How to reduce pre-interview jitters

[Tre Cool]

Any ideas? I know preparation will help a lot and I'm doing this, but I'm still quite nervous.

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[Billy Rubin]

Just remember this: You have the knowledge to succeed in your interview. They are inviting you because they know you have what it takes, and they want to be sure. Your confidence and your personality are your ticket now. So you have nothing to be nervous about, because those things belong to you and only you.

Any ideas? I know preparation will help a lot and I'm doing this, but I'm still quite nervous.

 

[Tre Cool]

thanks...yeah i've just got to stay calm...i feel like so much is riding on this interview cuz i'm not sure if i'll get any more.

 

[Tre Cool]

btw, do you all memorize your "tell me about yourself" talk?

 

[tubercle]

take a beta blocker.

 

[bwells46]

btw, do you all memorize your "tell me about yourself" talk?

I have several generic key points that I throw in. I read up on the school/company and then fit my attributes to what they're looking for. This is probably one of the best questions you can be asked in an interview because it really gives you a chance to sell yourself and show how you would be an asset to the school/company.

 

[trishaaa]

take a beta blocker.

Quite a few of the docs I work with took Inderal or some other beta blocker before interviews. My friend took it before his wedding too. Seems to help a lot of people.

 

[zurned]

Any ideas? I know preparation will help a lot and I'm doing this, but I'm still quite nervous.

i read jokes in the waiting room

 

[O'doyleRules]

Shots all around!!! Thats why they make a bloody mary you know -- its a breakfast drink

 

[Minion677]

one of my friends would go to the bathroom right before his interview, throw down 2 vodka shots, and then chase it with a few breath mints. anyone else do this?

 

[bwells46]

one of my friends would go to the bathroom right before his interview, throw down 2 vodka shots, and then chase it with a few breath mints. anyone else do this?

 

[MrBurns10]

I know what you mean about the nerves. It's funny, I was feeling pretty confident about my interviewing ability and than I WENT ON THIS WEBSITE! 😡 I mean SDN is great, but it sure has made me question EVERYTHING about myself. My suit, my hair, my answers to questions. Now I'm focused on trying to relax more before my first interview on Friday. I think the key is just to go in there with your head held high and maintain the ability to joke about things, including yourself (if you mess up). Everything happens for a reason, so if your interview goes great and you get in, great! If it happens not to, you weren't meant to go there anyway. But that's just the philosophy I try to follow. Good luck!!!

 

[nebrfan]

 

[45408]

or you could take some shots of peppermint schnapps and just forego the breathmints. 😀

Honestly, when I actually got to the interview, I really wasn't nervous at all. I have yet to find out if that's a good thing or a bad thing. 😛

 

[drmota]

one of my friends would go to the bathroom right before his interview, throw down 2 vodka shots, and then chase it with a few breath mints. anyone else do this?

you being serious? thats really not such a bad idea.
-mota

 

[CoffeeFreak]

So you are preparing for an interview that will probably determine your life career. I'd reconsider why drinking would be a good idea before an interview.

 

[Bluntman]

So you are preparing for an interview that will probably determine your life career. I'd reconsider why drinking would be a good idea before an interview.

That's precisely why I want to be relaxed for the occasion. If a drink or two will help, then why not!

 

[Law2Doc]

That's precisely why I want to be relaxed for the occasion. If a drink or two will help, then why not!

Don't make it into a bigger pressure situation than it really is. It is really just the first stop in an enormously long road of interviews --- for med school, residencies, jobs. In fact, this is probably of lesser importance than the others, it just seems bigger because it's the hurdle you hit first. So relax, be animated and interesting, and get yourself into med school. There will be plenty of alcohol waiting for you when you celebrate your admission.

 

[JustR]

Just remember this: You have the knowledge to succeed in your interview. They are inviting you because they know you have what it takes, and they want to be sure. Your confidence and your personality are your ticket now. So you have nothing to be nervous about, because those things belong to you and only you.

👍

 

[loveumms]

Realize you are there for a reason! They didn't give you an interview by accident - they are interested in you.

Remember its not just the school interviewing you ... you are also interviewing the school. If you keep that in mind at least you will feel confident.

Also, once you get there and sit down all the jitters will probably go away.

