Things I Do To Stay Calm Before and During a Phone Interview

How not to have a meltdown

I was recently interviewed for a year long radio fellowship outside of NYC. I applied to the position last month on a whim just two days before the deadline.

And then I received an email saying that an editor wanted to interview me over the phone. I was excited. And then I panicked. It wasn’t like I could physically go to that city and dress up and impress them. I had to use my voice and my enthusiasm to hopefully get the editor to like me.

I hope it came across as genuine because I really like the publication I applied to. They do amazing work and if I get to learn from that team I know it will help me with my career.

But I still panicked a little on the inside. I eventually did a few things that helped me stay calm. If you feel like you need your mind to settle during a phone interview so that you can stay concentrated… you’re in luck. Mainly because I have anxiety and need self soothing tips to make it through life.

Here are a few of my best tips:

1- Pace around if it helps. When I have panic attacks or feel nervous, it’s almost as if I’m filled with a nervous energy that I can’t seem to shake off. So I find a calm place where I can still concentrate and talk on the phone while being interviewed.

2- If there’s too much visual stimulus when you’re on the phone, use those eye covers people use for getting sleep. Or just close your eyes.

3- If fidgeting and moving around freaks you out or makes you nervous, sit up against a wall. Sit on a pillow if you think you’ll have to sit for a while. This way you’re supported but you’re not slouching, which means you’ll still be alert during the interview.

4- Have a relaxing drink nearby. It’s tempting as hell for that drink to be wine… but this is an interview. And I need to move the hell out before the end of 2018. Have coffee, tea, lemon water, or anything else nearby that helps you feel better. Especially if you feel like your mouth gets dry when you’re nervous.

5- Do a little dance. It helps with the jitters. I usually listen to merengue and dance that. It honestly helps. So shake it out.

What are some ways that you try to stay calm during a phone interview? It’s not easy staying calm and it’s also not easy going through the job hunting process. So don’t beat yourself up if you get overwhelmed and nervous more often than not.

Do you have any tips that you use for not panicking or self sabotaging an interview?

Share them! The more we help each other the better.

Job hunting would be a lot less nerve wrecking and anxiety inducing if we all passed along some wisdom collaborated on ways to get through it.

Tell me your calming tips, and thank you for reading! I’ve linked two articles to this post that give some more insight into negotiating higher rates and reaching for those higher paying/better known publications. It’s worth a shot to just try!

Also, cross your fingers for me. I’m job hunting.

❤

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