Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a fresh graduate, knowing how to mentally prepare for an interview will elevate your performance and increase your chances of landing a role.

According to a CareerBuilder survey, 49% of hiring managers say they can tell within the first five minutes if a candidate will succeed in the role or not. This statistic highlights the importance of having strong interview skills.

In order to successfully land a role, you must be prepared to bring your best to an interview—emotionally, physically, and mentally. All these components work together to enable you to achieve success. In this article, we’ll share essential tips on mentally preparing for an interview to land your next role.

Tips for preparing mentally for an interview

There’s a cost for walking into an interview unprepared; it is typically the loss of a job opportunity. This is why it is important for candidates to take extra time to mentally prepare.

Get Familiar with the Company and Role to Reduce Anxiety:

Understanding the company and proceeding further to network with current staff can help you feel more confident and mentally ready for an interview. This is even more essential if you’re passionate about the company’s mission and want to be part of it in the long term.

Your research should include discovering more about the company’s goals, culture, and any latest industry. You can also learn about the role you’re interviewing for, what it entails, and why it’s an excellent fit for you. 

These preparations have a way of telling your mind that you are well prepared and as such you’re more likely to give more confident responses.

2) Manage Time Wisely to Avoid Last-Minute Stress

On the days leading to the interview, manage your preparation time wisely and do not leave important tasks like notes review to the last minute. 

In cases where you need to go to a physical interview location, ensure you have the correct address. If possible, stop by the location days before the interview to ensure you have the right spot and know the fastest route to get there. This helps to ensure that there are no last minute hiccups on the day of.

In addition, be sure to arrive on time for the interview. Missing a bus, missing a route, or even getting there late can be disconcerting and thus affect your approach to the interview.

Getting there with enough time to spare means you have enough time to relax and engage in calming exercises.

3) Think of Your Accomplishments

Creating a mental list of your accomplishments can help you feel more positive about your interview. 

Make a list of complex work challenges you’ve had to overcome and how you navigated them. Ensure to keep track of the skills you displayed in the resolution of such situations.

Another tip is to boost your self-confidence through self-talk. 

Remind yourself of your worth and tell yourself that you can do it. Positive self-talk is known to improve self-esteem, manage stress levels, and boost productivity.

Some Positive Affirmations to Boost Your Mental Readiness

• I am valuable and I will give my best in this interview.
• I am well-prepared and capable of answering questions thoughtfully.
• I am intelligent, confident and ready to ace this!
• The outcome of this interview does not determine my worth.

4) Physically Prepare

Preparing physically has a significant impact on how you feel mentally 

With AI, you can familiarize yourself with the interview format in advance, reducing the element of surprise that often causes stress. This results in a more relaxed and confident performance during the actual interview.

Another way to prepare physically is to get a good night’s rest. Interviewers typically form an opinion about a candidate within the first 7 minutes of the interview (Indeed). This means that if you appear to an interview looking sleepy, upset, disheveled, and mentally out of place, your chances of landing the role are drastically reduced. Remember that first impressions always last. 

5) Develop a Pre-Interview Routine

When candidates are mentally unprepared, they may stutter, show nerves, or simply be unable to articulate their value proposition.

Being adequately prepared is the ultimate secret to mental readiness for any interview. 

Some pre-interview techniques include:

• Reviewing notes: Try to recall notes you’ve taken to have before. 
• Deep breaths: Find a quiet place to be. Place one hand on your belly, just below your ribs. Place the other hand on your chest. Then inhale deeply, slowly. 
• Calming exercises: Calming exercises like stretches can help you feel more alert and active.
• Listening to music: Listening to your favorite song can help you relax before an interview.
• Listening to a motivational podcast: A motivational podcast can boost your self-esteem, thus increasing your confidence during the interview.

By consistently practicing these techniques, you’ll not only excel in your interviews but also develop valuable life skills that enhance your overall mental well-being. 

Why Preparing for An Interview is Important 

Preparing for an interview and not leaving it to chance is of utmost importance. Hiring managers typically assess applicants based on the non-verbal communication cues they give. 

You must have a positive body language, show confidence, and give warm expressions. All of these can only happen when you are mentally prepared.

According to data from The Ladders, 75% of hiring managers say that being too nervous is a common mistake made by candidates during interviews. Hence, even during the interview, you must remain mentally present and composed no matter how well or poorly you think the interview is going.

Ace Your Next Interview: Be Mentally Prepared 

Interviews are a learning experience. Every encounter, whether successful or not, adds to your growth. LightInterview is the all-in-one tool you need to impress the team at your next interview. If you want to be mentally ready, you need to practice with LightInterview now.