How To Not Be Nervous on Job Interviews

A couple days ago, I had a job interview. Nothing to special.

I walked up to the receptionist, introduced myself, filled out some paperwork, and waited.

I saw the person that was interviewing me — a very sweet lady. We had cool conversation. Not sure if I’ll get the job, that doesn’t matter.

The only thing that matters is that I wasn’t nervous at all.

Not when I was walking up there. Not seeing the receptionist. Not introducing myself. Not talking myself up. Or even leaving.

I was really calm. Zen like, almost.

This is a new feeling for me.

Cause I used to be very, very shy. Very quiet.

And job interviews used to be NERVE WREAKING!

When I was in my early 20’s, I used shake uncontrollably, mumble, sweat, forget what was on my resume, repeat myself constantly.

It was embarrassing.

I dunno how I got jobs or internships in the past — cause I was a wreck.

Honestly, getting a job in my early 20s was a up hill battle. And being a shy kid with a physical disability didn’t help.

… I shook folks hands with the left hand, cause it’s comfortable for me, I mumbled when I talked (I’ve had speech therapy for years. In fact, I still practice the same exercises to this day). My disability limits me to certain jobs — can’t really climb ladders or anything like that…

Despite many setbacks (over 200 job interviews in counting) I’m able to hold down jobs. My current job I’ve held down for 4 years now, and last one before it was 5 years.

That means a lot to me cause I remember I was let go from a job after a couple hours of getting it. Damn, what a time.

So, how do you get to a point where you’re not nervous on job interviews??

The following are all things that I’ve tried to decrease my nervousness in job interviews…

1. Improv Comedy and Public Speaking. I have a whole post on the benefits of improv comedy on my professional and personal life. In terms of job interviews, I would go to a improv jam or go to a Toastmasters gathering the day before the job interview. I got better at impromptu speeches, thinkin’ on my feet. This helps a ton cause it got the pre interview jitters out.
2. Practice a lot at home. I call these vibe videos. It’s where I talk to my phone and talk about anything. How my day went, my life story, what I did that day, etc. I even speak Spanish (oh did I mention I’m learning Spanish for 2023!). Usually I do 1 minute a day. It really helps with my speech.
3. Get a social job. My last two jobs were super customer facing. I’m either talking to a customer on the phone or there’s someone’s in front of me. Currently, I’m clocking in at 40 hours a week — talking to customers. Sometimes I go home, and my jaw is sore from all that talking. It got so bad that I needed to have a water bottle by my desk cause I was talking so much. And it gets worse when you’re training somebody. My mouth is going a mile and minute — I feel like the Flash.
4. Go Out — a lot. I've said many many times before that I was very shy video game geek. I used have trouble talking to cashiers, waiters, homeless people, bartenders, you name it. For many years, I wanted to stay inside on the computer, and be in my own den. But I forced myself to go outside. I turned from a video game geek to a street kid. Even though, I wasn’t a hoodlum or homeless — I was practicing my communication skills. Still till this day I do it.

So there you go. I can’t believe I beat my nervousness. And am utterly shocked at my guts. I thought job interviews were always gonna be the bane of my existence, and I would barely get past this. It was like a level 5 Mario boss, I swear.

I truly hope someone finds this post — and it helps you.

Cause it really did help me.

I have good relationships, a job, and very more confidence in myself — more than I thought I ever would.

If you need more advice, please read the rest of my blog, I’ve been obsessed with self improvement for a decade plus, and I have an interesting perspective cause I’m black, short, and have a physical disability.

Also — I love learning new stuff and writing about various topics.

Thanks for reading!

P.S. You can tweet me or connect with me on LinkedIn.