How to stop being so nervous before interview
Sophomore at a target with an EB interview tomorrow, losing my mind with stress. I’m prepared, I’ve done so many mocks, and I have more tomorrow, but I can’t stop the anxiety and heart pounding. Ofc I’ve done interviews before but for some reason it just does not get easier for me. I’m scared of being so nervous I fumble my words, forget stuff, or not knowing something, obviously this is all normal to be worried about but I feel like it’s genuinely taking a toll on my readiness. If I miss a tech because I couldn’t think straight bc of nervousness, there goes any chance of a SD. HELP
Just remember that the interviewer wants you to crush it. They are not there to trick you and it is not meant to be an adversarial interaction. They just want to have a real conversation with a real person, not a bot reciting scripted responses from memory. So just try to relax and be yourself and if you're really as prepared as you sound then you'll do great.
Thank you :)
Speaking from the other side doing this right now, 100% agree.
One piece of advice is to take a deep breath and slow down your talking speed. It can help you focus on what you're going to say in a clear and concise manner.
Get a good nights sleep and have a clear head before the interview. Make sure to arrive at the interview early. Don't try to learn too much new material the night before - focus on the core fundamentals that you have reviewed a hundred times and keep practicing your answers. Use IB Vine or the FinprepAI app if you need to quickly brush up on technicals. Finally, stay confident but not arrogant and be intentional with your answers. Goodluck!
Stop drinking caffeine was huge for me. Shit makes any stress a million times worse. Also, break down this elitist complex that these people interviewing you are godsent. You're two mutuals at the table no matter what logos they have. Ofc they're smarter than you - no shit they have several months/years of experience compared to you so don't feel obligated to know more than what the guides tell you. If its your first interview, then this will be hard to realize, but tbh after like a dozen, you start looking at them like regular people.
Absolutely echo the point on coffee. Would also add that if you consume nicotine (cig, vape, zyn, etc) cut this out for at least a few days before your interview as it is the recipe for high blood pressure and anxiety.
Also side note that as long as you’re prepared don’t engage in the thinking that your life is over if you don’t get thru to next stage. Everything in life happens for a reason so showcase your skills and personality and if they don’t take you then it is for the best for your long term career. This attitude usually comes more naturally when you have multiple interviews because you’re more chill about them all.
i do not smoke but used to have a singular cig before an interview, is this actually contributing to worse panic during the interview?
I was like you when I interviewed for internships. I lost track of how many interviews I blew, to be completely honest. I couldn't relax, because I was trying to be someone I was not. I don't know how much this resonates, but I had serious imposter syndrome before the interview even started. My advice would be to take your time on each question, answer to the best of your ability, and be yourself as much as possible on all of the fit questions. I am too far removed to know how the process works right now, but I think if you put all the pressure in the world on yourself to get every single tech question right, you will hinder your chances of operating at your best. Take a deep breath, realize you may miss one or two, but if it happens, the world wont end.
I remember how nervous and scared I was going into internship interviews, but for what its worth, I got really good offers when I became more comfortable and confident in myself, and I lost offers where I crushed every single technical but pretended to be someone I wasnt.
You're at a target, you're interviewing at an EB, I have no doubt you are smart and hardworking. Do the best you can and if it doesnt work out, you can always try again. Many of the people who have careers in banking do not break into banking until later in life. And the people who really want PE will find a way to make it work even if they initially cannot break into IB.
Good luck
Thank you, very kind. That made me feel better
Great advice and I think a lot of people resonate with this on all fronts.
Bomb your first intergiew
Watch your breath
Take a couple tabs
This is pretty niche and definitely not for everyone, but before interviews, I found that taking a small shot of vodka or tequila helped me feel less nervous and more focused on what I wanted to say. It worked for me, but of course, do what’s best for you!
alcohol and adderall
If it's in person, cut out caffeine (for me, it makes me jittery). Stick with water and don't shy away from bathroom breaks in between (I always found these to be a nice break to mentally reset before the next interviewer). Have a napkin in your pocket if your hands get really sweaty when you're nervous (I am like this).
Good luck!
nails
If you are prepared you have nothing to worry about. It is natural to be a bit nervous, and it is okay. Like the late great Kobe Bryant said, he is never nervous because he knows that he prepared all he possibly can! So when I get nervous, I know it is because I haven’t prepared as thoroughly as I could have. Good luck!
Absolute last resort is beta blockers, have friends that would take them for big presentations in front of senior people.
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