Your palms are sweaty. Your heart is racing. You’ve rehearsed your answers, but the moment you’re asked to “Tell me about yourself,” your mind goes blank.
Sound familiar?
Whether you’re a first-time job seeker, a seasoned professional looking to make a move or re-entering the workforce after a layoff, job interviews can be nerve-wracking. You're not alone in feeling the pressure. In fact, interviews are consistently ranked among the most anxiety-inducing parts of the job search process.
The good news? You can overcome those nerves — and perform better — by understanding what trips most people up and using a few proven strategies to build confidence and clarity. With the right preparation and mindset, you won’t just survive your next interview — you’ll thrive in it.
Common Interview Mistakes and Challenges
Before we get into the tips, let’s acknowledge a few common interview mistakes that throw off even the most qualified candidates:
- Over-Preparing or Under-Preparing: Cramming like it’s an exam can make your responses sound robotic, but going in cold leaves you scrambling for words.
- Talking Too Much — or Too Little: Rambling answers can lose your interviewer’s interest. But being too brief can make you seem disengaged or unprepared.
- Focusing Only on Yourself: Interviewees often forget to connect their skills to the company’s needs or the role’s challenges.
- Letting Nerves Take Over: Anxiety can cause stumbles, awkward silences or even a complete mental block.
- Neglecting the “Soft” Details: From poor eye contact to a weak handshake or inappropriate attire, the small things matter more than you think.
How to Ace an Interview and Calm Your Nerves: Eight Tips for Job Seekers
It’s not just nerves that make interviews challenging — it’s the competition. According to 2025 LinkedIn data, there are now 2.5 applicants for every job posting on the platform — up from 1.5 in 2022 — making it more difficult for job seekers to stand out in an increasingly competitive landscape. In this kind of environment, solid interview performance isn’t optional; it’s essential.
So, the question is: How to ace an interview? The key is to address both the mental and practical aspects of interview preparation. That’s where these job interview tips come in:
1. Start with Mindset: Reframe the Interview
Many candidates view interviews as interrogations. But the reality? It’s a two-way conversation. Instead of thinking, “I hope they like me,” shift your mindset to: “Do I like this opportunity? Do I want to contribute here?”
Why It Works: This subtle change helps reduce pressure and puts you in the driver’s seat. Confidence naturally increases when you feel like an active participant, not a passive subject.
2. Do Your Homework
Research the company, the role, recent news, leadership and culture. Use LinkedIn, Glassdoor, the company website and recent press releases. Then, prepare three to five thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview.
Why It Works: Preparation boosts confidence and signals genuine interest. It also gives you a competitive edge, as many candidates don’t go this deep.
3. Practice Aloud, Not Just in Your Head
Say your answers out loud, especially for commonly asked questions like “Tell me about yourself,” “What are your strengths/weaknesses?” or “Describe a challenge you’ve overcome.”
Why It Works: Practicing aloud helps you refine your pacing and clarity and reduces the likelihood of freezing up. Think of it like rehearsing a performance; you need more than just a mental run-through.
4. Use the STAR Method for Behavioral Questions
Behavioral questions like “Tell me about a time you dealt with conflict” are best answered using the STAR method:
- Situation
- Task
- Action
- Result
Why It Works: This framework keeps your answer focused, clear and impactful. It also helps you avoid rambling and stay on point.
5. Simulate the Real Thing
Ask a friend, mentor or career coach to run a mock interview with you. Treat it like the real thing. Dress the part and ask for honest feedback.
Why It Works: Practicing under pressure helps desensitize you to the stress of the real event. The more you practice, the more your brain recognizes the situation as familiar and manageable, alleviating nerves.
6. Use Grounding Techniques to Manage Anxiety
Before your interview, take a few minutes to ground yourself:
- Take slow, deep breaths.
- Visualize a successful conversation.
- Do a brief meditation or power pose.
Why It Works: These techniques calm your nervous system and can help you start the interview in a more composed and focused state.
7. Prepare for Virtual Interviews, Too
If your interview is on Zoom or Teams, test your tech in advance, adjust your lighting, check your background and eliminate distractions. And don’t forget to dress professionally.
Why It Works: Distractions and tech issues can derail your confidence and the conversation. Virtual professionalism matters just as much as in-person impressions.[Text Wrapping Break]8. Follow Up with Intention
8. Follow Up with Intention
Always send a thoughtful thank-you email that reflects on a key point from your conversation. Reiterate your enthusiasm and why you're a strong fit.
Why It Works: It shows professionalism, reinforces your interest and keeps you top of mind. It’s also an opportunity to clarify anything you wish you had said better during the interview.
If You've Been Offered Career Transition Services, Use It
If you've been impacted by a layoff or restructuring event and your employer has offered career transition services — also called outplacement — don’t overlook it. Many job seekers make the mistake of not taking advantage of these services, assuming they’re generic or unhelpful. In reality, outplacement services can dramatically increase your confidence and performance in interviews — and help with every other part of the job search process.
What outplacement typically includes:
- 1:1 Career Coaching: Get personalized guidance from an expert who helps you sharpen your interview responses, build confidence and navigate your search.
- Interview Preparation: Practice mock interviews, receive tailored feedback and develop compelling narratives that align with your target role.
- Resume and Cover Letter Assistance: Create a professional, keyword-optimized resume that showcases your skills and experience.
- LinkedIn Optimization: Learn how to improve your profile visibility, attract recruiter attention and grow your professional network.
- Networking Strategy: Discover how to build and leverage your network, even if you hate networking.
- Job Search Tools and Resources: Access job boards, templates, salary insights, upskilling opportunities and more to help you stay organized and competitive.
Career transition services go far beyond a simple resume update; they offer a comprehensive suite of support designed to help you find your next opportunity faster and with greater confidence. Right Management, a global leader in outplacement and career transition, has a proven track record of helping individuals secure new roles twice as fast as the national average reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Conquer Your Nerves and Land Your Next Opportunity: Move Forward with Career Transition Services
Interviewing doesn’t have to feel like a nerve-racking, high-stakes guessing game. With the right preparation and job interview tips, you can feel confident, calm and ready to make a strong impression. From learning how to structure your answers to reframing your nerves as excitement, these strategies are designed to help you stand out and stay grounded.
And if you’ve been impacted by a layoff and your employer has offered you career transition services through Right Management, don’t wait. Take full advantage of the personalized coaching, resume help and interview preparation available to you — at no cost. It’s your chance to turn uncertainty into opportunity.
