Understanding The Reasons Why You Get Nervous

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JOB INTERVIEW STRATEGIES:

Understanding the Reasons Why
You Get Nervous & A Simple Exercise
You Can Do That Will
Calm Your Nerves Every Time ...
Everybody gets nervous. A certain level of nervousness is natural and
acceptable, and it may even help you perform a bit better. It's true, at
a Job Interview you have a lot on the line. There are very good
reasons for you to want to perform at your best -- just don't let
“performance anxiety” get in the way of you communicating naturally
and putting your best foot forward.

Sweating. Butterflies. Shakiness. Tight throat. Fast pulse.

These are uncomfortable symptoms that impact your confidence level

at a time when confidence is crucial. Controlling these symptoms
begins with an understanding of the reasons why you get nervous
before a Job Interview.

The reasons why people get nervous:

1) A lack of understanding of the connection between

mind and body.

It's the thoughts in your mind that make your body sweat or shake
when you get nervous. Control your thoughts and you can stop
uncomfortable feelings in your body. Move your body in certain ways,
and you can stop the negative thoughts in your mind. See the “9-step
Exercise” in part-two of this free report.

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2) Negative thinking.

Worry does not accomplish anything. People never worry about

positive things -- they only worry about negative things. You can then
let go of worry if you replace your negative thoughts with positive
thoughts. Try this: Before you go into your Job Interview make a short
list of positive things. Positive things about yourself, about your skills
& abilities, about your personality. Things that will make you feel
better and more confident. Perhaps some happy moments from your
past. Write these things down, and consider taping to the piece of
paper a picture of your family, your grandmother, your children, your
favorite relaxing vacation spot, or the new car you'll be able to afford
when you get the job. Keep this in your pocket or in your purse when
you go in to the Interview. Whatever you do, catch yourself whenever
you start engaging in “negative thinking,” and purposefully replace
those poison thoughts with positive, confident thoughts.

3) Poor self-image, low self-esteem.

Nobody is a “super person” who has no faults. Don't beat yourself up!
The company has a need, and you can fill that need -- warts and all.
The company is showing confidence in you already, otherwise you
would not have been invited to the Interview. Just the fact alone that
you got the Interview should boost your self-image and self-esteem.
Think positively about yourself!

4) Improper valuation of your own abilities.

You are probably better and worth more than you think. From time to
time you may have heard other people belittle themselves by saying
“I'm no good at this” when it is clear to you that they are plenty good,
or very close to being good. Give yourself and your abilities more
credit.

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5) Insufficient skills required for the job you are

interviewing for.

Maybe you really don't have the level of skills required for the job. If
this is the case, think positively. Do you think everyone starts their
first day on the job as a total expert? No. Most people improve their
skills after they get hired. Perhaps the company expects you to “learn
on the job” to some degree. Remember, your whole goal for the
Interview is to get the offer. You can improve your skills AFTER you
get the job. Don't worry about it beforehand. Just go for it.

6) Lack of knowledge about the company, industry or job

responsibilities.

Of course this would make you nervous. This is a simple one to solve.
Do your homework! Spend the time to research the company,
products, competitors, etc. Make sure you completely understand the
job description and responsibilities before you go in for your Interview
-- AND come prepared with thoughtful questions.

7) Not enough practice at interviewing.

Practice makes perfect. As is suggested in “The Ultimate Guide to Job

Interview Answers,” you should stage multiple practice interviews
where you have a friend ask you the toughest questions so that you
can practice your winning answers. You might also consider
interviewing for a couple jobs that you really don't care about, and
would turn down if you got the offer -- just to practice and get your
game sharp.

8) Mental hang-ups.

Maybe your parents always told you that you were not good enough,
or maybe you have an idea about other people and their intentions
that is just plain wrong. As hard as it may be, try to keep an open
mind and see the future as bright and wide open. This will go a long
way in helping you control your nerves.

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9) Being a perfectionist.

It is good to strive for greatness, but everything you do does not have
to be 100% perfect. If something is not right (for instance, if you spill
a bit of coffee on yourself before your interview) then just accept it.
Don't dwell on it. Taking something 80% of the way there is often
good enough. Don't worry if everything is not EXACTLY how it should
be. Just continue to visualize a positive outcome despite any
imperfections you notice in yourself, the situation, or other people.

10) Bad health.

