Getting a new job can be one of the most stressful things in life. It is absolutely normal to get nervous before a job interview. In fact, if you weren’t at least a little nervous walking into an interview, you should question yourself if the job really means anything to you. If you feel stressed or anxious before an interview, it shows that you want to do well. Your anxiety motivates you to be well-prepared and keeps you alert during the interview process. A little bit of anxiety can be a good thing.

However, there is a huge difference between butterflies and major anxiety. If you suffer from serious anxiety issues, you should seek professional help. Nothing can replace professional mental health guidance and support when it comes to combating anxiety.

For others, here are a few tips to calm your anxiety before a job interview.

Research and Practice

Preparation is perhaps the best way to get over the anxiety of a job interview. Use your anxiety to your advantage. Use it to motivate yourself to prepare. Research as much as you can about the organization. Visit the company website, browse social media, and go over the news to find as much information as you can about the company. Take the time to practice common interview questions to make you feel more comfortable. The more you practice talking about yourself and talking through common interview questions, the more confident you will feel.

Take care of yourself

You should take care of what you eat or drink before an interview. It is perhaps best to avoid drinking a lot of caffeine before an interview. Eat a nutritious meal before an interview, but keep it light. A heavy meal before an interview could make you tired and drowsy.

Don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep. When you get good sleep, you maximize your cognitive performance, focus, and ability to handle a stressful situation with confidence. If you are well-rested, you will feel more relaxed and your answers will also come out more easily. Another upside is that your fresh appearance and demeanor will also help make a good first impression.

Dress for success

Dressing in the right attire for an interview shows your seriousness about the job. It also shows that you are respectful of the interviewer’s time and genuinely interested in the position. Dressing professionally can also boost your confidence, putting you in the right frame of mind for an interview. When you look your best, your confidence helps bring out the best performance in you.

Dress in something that makes you feel comfortable, calm, and confident. Prepare your outfit beforehand to avoid last-minute jitters. Ensure that your dress is clean and well-ironed.

Visualise success

Use the power of visualisation before an interview. Find a quiet place, close your eyes, and visualise yourself being successful in the interview. Visualising outcomes that you desire helps increase your confidence. When you “see” yourself succeed, it makes your mind believe that it can and will happen. “Practice” success through visualisation. When you imagine every step of an interview going well, you get your mind and body ready to take on those steps in real life.

Remember that the interview is just a conversation

You are not the only one anxious in an interview. Your interviewers are just as anxious as they want to find the right candidate that represents the company well. Try to connect with them and keep things conversational. Small talk can be great if you want to build rapport. You generally enjoy a conversation with people who are pleasant to speak with. Show optimism and creativity, and your interviewer will enjoy the conversation and potentially want to work with you in the future.