It’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Last week, we talked about career planning stress. Today we’re talking about job interview self-care. Interviewing is one of the most important parts of a job search. But stress can make interviewing harder. You might not be able to focus. You might have a harder time answering questions. You might make a negative first impression.
That’s why you should take time for self-care before a job interview. Self-care just means doing things that will help you feel healthy, happy, and confident. Self-care can happen the week before, the day before, or even the day of the interview. Here are some ideas for self-care before a job interview.
The Week Before
- Practice answering interview questions. You can do this with a trusted friend. Or you can do it in front of a video camera.
- Get plenty of rest and exercise before the interview day.
- Start using positive self-talk. Say words out loud or in your head that make you feel confident. For example: “I am well qualified for this job,” “I’m great at customer service,” “I’m a hard worker who will benefit this company.”
The Day Before
- Pack everything you will need for the interview. You won’t have to stress about it in the morning.
- Make sure your interview clothes are clean, pressed, and ready.
- Charge your phone or other electronics you might need.
- Plan ahead for an early night. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep before your interview.
The Morning Of
- Have a healthy meal or snack. Drink lots of water.
- Give yourself plenty of time to get ready.
- Take time to relax. Listen to calming music. Practice deep breathing. Or just sit quietly in a comfortable place for a little bit. This will help calm your nerves
Learn More About Job Interview Self-Care
The job interview is the most important part of a job search. That is why it’s also the most stressful. Use self-care to reduce as much of that stress as you can. The Virtual Job Coach can help you prepare for a job interview. Learn more about this topic in our course Preparing for a Job Interview.
- Self-Advocate Course (learn on your own)
- Partner Edition (for parents, support staff, or other partners)
- Instructor Edition (for transition classroom teachers and service providers)
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