehearsing with a mock interview and making sure your body language helps.
OneWire [via Business Insider]
Comments
3 responses to “Nervous In An Interview? Just Admit It”
Nerves are normal.
At the same time, it’s just a blinking interview.
It’s not the only job in the world.
The interviewer is trying to find out if you’re an ideal candidate for the position. You should be trying to figure that out too.
If you are, great.
If you’re not, great.
Best that you figure that out now and not 6 months into the new position.
I wouldn’t at all advocate flippancy, but at the same time just be realistic about what an interview is. It’s just a discussion about your suitability of a position. Nothing more complicated than that.
It’s highly likely that you won’t be the best applicant. Remember there’s probably dozens of other strong applicants.
All you can do is put your best foot forward and present yourself in a professional and friendly manner. Do that, and answer the questions you’re asked honestly then you and the interviewer should be able to see if you’re a strong candidate.
But to the point of the article, yep admit you’re nervous. No harm in that. The interviewer will be aware that some people do get nervous in interviews, and will perhaps be a little accommodating towards you. It’s not really a big deal.
After I got my current job, I was told by my manager that he actually likes to see that an interviewee is visibly nervous. He feels it means they are more honest than someone that isn’t.
Yep, I agree with this.
Nerves also show that you’re taking the interview seriously, and that you have a strong interest in the position – or at least it indicates that you may have.
I like dealing with down to earth people. Arrogance and machoism drives me up the wall.
Employers want to work with people that they can get on with.
So, if you do have a large ego, be aware that it may turn people off.
Had one interviewer who said he ‘didn’t buy’ being nervous.
I had Amazon interview last week I think the only mistake I did was admitting that I was nervous. I had 4 rounds of interview. In 1st one I was nervous nervous and I admitted. 1st interviewer was the senior most manager. Never admit nervousness, is what I learned.