How to Walk into a Job Interview Feeling Calm, Confident… and Yourself
You’ve made it.
After several steps in the recruitment process, you’ve been shortlisted and invited to meet the company you’re interested in.
On paper, it’s good news.
In reality, it often comes with a familiar mix of excitement… and nerves.
Because no matter how experienced we are with interviews, there’s always uncertainty:
Who will I be meeting? What kind of questions will they ask? Will I like the atmosphere? Will I feel comfortable there?
A job interview is a doorway to the unknown. And when we don’t prepare—at least a little—it’s easy to lose our footing. Worse, we can end up sabotaging ourselves, overwhelmed by fear and self-doubt. 😱
I know this feeling well.
Before becoming a recruiter, I spent close to 10 years working as an employee. And some of my interviews were far from enjoyable. That’s exactly why I’m sharing these insights today: to help you stop letting stress and anxiety take over, and instead approach interviews with more calm and clarity.
Because an interview, first and foremost, is a conversation. Not an interrogation.
It’s easy to forget, but a job interview is not a police investigation designed to uncover every single weakness in your profile—unless your career story is particularly suspicious. 🧐🔎
So when the pressure starts to rise, it helps to come back to the basics and ask yourself two simple questions:
Why was I selected for this interview?
Why do I want to go?
We often try to anticipate everything, imagining worst-case scenarios and rehearsing every possible answer. Taking a step back and reconnecting with the “why” can be surprisingly grounding.
And from there, a few things are worth avoiding:
- Placing too much importance on this one interview. The more we want something, the more pressure we put on ourselves.
- Trying to be perfect, to please at all costs, or to deliver the “right” answer every time.
- Being overly serious or completely poker-faced, as if showing emotion could somehow work against us.
An interview is not about proving your value. Your value already exists.
To turn it into a more enjoyable and meaningful exchange, a shift in perspective can make all the difference:
- Preparation is your anchor. Be able to clearly and concisely present your background, and know the essentials about the company and the role.
- It’s a meeting, not an exam. Allow room for spontaneity—and even a touch of humour when the moment feels right. It often helps everyone relax.
- You are on equal footing. A higher job title does not make someone superior. Your worth is not defined solely by diplomas or technical skills.
- Confidence invites trust. People are more likely to trust you when you trust yourself.
→ This doesn’t mean you’re perfect in every area. It simply means you’re clear about what you can bring to the company, you understand what they can offer you, and you genuinely want to build something together and keep learning along the way.
Because in the end, it all comes down to one simple question:
Do we want to commit to this journey together?
Now it’s up to you to find out.