Tips for calming pre-interview nerves

I am not promising a walk in the park but with some natural stress busting techniques I might just be able to take the edge off your nerves.

The evening before your interview:

If you want to be at your peak you need a good night’s sleep before your interview. A warm bath with aromatherapy oils will help to prepare the mind and body for deep relaxation. I suggest adding four drops of Neroli essential oil, two drops of Bergamot and a tablespoon of Almond oil to your bath. You need to try and remain in the bath for at least ten minutes to let the essential oils work their magic.

Next make a big pot of Rosepetal and Lemonbalm tea —this will lift your spirits and relieve any symptoms of stress and insomnia. Before you go to bed sit in a darkened room and do some 7/11 breathing. This is a simple technique for dealing with the sharp, shallow breaths resulting from an agitated mental state. Breathe in slowly and steadily to the count of seven, then breathe out slowly and steadily to the count of eleven.
Continue with this rhythm of in-breaths and out-breaths until your breathing becomes more relaxed and regular and the tension subsides.

On the interview day

Start the day with a good breakfast — porridge is a great choice as oats are a natural tonic for the nerves and help relieve anxiety and stress. Add a chopped banana and some sunflower seeds for a mood boosting dose of seratonin.

Blend two drops of Jasmine essential oil in a tablespoon of almond oil and apply to the soles of your feet and your wrists. Jasmine builds confidence and makes you feel energised. If you are feeling like your anxiety is out of control, Bach Flower Remedy Rock Rose will help you focus on the positive and find your inner resolve. Larch Bach Flower Remedy will give you the confidence to shine — pop a few drops under your tongue whenever you need them.

Arriving at the interview

If you arrive feeling hot and bothered go to the loo and run cold water over your wrists and dab behind the ears, this has a very refreshing effect on the body because it is here that arteries are close to the surface, so dabbing these spots with cold water literally cools the blood. This will also give you the confidence that you won’t give that dreaded sweaty handshake.

While waiting (probably the most stressful part of the whole process)

Most of us stress ourselves further by rereading descriptions of jobs while waiting to be interviewed. Instead take the time to recall a smile on the face of someone you love - you might find it easier to visualise a photograph of them or even bring it with you. Respond with a smile of your own and you will look calm and happy when you arrive in the interview.

During the interview

The pressure point in the middle of your hand relaxes the mind and eases anxiety, press it gently then release and press more deeply, breathe in to your belly and release tension. This technique is subtle enough to use throughout the interview.

If all else fails breathe… so many of us forget to do this when nerves takeover! Breathe out a negative and breathe in a positive. After the interview go out and do something you love; fly a kite, walk along the river, make yourself an indulgent cup of hot chocolate or talk to a good friend - either way do not dwell on what you did or didn’t say.