I love the shot idea. Not that I would recommend it but, hey if it helps then why not?

 

[JustR]

I love the shot idea. Not that I would recommend it but, hey if it helps then why not?

that's what I was thinking...

 

[45408]

Don't make it into a bigger pressure situation than it really is. It is really just the first stop in an enormously long road of interviews --- for med school, residencies, jobs. In fact, this is probably of lesser importance than the others, it just seems bigger because it's the hurdle you hit first. So relax, be animated and interesting, and get yourself into med school. There will be plenty of alcohol waiting for you when you celebrate your admission.

or after you take your first exam 😛 UWisc has a "Wheel of Inebriation" that they spin after they take an exam if they can't figure out where to go that night

 

[drhobie7]

Masturbation

 

[DropkickMurphy]

 

[medhacker]

Any ideas? I know preparation will help a lot and I'm doing this, but I'm still quite nervous.

👍 PRAY!

 

[werd]

Any ideas? I know preparation will help a lot and I'm doing this, but I'm still quite nervous.

Beta-blockers! might help any wide-angle glaucoma too

 

[Risa]

Hey medgirl,

I've got my first interview on Thursday and I've got some jitters simmering too. On the phone today, my mom said that if I start to get really anxious beforehand, the best thing to do is focus on something outside of myself: the grain of the wood on a table, for example. Taking some slow deep breaths and moving my focus to something other than me for a minute does sound very calming. Give it a try... and best of luck!

 

[prana_md]

no way, beta-blocker ... hands down.
It may seem freaky and hyper-pharmaceutical, it totally works.
I have anxiety, and I while I'm learning non-drug ways to deal with it (meditation, yoga, breathing) a beta-blocker can work wonders in a tight spot. It's not like Valium ... you won't feel stoned or anything. Just less jittery. More like you can think in compete sentences ... and totally disregard the interviewer's tie 😉

 

[sharmila]

r u serious??i am so averse to taking any kind of a drug/medication for anxiety or for that matter anything less than an emergency. but hey,arent these drugs harmful to your body?any side effects,addictions etc..i dont mind giving them a try cos i am very anxiety prone during interviews, but i really want to know if they harm in any way..do lemme me know..🙂i dont have any medical related pathologies as such!!

no way, beta-blocker ... hands down.
It may seem freaky and hyper-pharmaceutical, it totally works.
I have anxiety, and I while I'm learning non-drug ways to deal with it (meditation, yoga, breathing) a beta-blocker can work wonders in a tight spot. It's not like Valium ... you won't feel stoned or anything. Just less jittery. More like you can think in compete sentences ... and totally disregard the interviewer's tie 😉

 

[deleted77919]

r u serious??

I would hope that no one on here would actually advocate taking drugs not prescribed to you . . . Just relax and remember that if you got an interview invite they are interested in you, stick to your guns, hold your head high and everything will work out for the best. Could I use any more platitudes/cliches?

 

[trishaaa]

r u serious??i am so averse to taking any kind of a drug/medication for anxiety or for that matter anything less than an emergency. but hey,arent these drugs harmful to your body?any side effects,addictions etc..i dont mind giving them a try cos i am very anxiety prone during interviews, but i really want to know if they harm in any way..do lemme me know..🙂i dont have any medical related pathologies as such!!

Beta blockers aren't harmful. I don't know what side effects they have, but the majority of the docs I work with are all for taking them in anxiety-provoking situations.

Benzodiazepines, on the other hand, can have some pretty wacky side effects and are prone to abuse/addiction. Stay away from the Valium, Ativan, Xanax. Klonopin, etc. on interview day. You'll be all whacked out, especially if you have never taken them.

 

[MaryWrathers]

Any ideas? I know preparation will help a lot and I'm doing this, but I'm still quite nervous.

-listen to soothing music
-go to a quite place. The more you are around the other interviewees, the more you will be sizing them up
-make sure to eat plenty beforehand. You do not want a growling, empty stomach
-write down good qualities about yourself while waiting. It will make yourself feel better and calmer
-don't have a ton of sugar-related food items beforehand. It might make you fidget
-tell yourself you have everything to gain. Remind yourself of the positives in everything.
-have no fear.