Interview nerves are normal, here’s how to handle them and come across at your best
If you’re currently interviewing, whether that’s for your first role or your next career step, let me start with this: feeling nervous is completely normal.
Even the most confident, experienced professionals get interview nerves. The difference is not that they don’t feel them, it’s that they’ve learned how to manage them.
This has been front of my mind recently because my son is currently interviewing for degree apprenticeship positions. For him, this is his first real exposure to formal interviews, assessment centres, and being questioned by hiring managers who control the outcome. It’s exciting, but it’s also daunting.
Watching him go through the process has been a powerful reminder of what candidates at all levels experience, and how much the right preparation and mindset can change everything.
First, reframe what an interview actually is
One of the biggest causes of nerves is how interviews are perceived. Many candidates see them as an interrogation or a test they can fail.
In reality, an interview is a two-way conversation.
Yes, the hiring manager wants to assess your skills, experience, and potential, but they also want you to succeed. They are not trying to catch you out. They are trying to understand who you are, how you think, and whether you could see yourself working together.
This was one of the first things I explained to my son. The moment he stopped seeing interviews as something to survive, and started seeing them as a discussion, his confidence improved noticeably.
Preparation creates calm
Confidence doesn’t come from memorising perfect answers. It comes from knowing you’ve done the work.
Good preparation means:
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Understanding the role and why it exists
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Knowing what the company does and how they describe themselves
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Being clear on your own examples, achievements, and motivations
For my son, this meant talking through likely questions and helping him structure answers using real examples from school, part-time work, and projects. He didn’t need years of experience; he needed clarity.
For experienced candidates, the same rule applies. If you know your own story, your nerves have far less power.
Slow down, you’re allowed to think
One of the most common mistakes nervous candidates make is rushing. They feel pressure to respond instantly, which can lead to rambling or forgetting key points.
You are allowed to pause.
Taking a moment to think before answering shows composure, not weakness. A calm, considered response always comes across better than a fast, unfocused one.
Remember what hiring managers are really looking for
Hiring managers are rarely searching for perfection. They are looking for:
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Someone who is genuine
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Someone who can communicate clearly
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Someone who shows enthusiasm and a willingness to learn
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Someone they would feel comfortable working with
You don’t need to know everything. You do need to be honest, engaged, and prepared.
Nerves mean you care, and that’s a good thing
Trying to eliminate nerves entirely is unrealistic. The goal isn’t to feel nothing, it’s to stop nerves from controlling how you come across.
A bit of nervous energy shows that you care about the opportunity. When channelled properly, it can actually help you perform better.
Supporting my son through his interviews has reinforced something I’ve seen throughout my career, candidates who prepare well, understand themselves, and allow themselves to be human nearly always come across better than they think they do.
Final thought
If you’re currently interviewing and feeling anxious, be kind to yourself. You’re doing something challenging, and that takes courage.
Prepare properly, slow down, and remember that the person sitting across from you is just another human being, not a judge.
And if an 18-year-old taking his first steps into the world of work can learn to manage interview nerves, with the right support, so can you.
Date: 10th February 2026
HUMAN TOUCH | RELATIONSHIP | PASSION | KNOWLEDGE | INTEREST | INTEGRITY
