• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • RECOMMENDED BOOKS
  • FREE TOOLS
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT

The Fortunate Investor

Investing, Business & Personal Finance For Wealth Builders

  • Save Money
  • Invest Your Money
  • Get Out of Debt
  • Making Money Online
  • Family & Money
  • Taxes
  • Business
  • Retirement
    • Retirement Calculator
Home » What You’re Doing Wrong During an Important Interview

What You’re Doing Wrong During an Important Interview

June 19, 2020 By The Saving Gal | This article may contain affiliate links. For more information visit our Disclosure

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
Share

Reduce Employee TurnoverWhy is it that when you have the most important interview of your life, everything seems to go wrong? Murphy’s Law? Actually, it’s a bit more personal than that.

Even without getting too introspective, most of us can acknowledge that so much of what happens in our external world begins in the mind.

If you’re worried about something bad happening, it seems much more likely that a bad thing is going to happen.

And there is at least one simple answer for this phenomenon: Anxiety.

Letting Anxiety Run the Show

When you have chronic anxiety, you aren’t going to be making the best decisions.

Anxiety has a purpose and it is good for quick thinking and action when you’re faced with acute problems. But the kind of anxiety you’re feeling when you’re up against a bit interview is more intense. In many cases, it’s the culmination of everything you’ve worried about for months.

Before a big interview, you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Usually, these interviews are connected to jobs that are life-changing in some way. Maybe this job will solve your money problems or open doors that no other job could.

We put too much pressure on these interviews, and then it shows. One of your first goals is to find your calm and lessen your anxiety so that you can adequately prepare and be level-headed during the interview.

Over preparing

Believe it or not, there is such a thing as being over prepared. If you spend all your free time prepping, you’re probably going to cover a lot of ground in a short time.

And while that sounds like a good thing, combined with anxiety, it can be the worst.

If you’re trying to consume too much information and are dealing with anxiety, you’re likely to get confused and forget the important stuff when it matters.

Before your big interview, organize the things you want to focus on and digest what you think is reasonable. It could help to determine the candidate standards so that you have a guide to what you want to prepare for. Don’t try to be the know-it-all who can answer every question. Instead, focus on getting the important ones right.

Using Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

When you’re feeling especially stressed out, you might be tempted to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, like alcohol. And while a nightcap before an important interview isn’t a major problem, if you have more than just a drink, you might struggle to get a good night’s rest.

Studies have shown that alcohol can interfere with your body’s ability to get a deep, restful sleep. Even if you don’t think you’re waking up at night, you might not be getting the restorative REM sleep you need before that big day.

Instead of alcohol on the night before your interview, consider trying something healthier, like chamomile tea or kava. You don’t want to risk feeling less-than your best the next morning.

You may also consider meditation. It’s helpful to calm your mind and clear your head. And, studies have shown that mediation is an effective way to battle anxiety. You may even see some benefits if this is your first meditating experience.

Not Asking Questions

Not Asking Questions

When you’re in front of the interviewer, it’s important to remain calm and answer questions as honestly as possible (while still making yourself sound great). And when the time comes, be sure you have some questions ready to ask.

You should have already done your research on the company, so don’t ask basic questions that you could have Googled. Instead, consider asking your interviewer to describe the company culture or about turnover rates. Questions like these show that you’re interested in what it’s really like to work there.

If the interviewer gets uncomfortable with them, it’s a sign that the company may have a toxic culture. Remember that you’re also interviewing the job. If something is off, you may want to reconsider.

Lack of Follow-Up

These days, it may seem like a good idea to pretend this interview isn’t a big deal… like you’ve got offers lined up down the block. But if this potential job means a lot to you, don’t act so aloof. You don’t have to come across as over-eager, but be sure to follow up after the interview.

If you want to go the extra mile to stand out, take it old-school and send a thank you card to your interviewer. You can bet that they will remember you. And even if you weren’t the right fit for the job, they’re much more likely to get back to you with a personal response (and possibly reach out to you with future opportunities.) Bottom line: Make that post-interview followup stand out.

Interviewing is always a stressful experience, and that’s okay. You can feel some level of anxiety and still rock that interview.

  • About
  • Latest Posts
The Saving Gal
The Saving Gal
The Saving Gal
Latest posts by The Saving Gal (see all)
  • Should You Save Or Get Credit? Here’s The Answer - January 21, 2021
  • 6 Key Strategies To Enhance Success in Family-Owned Businesses - January 21, 2021
  • 3 Tips for Being Ready to Meet the Future When It Comes - January 13, 2021

Primary Sidebar

Popular Articles

How to Avoid the 4 Biggest Business Risks

How to Avoid the 4 Biggest Business Risks

There are so many things that can go wrong when you run your own small business. You’re on a tight … Read More about How to Avoid the 4 Biggest Business Risks

Startup Tips To Help You Get Started

Startup Tips To Help You Get Started

Starting your own business can be daunting for any budding entrepreneur. It’s about having the … Read More about Startup Tips To Help You Get Started

What You Should Do If You Have An Accident At Work

What You Should Do If You Have An Accident At Work

Sustaining an injury can be a nightmare for many reasons, and it’s important that you know how to … Read More about What You Should Do If You Have An Accident At Work

Should You Save Or Get Credit Here’s The Answer

Should You Save Or Get Credit? Here’s The Answer

When it comes to your finances, you may find that you just don’t really know where to start with it. … Read More about Should You Save Or Get Credit? Here’s The Answer

6 Key Strategies To Enhance Success in Family-Owned Businesses

6 Key Strategies To Enhance Success in Family-Owned Businesses

Did you know that family-owned businesses generate most of the world's wealth? Take the United … Read More about 6 Key Strategies To Enhance Success in Family-Owned Businesses

Footer

TOPICS

SAVE MONEY
INVEST MONEY
REDUCE DEBT
MAKE MONEY
FAMILY & MONEY
TAXES
START A BUSINESS
RETIREMENT

THE FORTUNATE INVESTOR

ABOUT US
ADVERTISE
CONTACT US

The Fortunate Investor focuses on personal finance topics to build wealth. Topics include saving money, investing, managing debt, family and money, taxes, making money, college planning, starting a business, coupons and retirement.

SOCIAL MEDIA

FACEBOOK
TWITTER
PINTEREST
INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE

Copyright © 2021 Fortunate Investor. All Rights Reserved. | Disclaimer & Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service