Interviews and the nerves that come with them are an unavoidable part of getting a new job. While it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous, it’s important to not let your nerves get the better of you. Read through our advice and techniques for how to relax before an interview, as well as how to stay calm during an interview.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
- Key takeaways
- Practice answering interview questions
- Prepare for things going wrong
- Breathing exercises
- Distract yourself
- Stay hydrated and eat something
- Take your time settling in
- Everyone wants you to do well
- It doesn’t last forever
- Treat yourself after it’s done
- Conclusion
1. Key takeaways
- Preparation is key, so think about what sort of questions you might be asked and practice answering them
- Plan for things going wrong by setting off early or making sure your tech works properly
- Distracting yourself and breathing exercises can calm nerves before they turn into real panic
- Treating the interview like a conversation will put you and the interviewer at ease
- All interviews come to an end, so plan something nice for after it’s finished
2. Practice answering interview questions
You’ll be asked competency-based questions which will determine whether you have the skills and experience required for the role. The interviewers may also ask you more generic questions that will help them get to know you a little better.
Consider what questions you might be asked and practice your answers, as having an idea of what you’re going to say will help you stay calm during the interview. It will also reduce the risk of being asked a question that you don’t know the answer to.
To learn how to predict questions you may get asked and how to prepare, check out our ‘How to Master the Job Interview‘ article.
3. Prepare for things going wrong
Whether you’re walking, driving or taking public transport to the interview, set off earlier than you need to, as this will ensure you’re still on time even if there are delays to your journey.
Save the phone number of the person who arranged your interview and if you’re going to be late, call them as soon as possible to let them know. Most employers will be understanding and the interview should still go ahead even if you’re a few minutes late.
If your interview is online, then check you have the right video call software, ensure that your device is fully charged and that everything is working properly – including your internet connection. Make sure you have the interviewer’s phone number so that you can call them to explain if you encounter any technical problems.
4. Breathing exercises
When looking for a mentor, it’s important to find the right one for you. Where to find a mentor depends on what kIt’s normal to be nervous for an interview, but it’s important to not let it cross over into panic. Regular, deep breathing signals to your brain that there’s no need to panic and, although it won’t completely get rid of your nerves, it will give you more control over them.
If you need some help with this, you could follow along with this video on the Calm website. If you find that this works for you, you may want to download the Calm app in the days before your interview and try out some of the tools they have for relieving stress and anxiety.
5. Distract yourself
Go for a walk, or listen to music or a podcast ahead of your interview. This gives you permission to think about something else other than the interview. Did your teachers tell you that cramming for an exam the night before doesn’t help? Interviews are the same. You’ve done enough prep in the days running up to it, so do something that will help you relax so you can go into the interview with a calm, clear mind.
6. Stay hydrated and eat something
Nerves can shrink your appetite, so it’s easy to fall into the trap of not eating or drinking before an interview. Drinking water supports your memory, attention span and regulates your mood. Eating a nutritious breakfast or lunch will give you the energy boost you need to feel alert and confident during the interview.
7. Take your time settling in
Don’t enter the room and sit down in a rush. Take the time to put your bag and coat somewhere, sit comfortably in your chair, have a sip of water and take a deep breath. These small things will make you feel more relaxed and comfortable throughout the interview, and will show the interviewer that you can stay calm and competent during stressful situations.
8. Everyone wants you to do well
It’s easy to see a job interview as an interrogation, but every hiring manager wants you to do well. You may not think it, but sometimes an interviewer can feel just as nervous as you do. Reframe the interview as a conversation and do what you normally do when chatting with someone you know – smile, make eye contact, don’t be afraid to ask how they are or make polite small talk. This will put everyone at ease and take the pressure off the interview.
Read through our body language tips for interviews.
9. It doesn’t last forever
For part-time or casual jobs, interviews often don’t last longer than 20 minutes. For full-time roles in sectors like IT or marketing, they tend to last between 45 minutes to an hour. So if you’re struggling with interview nerves, keep reminding yourself that it won’t last forever.
10. Treat yourself after it’s done
After your interview is over, give yourself some time to relax and celebrate your achievement. Interviews can be hard and take a lot of preparation, so doing something fun, treating yourself to something, or even just giving yourself a few hours’ break are all great ways to give yourself a pat on the back for doing something difficult.
11. Conclusion
Going for an interview is going to come with some nerves and an interviewer won’t mind if some of those nerves show on the day. As long as you’ve prepared in the days running up to the interview and you remember to take your time and breathe steadily, you’ll stay calm enough to answer questions clearly and confidently – making a good impression on the interview panel.
Looking for more advice on how to prepare for an interview? We’ve put together nine tips for a successful interview.
Last updated on 17 July 2026
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