What techniques help you stay calm during a behavioral interview?

Behavioral interviews can be nerve-wracking, but staying calm is crucial for showcasing your skills effectively. These interviews focus on your past experiences and behaviors as indicators of your future performance. They typically involve questions that require you to describe specific situations you have faced in the workplace, the actions you took, and the outcomes of those actions. To excel, you'll need to prepare thoroughly and employ strategies to maintain composure throughout the interview process.

1 Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is a powerful tool to manage stress and anxiety. Before your interview begins, take a few moments to practice deep breathing exercises. Inhale slowly through your nose, allowing your chest and lower belly to rise, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. This technique helps to increase the supply of oxygen to your brain and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness. Employing this method not only before but also during the interview can help you stay composed and think more clearly.

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Kaique C Mata

Lawyer | Business Partner at Heineken | Training & Development | Labor Relations | Performance | Potential & Career | Diversity & Inclusion
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Sentir este momento muito mais como um "bate-papo" do quê como um processo seletivo. Este mindset mental pode ser fundamental para prevenção da ansiedade.

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Pedro Cano

Gerencia de riesgos | RC | Crédito | Daños | Previsión Social Empresarial | Fiscalidad de seguros | Jubilación | Ahorro | Previsión | Inversión |Emprendedor inquieto y apasionado por mi trabajo.
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Cuando me enfrento a una entrevista conductual, la respiración profunda es mi primera técnica para mantener la calma. Tomar respiraciones lentas y profundas me ayuda a centrarme y a reducir la ansiedad. Antes de entrar en la sala de entrevistas, respiro profundamente varias veces para calmar mi mente y prepararme para la conversación.

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2 Practice Stories

Familiarity breeds confidence. Prepare for your behavioral interview by reflecting on your past experiences and formulating stories that illustrate how you've successfully navigated workplace challenges. Use the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to structure your responses. This approach helps you convey your experiences in a clear and concise way, ensuring that you cover all aspects of the question. Practicing these stories aloud can make you feel more comfortable when it's time to deliver them under pressure.

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3 Positive Visualization

Picture success. Visualization is a technique where you imagine a positive outcome to create a sense of confidence. Before the interview, visualize yourself answering questions with poise and assurance. Imagine a friendly conversation rather than a grueling interrogation. This mental rehearsal can enhance your performance by reducing anxiety and improving your focus. By envisioning a calm and successful interview, you can help bring that scenario to life.

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4 Mindful Listening

Active engagement is key during an interview. Listen mindfully to each question, focusing entirely on the interviewer's words without letting your thoughts wander to potential answers or outcomes. This level of attentiveness ensures that you understand the question fully and respond appropriately. It also demonstrates your communication skills and ability to stay present, which are valuable traits in any business environment. Mindful listening can also distract from nervousness, as it keeps your attention on the present moment.

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Pedro Cano

Gerencia de riesgos | RC | Crédito | Daños | Previsión Social Empresarial | Fiscalidad de seguros | Jubilación | Ahorro | Previsión | Inversión |Emprendedor inquieto y apasionado por mi trabajo.
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Durante la entrevista, me doy permiso para hacer una pausa antes de responder. Tomarme un momento para pensar asegura que mis respuestas sean claras y concisas. Esta técnica me ayuda a evitar respuestas apresuradas y a mantener la calma y me permite manejar la presión de manera efectiva.

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5 Pause for Thought

It's perfectly acceptable to take a brief pause before answering a question. This moment of silence allows you to collect your thoughts and structure your response more effectively. A pause can also prevent you from responding impulsively or veering off-topic. Use this time to recall your prepared stories or to quickly apply the STAR method. Remember, it's better to deliver a well-thought-out answer than to rush and miss key points.

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Pedro Cano

Gerencia de riesgos | RC | Crédito | Daños | Previsión Social Empresarial | Fiscalidad de seguros | Jubilación | Ahorro | Previsión | Inversión |Emprendedor inquieto y apasionado por mi trabajo.
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Presto mucha atención a mi lenguaje corporal. Mantener una postura abierta y relajada, hacer contacto visual y sonreír de vez en cuando me ayuda a proyectar confianza y tranquilidad. Ser consciente de estos aspectos me permite controlar mejor mi la situación y presentarme de manera más profesional.

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6 Body Language

Your body language speaks volumes about your confidence and composure. Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and use gestures naturally to convey engagement and enthusiasm. Be mindful of nervous habits like fidgeting or touching your face, as they can be distracting. Instead, channel any nervous energy into positive, controlled movements. Proper body language can not only make a good impression but also help you feel more in control and calm.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What techniques help you stay calm during a behavioral interview?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Deep Breathing

2 Practice Stories

3 Positive Visualization

4 Mindful Listening

5 Pause for Thought

6 Body Language

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Management

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What techniques help you stay calm during a behavioral interview?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Deep Breathing

2 Practice Stories

3 Positive Visualization

4 Mindful Listening

5 Pause for Thought

6 Body Language

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Management

Rate this article

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