How to Reduce Your Interview Stress Level

To the interviewee, the interview can be a stressful experience. Even though as a restaurant manager you’ve likely been involved in countless interviews, this time you’re sitting on the other side of the table. You may “pre-stress” over landing the interview, preparing for it, what to wear, what to say, if the interviewer will like you and more. But the most important stress you need to manage happens during the interview. How you handle the stress during your interview will largely determine whether you move ahead in the process. Nobody relishes the moments when they freeze, panic, chatter aimlessly, lose their train of thought or perspire profusely. So how can you remain calm when it counts? Preparing yourself on several fronts ahead of time can help ease frayed nerves and sooth your interview jitters.

Preparation, Preparation, Preparation!

Research the restaurant as much as you can. Go to their website. Google news articles on the company. Make a visit as a guest and check them out from that point of view. If you can, research the person who will be interviewing you as well. Have all your past work experience facts straight. The more prepared you are for your job interview, the less anxious you will be. Practice mock interviews with a friend or a family member so you can get used to answering the interview questions.

Visit the site of your interview a day or two beforehand. This way, you will know where you are going and won't get lost on interview day. It can also make you feel more comfortable with the restaurant when you arrive knowing where everything is. Note the location of the restrooms in case you have to freshen up before the meeting.

The night before the interview, lay out your clothes for your interview including tie, belt, and any modest jewelry you have chosen to wear. Make sure each item is cleaned and pressed and that your shoes are polished. Men, clip your nails before going to bed. Attending to fashion details at the last minute can stress you big time.

If you can, go to the gym, take a walk, or exercise before you go to an interview. Leave enough time to shower, get dressed and get to your interview. Exercise can clear your mind and reduce your anxiety.

Timing is crucial: Don't cause yourself undue stress before a big interview. Arrive in the parking lot about 10 minutes before the interview is scheduled to begin. If you arrive too early, you'll sit and wait and worry. And if you arrive too late, you may find yourself racing in the door. There are no medals awarded for winning the “last-minute dash“! A ten-minute, pre-interview break will give you an opportunity to catch your breath, review your notes and acclimate to your surroundings. It's enough time, but not too much time. Remind yourself about the position and what you will be able to offer the company.

Bring a cell phone. If something delays your arrival, you can phone the company and explain while you'll be late. Very important: Turn off the phone once you reach the restaurant! As a manager, all of you have probably had an interview you were conducting interrupted by an interviewees obnoxious ringtone! Don’t let this happen to you.

A relaxed manager candidate is a confident candidate. Show the interviewer that you're calm, composed and in command during an interview. They'll be more likely to assume that you'll be rock-solid on the job too.

Brian Bruce, author of multiple articles published on many websites and several industry trade publications, has been cited in multiple news stories as an authority in Executive Restaurant Recruiting. He's an Executive Restaurant Recruiter with Premier Solutions in Oklahoma City and Blogger. He can be reached at 877-948-4001, by email at HeadHunterBrian@gmail.com , or on his blog at HeadHunterBrian.com .