5 Ways to Relax Before an Interview  

When preparing for a job or study interview, it’s easy to let nerves get the best of you. Regardless of how much preparation you put in or how qualified you are, the pressure to make a good impression is always there – and this can sometimes hinder your performance. If you find job interviews particularly stressful, the best thing to do is take some time to relax before your interview, so you can enter feeling confident.

Grab a Coffee

A couple of basic tips for interviewees that we’ve all heard is to ensure you know the location of the interview, and to arrive early. Give yourself an extra hour or so to have a wander around the location and find somewhere you can sit and enjoy a hot drink – the warmth will feel comforting, and you’ve got plenty of time to yourself to enjoy a snack, and read a book or call a friend. By the time your drink is finished, you’ll be ready to head off.

Book a Spa Treatment

If you’ve got a particularly pressuring interview, a relaxing spa treatment might just be the ticket to have you feeling your best self. If you’re off to an interview for a city job, the Moroccan Hammam spa at Harrods has a range of treatments ranging in duration from 40 minutes to 3 hours, depending on how much time you have – ideal if you’ve been travelling far for your interview and have a day to spare beforehand.

Catch a Movie

A couple of hours of escapism can do wonders for pre-interview jitters and help take your mind off things. Again, be sure to choose a cinema within easy distance of your interview location, and think wisely about choosing a genre – a harrowing sci-fi dystopia probably won’t help your nerves much! However, a good comedy can help to loosen you up and have you entering your interview with a smile.

Get a Manicure or Haircut

If a spa treatment is a little out of your budget, another small beauty treatment can do just as well. A trip to the hairdresser can do wonders for helping you feel confident for your interview, and your stylist can help you choose a hairstyle that complements your interview outfit. Alternatively, making a good impression with beautifully manicured hands goes down a treat, particularly if you are prone to nail biting when nervous.

Exercise

Get a natural boost by doing some light exercise before your interview and get those endorphins going. It’s worth ensuring that you have a space to shower and change clothes before heading off, but some light cardio like cycling or jogging; or more stretch-based exercises like yoga can loosen you up and use up some extra adrenaline.