How do you deal with anxiety about an interview?

The most effective way to deal with interview anxiety is to practice delivering answers under realistic pressure. Calming techniques like deep breathing help at the margins, but the core fix is closing the delivery gap through mock interviews that simulate follow-ups, time pressure, and observation. Most candidates see noticeable improvement after 3 to 5 realistic practice sessions.

Is it normal to have anxiety before an interview?

Yes. Research shows over 90% of candidates experience some form of interview anxiety. It is a normal neurological response to high-stakes evaluation. Your brain treats interviews as threats, triggering cortisol release that temporarily impairs clear thinking and articulate speech. Experiencing anxiety does not mean you are unprepared or unqualified.

What is the fear of interviewing called?

The clinical term for an extreme fear of interviews is interview anxiety or, in severe cases, ergophobia (fear of work-related situations). When interview anxiety becomes severe enough to prevent you from applying for jobs or attending interviews, it may overlap with social anxiety disorder. If anxiety is preventing you from pursuing opportunities, consider working with a mental health professional.

How many practice sessions does it take to reduce interview anxiety?

Most people notice a meaningful reduction in interview anxiety after 3 to 5 realistic mock interview sessions. The key word is realistic. Your practice needs to include unexpected follow-ups, time pressure, and the discomfort of being observed and evaluated. Each session builds counter-evidence for your nervous system.

Should you tell an interviewer you're nervous?

A brief acknowledgment can help. Something like 'I'm a bit nervous because I'm genuinely excited about this role' is honest and relatable. It reduces the cognitive load of trying to hide your anxiety, freeing up mental resources for your actual answers. Most interviewers respond with empathy. What matters is what you do after: take a breath and deliver your answer.

Does interview anxiety go away with experience?

Interview anxiety decreases with the right kind of experience, but it does not disappear entirely for most people. The key is that the experience must include interviews or realistic simulations, not just years in a role. A senior engineer who interviews once every three years may still experience significant anxiety. Regular practice produces a much weaker stress response.

What's the difference between interview anxiety and imposter syndrome?

Interview anxiety is a situational stress response triggered by evaluation, time pressure, and uncertainty. Imposter syndrome is a persistent belief that you do not deserve your achievements. They often overlap: interview anxiety can trigger imposter feelings, and imposter syndrome can amplify interview anxiety. Both respond well to evidence-based practice that proves you can perform.

Can you prepare too much for an interview?

You can over-prepare on content while under-preparing on delivery. If you have memorized 50 answers but never spoken them out loud under pressure, you are unbalanced. The ideal preparation split is roughly 30% content and 70% delivery. Quality of practice matters more than quantity of preparation.

Interview Anxiety: Why It Happens and How to Beat It

Interview anxiety is the stress response that causes your brain to freeze, ramble, or blank on answers you know perfectly well during job interviews. It affects over 90% of candidates and stems not from lack of preparation but from a delivery gap: the distance between knowing the right answer and communicating it clearly under real pressure. The fix is practice under realistic conditions, not just calming techniques.

Practice Interview Questions Under Realistic Pressure