You can't perform at your best if you are hung-over, sick, or over-
tired. When your body is run down, your nerves will get the best of
you. Try to exercise several days in a row before critical interviews,
and make sure to eat the right meal at the right time and get plenty of
rest. You want to get hired, don't you? Take these simple steps to
ensure your health is in decent shape.

11) Worry about money, or anything other problems that

occupy your mind.

Stay focused. Stay on message. You are trying to sell yourself. The
interview is not about you, or your problems. The interview about THE
COMPANY'S NEEDS -- and how you will save the company time and
money, or how you will make your future boss look good while making
his or her job easier. Remember that you are trying to solve the needs
of the company, and the work-related needs of the person that you
will be reporting to. Put your own personal worries out of your mind
during the interview and FOCUS on the company's needs, and the
needs of the OTHER PEOPLE who you will be working with. Remember
that the interview is really not about you, it's about them.

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13) Excessive self-awareness.

Don't “listen to yourself talk.” Don't “watch yourself from the outside.”
Don't over-analyze yourself and your performance. Don't obsess on
your appearance, your body language, or be overly concerned with
how you might be “coming off.” Try to be yourself and communicate
as naturally as possible. Imagine that you are having a conversation
with a specific close friend of yours. Someone who you are totally
comfortable with. Be truly concerned about the OTHER PERSON, not
yourself.

14) Unfamiliar surroundings and circumstances.

Maybe you have never worked in a big office before. Or maybe you
have never worked in a small office. Or maybe you are are
interviewing in an environment that is totally new and unfamiliar to
you. Don't let your surroundings distract you! Once again, stay
focused, and stay on message. Even if you are freaked out (or
intrigued) by what you see, just relax, look alive, and act like you
know.

A Quick And Simple 9-Step Exercise

You Can Do That Will
Calm Your Nerves Every Time
The body and the mind are connected. For instance if you engage in
“negative self talk,” dwell on worry, and convince yourself that “I'm
not good enough” then these mental states will manifest in the
physical conditions of sweating, trembling, fast pulse, etc. In the same
way, you can alter your physical conditions (body) in or to control your
mental state (mind).

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 Understanding The Reasons Why You Get Nervous
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Try the following relaxation exercise. It is best done while you are
alone, but you can still do it without other people noticing if you skip a
couple of the steps. Standing up is best, but you can also do it sitting
down.

1) Stretch out a little bit -- Stretch out your arms as if you are
holding a huge beach ball in front of you. Arch your back. At the same
time, look up to the ceiling and sit up or stand up tall. Touch your
toes.

2) Massage your diaphragm -- Your diaphragm is the soft area in

the middle of your torso, right below the center of your rib cage, six
inches or so above your belly button. Push in right there with both
hands, and massage around a little bit. You may feel a “release”
already just by doing this simple self-massage.

3) Take a deep, deep breath and hold it -- While holding your

breath, relax your shoulders and neck. With your breath still held,
pound on your chest a little bit with closed fists, like a gorilla --
(optional).

4) Fold your arms under you rib cage -- while still holding your
breath.

5) Tightly purse your lips and EXHALE -- in four short, pressurized

bursts. Pause slightly between each burst.

6) Immediately throw you arms up -- and inhale quickly and

deeply, then throw your arms down to exhale quickly and completely.
Don't hold your breath this time.

7) Take another deep breath and exhale completely -- and let

your stomach feel open and heavy. Walk around a little bit if you can.

8) Let you jaw hang slack -- and massage your jaw muscles a little
bit. Pinch your nose and clear your ears -- (optional).

9) Repeat from step one

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 Understanding The Reasons Why You Get Nervous
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Now that you are familiar with the main causes of

nervousness, and you know a simple exercise that you can
use to calm your nerves, it really comes down to one
word:

PREPARATION!
We have prepared over 87 modern, trust-building, faith-generating,
eminently persuasive Job Interview Answers designed for today's
savvy Hiring Managers and Complex Business World.

It's basically word-for-word exactly what you need to say

to get hired ...

... you'll also learn how to “Package & Spin” your own work
experience to tell them exactly what they want to hear.

You'll have the perfect seasoned and intelligent answer to any question
they could possibly throw at you ...

It may be “just that one” Great Answer or Intelligent Phrase that gives
the Interviewer confidence in you -- AND GETS YOU HIRED.

For 9 Free Word-For-Word Job Interview Answers, and 4 Free “Closing

Power Statements,” visit our website at:

http://www.InterviewAnswers.net/

(click here)

Good luck!

© 2006 Bob Firestone -- All Rights Reserved www.InterviewAnswers.net

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