Hi guys, I have been trying for a training contract for a few years now. I have a final round interview with a firm on Friday and I am usually fairly calm but I think it is starting to dawn on me how important it is for me to nail it. I guess I am just looking for any advice for how to stay calm other than to prepare well. I think I will be alright on the day but I am starting to feel the pressure and was looking for any tips for remaining calm over the next few days.
Hey!
I'll preface this advice by saying that I am one of the most anxious individuals in the world and genuinely struggle to not have anxiety attacks in the lead up to interviews - which has been a major obstacle for me. Hopefully, the advice/strategies I gave to myself will help you out.
Prepare, but only to a point
So the first thing to do, as you noted, is to prepare. However, it's probably worth checking that you aren't overpreparing material that you just wont remember as I feel this can just end up being counterproductive to your own stress levels. Think about your motivations, do some firm research, have competencies prepped but other than that try to be yourself and let your personality come through.
Also, try and stop preparations the night before the interview and give yourself some time to decompress. Drink a glass of wine, watch TV, whatever makes you feel calm...this will help you wind down and consolidate the information you've retained better.
Try not to see this as 'make or break'
This may sound bizarre, but I've often found that my most successful interviews were the ones I went into thinking "it doesn't matter if I fail, at least I will have had a nice chat for an hour". Go in and do your best, but don't tell yourself that your chances are over if you don't succeed as this is likely to exacerbate nerves and reduce your ability to perform well. Keep reminding yourself of this throughout the week!
Take back some of the control
It's worth reminding yourself before an interview that they want you and they're taking the time to interview you because they genuinely see the possibility of you getting a TC.
As cliché as it may sound, you are interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you. Before interviews I find it helpful to have this mindset as it helps me approach an interview with more confidence and control. Think about WHY you want to work for them, and what questions you might want to ask about what they can offer you? For example, for me it was really important to start my career with a firm that cared about D&I so I went in knowing I wanted to firmly understand their position to see if we were a good match!
I know this might all be a bit generic, but I hope it helps. And it goes without saying, believe in yourself - because we all believe in you!
☺️