How to Calm Nerves

I very much struggle with pre-interview nerves, and was hoping to get your thoughts on how you prevent nerves from hindering your performance. For reference I have autism, so my nerves likely hinder my performance more than average - which is my I am so concerned.

I have an upcoming interview with Citi and Evercore (just first rounds), and although I have been studying like a MRer, I cannot decrease the nerves. (I messed up the name of something major in my KKR interview which ended all hopes for continuing). 

I am so worried about technicals mainly - LBOs and merger models are my weakest area, and I know that often times analysts will keep on increasing the difficulty of the techs until you mess up. 

I have met with 25 Citi investment bankers and have strong answers to the top 50 non-techs and know the reasoning and solutions of the top 250 techs, but... Christ I am so worried and this is for only a first round which is on Wednesday. 

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I can understand the struggle with pre-interview nerves, for a while I struggled the same way suffering from negative mental health with depression and anxiety and would always affect my performance too, best advice I can give outside of just taking deep breaths, making sure you practice a lot before hand, would personally advise that in this situation the best thing to do is to mentally take a step back, try and gain a fresh look on the situation and remember a few key things. 

When you go for an interview, the interviewer is also wanting to find someone suitable for the role, they are still human, they will want to see you in your best light to know they are potentially hiring someone who is suitable for the role. And I think positive mentality will go a long way here, as you have said its the first round so take it at a steady pace and don't overthink, in this situation overthinking is what hurts us the most.

To be invited to an interview means they have seen something that they like about you so take that as a positive strength that you can build upon :) 
Best of luck with the interviews you will do great!

 

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