Have you ever practiced answers for a job interview perfectly, only to find yourself overwhelmed by stress the moment you step into the room? Many candidates don’t lose job opportunities because of a lack of skills—they stumble due to nervousness in the first minute, leaving an unfair impression. Feeling anxious before an interview is natural, even for experienced professionals. What matters is how you manage it, not how you avoid it.
Heba Abdelkarim, an expert in self-training and personal development, shares theoretical insights and practical tools to help you stay in control and present the best version of yourself.
1. Accept Natural Anxiety
Feeling nervous before an interview is completely normal and does not mean weakness or lack of skill.
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Scientifically, stress triggers hormone release that helps your brain focus if managed properly.
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Acknowledging your anxiety gives you control and lets you channel it into preparation and persistence, reducing mistakes and increasing confidence.
2. Smart Preparation
Good preparation reduces fear of the unknown and gives a sense of control.
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Research the company, prepare answers to common questions, and review your CV thoroughly.
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Scientifically, preparation activates brain regions responsible for memory and analysis, helping you respond calmly and accurately.
3. Eat the Right Foods
What you eat before an interview directly affects your mood and mental performance.
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Fruits, vegetables, and nuts help calm nerves and improve focus.
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Avoid sugars and stimulants that can increase anxiety.
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Drinking water and herbal tea keeps you refreshed and alert.
4. Plan Your Interview Day
Planning your day reduces stress and gives a sense of control.
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Ensure adequate sleep, schedule your travel time, and plan a relaxing activity afterward.
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Planning lowers cortisol levels, making you calmer and more confident during the interview.
5. Seek Support from Loved Ones
Talking to a friend or family member before the interview boosts confidence and reduces anxiety.
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Encouraging words increase oxytocin levels, calming nerves and enhancing a sense of safety.
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Social support strengthens your perception of control and comfort.
6. Practice Deep Breathing and Relaxation
Deep breathing and relaxation calm the nervous system and improve oxygen flow to the brain.
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Walk outdoors or stretch slowly before entering the interview to clear your mind.
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These techniques reduce heart rate and trigger the body’s relaxation response, enhancing mental presence.
7. Treat the Interview as a Conversation
Viewing the interview as a natural conversation rather than a stressful test lowers anxiety.
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This mindset shift improves focus and attention.
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Remember: the interviewer is looking for the right fit just as much as you are.
8. Show Clear Confidence
Displaying confidence—even if you feel nervous—trains your brain to feel secure.
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Maintain good posture, smile, and use calm body language.
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Confident behaviors increase dopamine, boosting calmness and control while leaving a positive impression.
9. Trust in God
After preparation and effort, placing trust in God brings peace of mind and reduces psychological tension.
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Spiritual faith is associated with lower stress levels and improved focus.
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Combining thorough preparation, stress management, and prayer prepares both your mind and heart for confident decision-making.
Sample Prayers for a Job Interview
Calming Anxiety Before the Interview:
“My Lord, expand my chest, ease my task, untie the knot from my tongue so they may understand my words, and open for me the doors of knowledge by Your grace. Make every difficulty easy, and do not forget the knowledge You have taught me, O Most Merciful.”
“O Allah, I trust in You and surrender my affairs to You. There is no refuge or safety from You except with You. Make my entry and exit sincere and guide me to what is good.”
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from going astray or causing others to go astray, from oppression, and from all harm around me.”
For Success in the Interview:
“O Allah, grant me all good, immediate and delayed, what I know and what I do not know, and protect me from all evil. Guide me to what You love and approve.”
“O Allah, grant me a righteous job that spares me from asking others and facilitates my affairs in this life and the next. Give me the strength to perform my duties sincerely and efficiently.”
“O Generous, Compassionate, Owner of the Kingdom, if my sustenance is in the heavens, bring it down; if it is in the earth, bring it forth; if it is distant, bring it near; and if it is difficult, make it easy, and provide for me sustenance that spares me from needing anyone but You.”
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