Why do i get so nervous during interviews?

If you’re reading this article, chances are that you’re one of the millions of people around the world who gets absolutely freaked out when it comes to job interviews. You wake up in the morning with a pit in your stomach, have tears running down your face on the commute over to HR, and feel like you’d rather replace every single one of your teeth with paperclips than sit across from an interviewer asking about where you see yourself in five years.

Don’t worry – you’re not alone. In fact, interview anxiety is so common that even some professional comedians talk about how they get stage fright before going on shows! But what’s causing all this stress? Let’s explore!

The Fear Factor

One possible reason for why we get nervous during interviews has to do with our primal instincts as humans. When we encounter any kind of perceived threat or danger, our brains enter “fight or flight” mode and release adrenaline into our bloodstream. This causes physical symptoms like increased heart rate and dilated pupils – all helpful if we’re trying to run away from a tiger, but not so much when sitting at a table answering questions about our career goals.

So just imagine: Your brain thinks that interviewers are tigers waiting to pounce on their prey (aka YOU). Even worse though – these metaphorical tigers can ask why questions; why did u suck back there? Good luck dealing with the confusion after that hit!

Table 1: Interviewer vs Tigers

Interiewer	Tiger
Asks Questions	Hunts Prey
Writes notes	Tracks footsteps
Asks follow-up questions	Stalks its target

I think we can agree–both situations seem stressful!

Another thing worth mentioning is whether it feels like there are more eyes judging us. Normally, if we do something embarrassing, there’s a chance nobody will notice. But in an interview? With somebody sitting across the table staring into your soul and silently judging every move you make?! Good luck with that one!

It’s All About Control

Another reason for our anxiety during interviews is because of a lack of control over the situation. When we’re at work or in other aspects of our lives, we’re able to exert some level of authority over what happens around us. We know who our coworkers are and how they operate; it isn’t unusual for us to have conversations and brainstorming sessions as well.

However, job interviews are a completely different experience – one where we feel largely powerless while people who already have power judge us word by word/eye blink after eye blink (which can lead to more panic – losing focus = forgetting ur sweet sweet qualifications).

In essence: Not knowing simply reduces confidence levels during prep time leading up to the interview process which increases nervousness .

List 1: You Vs The Unknown

• Unknown questions
• Interviewer personality
• Length of interview/repetition
• Will they find out about that restraining order?

It’s tough when you don’t know what cards your interviewer holds but keep reading maybe I may be able help point out achievable solutions

Success Is On The Brain

Finally, another possible source for being anxious during job interviews might stem from expectations created internally possibly due from high ambitions towards successful hires. Maybe you’ve spent years dreaming about working at this dream company ever since hearing back from them when applying (low-key stalking on Glassdoor until now). Your anticipation could be so high that features like fast heartbeats/butterflies-in-tummy could manifest themselves prior to stepping foot inside their office building.

Lainie Pickerel~a Job Coach confirmed this hypothesis in her research : “People often get stressed before they’ve even been offered an interview,” “They can idealize it and put a lot of pressure upon themselves thinking – Oh my God, this is the job. This is the company I want to work for–I’ve got to nail this interview.”

It’s crucial to recognize that such anticipation doesn’t mean you’re not qualified or skilled enough for the role necessarily; if anything your passion showcases how equipped you are !

Look at that! Some positive reassurance :)

Solutions For The Interview Nightmares

So what can be done when all seems lost? Here are 4 possible ways in which you could tackle with those anxiety ridden interviews!

Taking Ownership Of Your Strengths

One tip might be focusing on knowing yourself better by acquiring a clearer understanding about one’s strengths instead of being caught up in scenarios where failure already looks inevitable. Begin by crafting engaging responses related to your experiences , skills learned, and its impact & transition well into sharing examples reinforcing your abilities as opposed feeling like some kind of fraud; hence increasing confidence states Lainie Pickrel in her report.

Another interesting thing could be creating mind maps around potential questions tossed around during verbally (also consider proactive notes 🙂

Table 2: Mind Mapping Example
| Question | Relevant Experiences|
|—|—|
| How do past experiences prepare you for responsibility x? | Experience A
Experience B |

Fo just like solitaire card strategies we should think ahead so doing something similar makes sense too right?

Building Self Awareness With Practice

Many people out there push worth ethic, communication ability/ soft skills but never note down their general demeanor/presence within teams/collaborations said Brittney Kelleher who works at an recruiting agency based out of US Pacific Northwest area called Make It Better Staffing. She believes she recommended job candidates stating self awareness attributes also showed improved problem-solving capacity because they were more cognizant of where they stood to have most impact/influence within team environments vs. scrambling peerlessly for that star player spot.

List 2: Positive Reinforcement During Practice
– Stress relaxation exercises
– Focusing on strengths via small wins throughout the day
– Taking note of facial expressions/body language when talking

Improvements don’t happen magically, it’s all about small attainable steps!

Setting Realistic Expectations/Goal

Another possible way is to set goals which are both feasible and reasonable. Make sure you’ve done proper research profiled their work before walking in the room (look at websites like LinkedIn or GlassDoor). Creating a checklist should help aware yourself with situational requirements so your interviewer will not kick out an unprepared interviewee.

In case you may forget any important conversations during multiple rounds of interviews it mightn’t hurt take notes recording taking after each interview session could get those slip ups in check!

Stay realistic but focused we got this!

Table 3: Goalsetting Example

After Round One Interviews	Assessment Criteria
Express Personal Interest	Checkboxes checked relative to company values
Ask About Job Responsibilities	Reread job description for better understanding

The silver lining? When attending your next interview expect confidence boost by simply being more informed 🙂 . Aw jeez okay I’ll tell another joke..Let me think….Did you hear about the mathematician who’s afraid of negative numbers? Well he’ll stop at nothing to avoid them !

Mock Interviews from Trusted Sources

Though Lastly one recommended strategy would be going through mock interviews, asking somebody trustworthy (family/friends/alumni) questioning under role playing conditions allows insights into what kind responses are expected as well patterns questions asked permitting additional scenario practice if/when needed helps minimize nervousness levels so come time actualize & execute beautifully fulfilling for rewarding experiences.

Interacting with somebody trustworthy helps simulate/mimic an actual interview where feedback received from the interviewer may greatly improve/reduce anxiety levels giving insight into areas needing improvement.

List Three: Constructive Elements for Mock Interviews

• Honest Feedback Respectful Environment
• Flexibility in Questions & Scenarios
• Active Listening/Response Feedback

Conclusion

Let’s tie this article up by saying that interview anxiety is a fairly common thing which could show itself as physical responses unbefitting to situation. We’ve discussed issues that are beyond control like unreasonable expectations about our success, but you also have take charge of what can be controlled and work upon self awareness via practice towards building more confidence.

There’s nothing inherently wrong or broken with being anxious over interviews – after all it potentially means most people really want/prize the job they’re interviewing for! But remember in order for one ‘to come out on top’ it takes deliberate preparation to blend natural skillsets through confidence ,early mindset adjusting even simulating mock sessions getting us closer to landing dream roles we truly deserve.

Lastly, keep choosing courage instead of fear; Happy job hunting everyone! 🙂