Interview Stress

by Bharath
(India)

Interview Stress - My Solution

Stress in life causes panic and obsessive thoughts. It distorts reality.

It drives away our confidence. And in highly stressful situations it makes us lose our hope. The only possible outcome when you're stressed is failure.

I think stress arises for these reasons

Previous failures and fear of the same happening again.
Shattered hope after the end of a relationship
Above all fear of the unknown in life.

My Presentation Stress

Now I am employee of reputed software company. I am now comfortable doing project presentation and in board meetings.

But when I was an undergraduate I was terrified of doing presentations. I had a bad experience in my first presentation which I just couldn't forget.

This fear carried on throughout my time at college.

During final year were placed with employers for a few months. And we had to compete for the best placements. I was an above average student in my class so was expecting no problems. But I didn't get placed after a couple of companies had visited the campus.

I would always get through the preliminary test easily. But would fumble the interview.

Why did I flop the interviews? Because I couldn't stop thinking about the failure in my first presentation.

Somehow I managed to get through though ...

I worked well and gained confidence at the company for 2 months. Then one day I had to explain some technical material to group of juniors because the supervisor was absent. I did it easily! And answered their question without any problems!

Afterwards I tried to work out why this had gone so much better than my other presentations.

I got stressed in the other interviews because I built up the interviewer in my mind. I thought they knew everything.

Changing my Thinking

Now I realise they too are just simple human beings. Being with my co-workers during the placement. Gaining confidence. And asking their advice. Gradually put my thoughts right.

After my change in mind set I attended second phase of placement and got placed with 5 companies!

My advice? I suggest its better to give yourself a fresh start with each new situation. Don't have a fixed mind set about how things will turn out. I learnt this the hard way. So keep an open mind and maybe you won't have to!