Okay, let’s be real—interviews are stressful. Sweaty hands, pounding heart, that embarrassing smile when you catch yourself forgetting what you were going to say… ring a bell?
Either it’s your first interview or fifth this past month, the pressure of delivering can make even the most screened person a bundle of nerves. And yet, interviews are part of job hunting. The good news? Nerves aren’t a surefire way to ruin your chances. Not at all, in fact. You can approach any interview—any, we mean it—and deliver with poise, if you prepare and approach the process in the right frame of mind.
Here’s how.
1. Understand That Nerves Are Normal
Let’s clear one thing up first: it doesn’t mean you can’t do it if you’re nervous. It means you care. Even experienced professionals are nervous before an interview. The trick is to use that nervous energy and work in your favor.
So, breathe deeply. You’re only being human.
2. Know the Company Like It’s Your Own
One of the greatest confidence builders in any job interview is preparation—and it begins with research. Do your homework on the company:
What do they do?
Who are their customers or clients?
What’s their mission or values?
What type of culture do they celebrate?
Visit their site, browse their social media, and scan whatever news or blog posts they have available. When you walk into an interview with knowledge about the company in your pocket, you immediately feel more confident—and it’s worth it.
Tip: interviewers also like it when you ask thoughtful questions that show you put in the effort.
3. Practice, But Don’t Memorize
You’ve probably heard this once before: practice your responses. And it’s not a cliché. Practice common interview questions like:
“Tell me about yourself.”
“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
“Why do you want to work here?”
“Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge and how you responded.”
Practice answering these out loud—not mentally. Record yourself, have a friend be your drill-out partner with you, or practice in front of a mirror. This way, you can observe how you sound and build muscle memory.
But here’s the catch: don’t memorize word-for-word responses. You’ll sound like a robot or worse—freeze up when you get off track. Instead, keep bullet points in mind, and answer naturally, as if you’re conversing.
4. Get Ready to Tell Your STAR Stories
Interviewers are fond of examples. So, when they pose behavioral questions (“Tell me about a time…”), use the STAR format to organize your answer:
Situation: What was the situation?
Task: What were you asked to do?
Action: What did you do?
Result: What did you achieve?
Here’s an instant example:
Q: Describe a situation when you worked under pressure.
A: ” During my NYSC, I was tasked with doing a community health outreach (S). I had only two weeks to get it done, and I had to work with local leaders and volunteers (T). I organized a timeline, delegated tasks, and checked in daily to ensure that we were on track (A). A total of over 150 people attended the outreach, and we received wonderful feedback (R).”
Having 3–5 STAR stories prepared will give you concrete examples to draw upon during your interview.
5. Dress the Part (and Feel the Part)
What you wear matters—not just because of how you look, but because of how it will make you feel. When you wear professional, put-together attire, you feel more confident.
Research the company’s culture if possible. For a corporate office, stick to business formal (shirt, blazer, dress, etc.). For a startup or creative space, smart casual may be fine. When in doubt, dress slightly more formal than expected.
And don’t forget grooming—clean nails, tidy hair, fresh breath. Little things make a big difference.
6. Get There Early (or Log in Early)
Arriving late is stressful and can destroy your composure. Make an effort to reach the place 15 minutes ahead. In case of an online interview, log in 10 minutes ahead of time so that your internet, camera, and audio are ready.
Arriving early gives you time to breathe, get your thoughts together, and settle in. You’ll walk into the interview with more confidence—and the interviewer will thank you.
7. Body Language Speaks Volumes
Even before your mouth is open, your body language is already sending signals. Here’s how to make it work on your behalf:
Smile (naturally)
Make eye contact
Sit or stand with an upright back
Don’t fidget
Use your hands naturally when speaking
Good body language is all about being confident, even if your heart is pounding in your chest. And sometimes just “faking it till you make it” makes you confident as well.
8. Be Yourself—The Best Version of You
It’s tempting to attempt to give them what you think they want. But remember: they’re not hiring a skillset—they’re hiring a person.
Be yourself. Let your personality shine through. Show excitement in talking about the job. Share your true experiences. Be yourself honestly.
Your uniqueness is your strength. Don’t be you; be someone else. Just be the best prepared, most refined version of yourself.
9. Don’t Be Afraid to Pause
Here’s a secret that most don’t know: pausing before a question is okay.
You don’t have to respond immediately. Pausing for a moment or two to think is maturity and composure. If you missed the question, ask respectfully to repeat it.
Interviewers don’t require perfection from you. They expect clarity, thoughtful response, and confidence under pressure.
10. Finish Strong
When the interviewer poses, “Do you have any questions for us?” don’t reply “No.”
This is your time to be curious and engaged. Ask one or two solid questions, such as:
“What does a typical day look like in this role?”
“What are the key traits that enable someone to excel in this role?”
“What are the next steps in the process?”
Thank them for their time. Smile. Leave on a high note.
Follow up the interview with a brief thank-you note or email. It’s a small courtesy, but it makes a big impression.