Winning psychology: how to conquer nerves and project confidence - job interview

Your palms sweat, your heart is racing, and you feel "impostor syndrome" lurking. Nerves before an interview are universal; they happen to the intern and the executive. The difference between success and failure is not the absence of nerves, but the ability to manage them. In this article, based on the Mental Preparation and Attitude Management techniques from our course, we teach you to think like an elite athlete to win the gold medal: the job.

1. The Mindset Shift: From "Asking" to "Offering"

The greatest source of anxiety is feeling that you're going to "ask" a favor (a job) from someone who has all the power. Wrong.

The Service Mentality: Shift your mindset. You're not going to ask; you're going to offer solutions. Think: "This employer has a problem (an empty vacancy that's costing them money) and I have the skills to solve it." Your value proposition is a professional service. This "offer" mentality balances the power dynamic and gives you confidence.

2. Learn from Athletes: Visualization and Preparation

Have you seen Usain Bolt before a race? He's not cowering in fear; he's relaxed, confident, visualizing victory. You should do the same.

• Positive Visualization: Before the interview, take a few minutes to close your eyes and imagine everything going well. Visualize yourself greeting confidently, responding fluently, and connecting with the interviewer. This exercise "programs" your brain for success and reduces cortisol.
• The "Little Inner Voice": We all have an inner critic that says "you're not prepared" or "you don't speak English." Identify those negative thoughts and fight them with facts. "I have studied, I have experience, and I deserve this position." Use positive self-affirmations: "I trust my abilities", "I can add value".

3. Physiological Techniques to Control Nerves

Fear is a physical reaction. You can hack your body to calm your mind.

• Breathe: Right before going in (or connecting), take deep, slow breaths. Oxygenating the brain instantly reduces heart rate.
• Pre-Interview Exercise: If you can, do some exercise the morning of the interview. You'll burn off accumulated adrenaline and release endorphins that will make you feel more positive and alert.
• Arrive Early (but not too early): Rushing fuels anxiety. Arrive with enough time to use the bathroom, check yourself in the mirror, drink water, and acclimate to the environment. Feeling in control of the time gives you calm.

4. During the Interview: External Focus

When we're nervous, we obsess over ourselves ("Is my voice shaking?", "Am I red?", "Me, me, me").

The External Focus Strategy: Shift your attention away from yourself toward the interviewer. Obsessively concentrate on listening to them, understanding their need, and how you can help. When your brain is busy solving the other person's problem, it forgets to be nervous about you.

Radical Acceptance: It's normal to be nervous. Accept it. Don't try to fight it or judge yourself. If your voice shakes a bit at the start, it's okay. Often the interviewer is also nervous or under pressure to find the ideal candidate. Your humanity connects too.

5. Attitude Is Everything: The Work Mindset

Beyond nerves, what convinces is your attitude. Companies hire for attitude and train for skill.

• Resilience and Tenacity: Show that obstacles don't sink you. If they ask you a tough question or you make a mistake, smile, correct yourself, and move on. That ability to recover in real time is a practical demonstration of resilience.
• Goodwill and Honesty: Be authentic. Don't try to be a perfect character. Integrity and the desire to learn (learning agility) are often more valuable than already knowing everything.

Remember: An interview is not a life-or-death exam. It's a conversation to see if you fit. You are worth a lot, with or without that job. Go in with that confidence and you'll be halfway there.