Interview: Managing Nerves & Uncertainty

October 9, 2025

Before the Interview

Use these helpful tips and resources to prepare for the technical and logistical aspects of your interview.
Practice builds confidence! Meet with your supports to get comfortable with communicating how your skills, experiences, and accomplishments make you a good fit for the position.
If accommodations for an interview might help you thrive, use the Accommodations and Disclosure resource to support your planning.

Remind yourself: this is a conversation, not an interrogation. Employers want to learn about you, not trick you.
Instead of “What if they ask something I don’t know?” try: “If I get an unexpected question, I’ll pause, think, and do my best—I am prepared and capable.”
Shift your mindset from “I hope they like me” to “I’m going to be myself and see if this is a good fit.”
Remember: nerves are not an inherent problem; they are an indicator of caring and can help you be vigilant and motivated in your preparation—try thanking them for their help.

Try box breathing: Inhale for 4 seconds, pause for 4, exhale for 4, pause for 4 and repeat until you’re feeling more grounded than when you started.
Notice any tension in your body and direct your breathing to those places with the intention of releasing and relaxing the muscles.
Make space to sleep and rest before the interview.
Avoid consuming foods before the interview that you know increase your experience of anxiety—for some, this might include high levels of caffeine and sugar.

Close your eyes, imagine yourself in the space with the number of people you expect to interview with, and picture yourself answering confidently and connecting with the interviewer(s).

Authenticity builds rapport and supports genuine connection with others. Let your personality shine through.
Think about what others appreciate about you including positive feedback you’ve received from friends, family, colleagues, and supervisors.
Dress like yourself: pick something you feel comfortable in that is appropriate for the occasion.

Take a deep breath before answering and pace your response by remembering to breathe throughout.
Use anchoring techniques: hold a pen, wear a comfort item, or notice your connection to your chair or floor to stay grounded.

It’s okay to pause before responding or say, “That’s a great question, let me think for a moment.” They are expecting a human, not a robot.
Make sure you understand the question before responding and ask for clarification if needed—this can show confidence and engagement.

You won’t have perfect answers for everything — employers care about your thought process, not perfection.

Jot down key points or examples beforehand using minimal words. Taking brief notes during the interview and glancing at notes is perfectly acceptable in many situations (be sure you’re not reading off a sheet or GenAI notes the entire time).
Remember: you’re assessing fit too. Prepare 1–2 questions to ask at the end of the interview that will help you understand if this is an opportunity you’d like to pursue.

Write down what you think went well. Reflect on your preparation and stress management strategies, your responses and the way you interacted with the interviewers.
With self-compassion, identify areas you’d like to improve and practice for your next interview, including strategies to work with nerves.

Plan something enjoyable afterward — this helps with any residual stress and can associate the process with something pleasant.

If you feel stuck in worry or would like to debrief, reach out to a career advisor at SSC or in your faculty.