5 ways to practice mindfulness before your next job interview
5 ways to practice mindfulness before your next job interview
As we settle into mid-2021, many of us are eagerly working through our post-pandemic to-do lists. Hugging loved ones, venturing outside of the neighborhood, and planning mask-free group gatherings are surely priorities for most people. And, if you were one of the millions of people that lost their jobs during the pandemic (or, were one of the many who had a massive, life changing revelation about their career in 2020), then prepping for your next job interview may also be a post-pandemic priority.
Just reading “job interview” makes my skin crawl—so if you’re feeling the same way, then know this kind of reaction is totally normal. From as early as I can remember, I was taught to slap a high stakes label onto job interviews. I was under the impression that if I wasn’t riddled with crippling anxiety before a job interview, then I wasn’t doing it right. Knowing that there were a variety of simple ways for me to blow an interview--from showing up late to not wearing the right attire (and inevitably sweating through it) to generally just not being liked by the interviewer--made it seemingly impossible to feel any sense of calm before an interview. No wonder so many of us have adopted this narrative that we aren’t good at interviewing!
But that’s just it--thinking that we’re not good at interviewing is just a story we’ve learned to tell ourselves. And some of my favorite stories include a plot twist: What if we could perceive job interviews as being more riskless? What if there was a way to feel more secure and comfortable before and during an interview? What if there were a variety of simple ways to help nail your interview AND help you generally feel more grounded and relaxed? The key to this is MINDFULNESS. So, in addition to practicing your interview questions, here are 5 way to practice and integrate mindfulness into your next interview:
Breathing Techniques: Also known as pranayama, breathing techniques are ways to use our breath to promote relaxation while improving our physical health. I’m a firm believer that the breath acts like a mirror for our emotions. So, when our breath is labored, or we’ve forgotten to take a deep exhale, that's usually a good indicator that we’re feeling anxious or stressed. Inviting a relaxing breathing technique into our body (like the 3-part breath or this series of breathing techniques for anxiety) into our interview preparation routine is a wonderful way to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and help our minds and bodies rest. Best part about breathing? We ALL do it and it can be accessed at any time!
Mindful Wardrobe: First impressions are important in an interview, and when it comes to your interview outfit, the “rule of thumb” is to dress-to-impress while making sure your outfit reflects the company culture. AND, it’s important that your outfit reflects who you truly are while ensuring you feel comfortable in your own skin. When picking an interview outfit, you can practice mindfulness by wearing something that makes you feel comfortable, vibrant, and confident all at the same time. Comb through your wardrobe and look for the following items:
Something that was gifted to you from someone you love
Something that brings you joy, or maybe even some luck in the past
Something that includes your favorite color (my favorite thing to wear to an interview is something blue, as blue represents the throat chakra, the chakra responsible for communication and your ability to speak your personal truth!)
3. Active the Senses: One of my favorite ways to calm my mind and liberate myself from interview fears is to distract my buzzing mind with some good ol’ fashion sensory stimulation. Right before you walk into the interview, flood your taste buds, ears, eyes, and nose with items that can stimulate the senses in positive and relaxing ways, including a delectable snack (like fruit or chocolate); music that calms you (or hypes you up!); pictures of loved ones, or a funny meme or video to get you giggling; and things that smell lovely (lavender oil and sage are my favorites).
4. Talk To Yourself Lovingly: The biggest thing that psyches me out before a job interview is convincing myself that the story that I learned to tell myself (I should be anxious, I might blow this interview, etc.) is actually true. if we’re not mindful, our Thoughts can easily become our reality and self-fulfilling and self-sabotaging behavior, which is why it’s really important to be mindful of to what you’re telling yourself about yourself leading up to the interview. You may have moments where you feel doubtful about your odds of landing this position, or fearful about how the interview might go. But rather than continuing to fuel those thoughts (“there’s no way I’m their best candidate” / “I hate job interviews”), instead, change the narrative and talk to yourself lovingly (“I am absolutely perfect for this position” / “Interviewing for jobs is easy and I love it”). Repeat these positive affirmations over and over.
5. Practice Gratitude: The second thing that psyches me out before a job interview is my attachment to the outcome. The fear associated with “what if I don’t get the job?” can be so powerful that it totally consumes us. Instead, try using mindfulness to loosen the grip of expectations with a gratitude practice. Rather than worrying about the outcome, try finding gratitude in the opportunity to practice interviewing and all the good that comes with it, including the chance to share your story and stretch yourself in a new direction. Ask yourself, “what are 3 things you can be grateful for, even if you don’t get the job?”
BONUS: More times than not, we’re worried about what interviewers are going to ask us in the interview and how we’re going to respond. However, its equally as important to come prepared with mindful questions that you can ask in an interview. Click the button below to download my FREE 5-page worksheet to help you formulate unique questions to ask during your next job interview!
Lastly, one of my specialities as a leadership and mindfulness coach is helping others navigate their way through their careers--whether it be prepping for an interview, gaining the courage to ask for a promotion, or taking the next step towards an exit plan--I help individuals harness the transformative power of mindfulness and leadership so they can feel empowered every step of the way! If you’re interested in pursuing 1:1 coaching, then get in touch or book a free coaching consultation!
Thanks for reading, - Loretta
