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​There are few things worse: you’ve laboured over the preparation of your CV, pored over countless job listings, gone through the grind of tailoring each application to the roles on offer, refining your resume as you learn.

You’ve endured the agony of waiting, hearing nothing or no thank-you’s, hitting submit again and again. It can be a merry-go-round of emotional uncertainty, particularly if you’re used to success.

Then one morning, your phone buzzes. Your CV, that little emissary declaring your skills to the world, has struck a chord and someone wants to see you. This is the one you’ve been waiting for…

A mild panic sets in. The thought of your interview starts to fill you with a cold, creeping dread. The spectre of self-sabotage raises its head.

Nerves – We’ve all experienced them. But there are ways to overcome them.

Here are a few ways to get the better of them, before they get the better of you!

PREPARATION

Remember the old saying, ‘if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.’ It’s true. Always prepare. Do a trial run, whether it’s a mock interview with your recruitment agent or practice with a friend.

Prepare for possible HR or technical related questions – they’ll be wanting to get a feel for how you balance peer relations with technical requirements.

And do your homework! Research the company, research the people you’ll likely be interviewing with. The more you know, the more at ease you’ll be, the better your chances.

PLANNING

Reconfirm the date and time of the interview. This may seem like a no-brainer, but the better you can eliminate uncertainty, the better you’ll be able to keep a handle on your nerves and feel in control.

If you’re unfamiliar with the location of the interview, take the time to drive there a day or two beforehand, around the time the interview would be to take place. Find a park. Get a sense of where you’ll be, and how long it will take you to walk there.

You’ll reduce your chances of feeling rushed, lost or flummoxed, and will be more likely to carry a confidence into the room with you.

BE HONEST

If the interviewer asks how you’re feeling, be open and honest. Tell them you’re feeling nervous. For one thing, the interviewer will try their best to calm you down. They don’t want you feeling uncomfortable.

Secondly, it will show them how much you actually want the job!

Even better, it reveals to your prospective employer that your ego is in check, and you’re more ready to be up front with people than hide behind what you think you want people to hear.

GO EASY ON YOURSELF

We are often our own worst critic! Take the time to give yourself a bit of reassurance. You wouldn’t have been called in for an interview unless you were suitable to be considered for the role.

An interview is a two-way process. Your interviewer is just as much hoping you’ll be the person to fill their role as you are. Remind yourself of all the reasons you’re a great candidate, and block out negative thoughts.

To be honest, interviews are rarely ‘easy’. They’re as much an acquired skill as anything else. And the more in command of your nerves you are, the more you’ll exude the kind of easy proficiency and confidence that employers are wanting to see.

So if you’re the type to get a little nervy from time to time at the prospect of ‘proving’ yourself in an interview, just review the above pointers and remember that, if you’ve secured an interview, you’re more than half way in the door already.

If you’re looking for opportunities or inspiration, why not visit our current listings? Need more career pointers? Check out our tips on getting your CV into shape, our guide to small talk, or what to do when you’re feeling a bit lost between contracts.

And don’t forget – we’re here to talk anytime, so say hello and introduce yourself!