Error 404. Interview tips: could stress actually be helpful?

So tell me, why do we get stressed?  

First, take a deep breath. Feeling stressed is perfectly normal. In fact, it's natural. [Text Wrapping Break]Stress is a reaction of the body – more specifically of the nervous system – to a situation that scares you or you can't control. When an unusual event occurs, the prefrontal cortex, which usually works on "autopilot", kind of shuts down. The body then goes into a state of high alert, which leads to the secretion of adrenaline and cortisol and results in the famous physical reactions such as trembling, sweating or a racing heart. But these reactions have an important purpose: adaptation! They step in to help our body to act, through flight or fight.  

A job interview is a good example of an unusual situation, where the stakes are high enough to trigger this stress response. Interviews easily trigger our fear of self-judgment, which goes back to childhood and other traumatic times when we have been judged.  

Stress in small doses 

But stress isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can be very useful! There's even a positive kind of stress, known as eustress, which is the pressure naturally created by the body when it needs to respond to new stimuli. These small peaks of stress force the body and mind to adapt, which develops our skills and makes us more alert and able to mobilise our strengths. In an interview, this adrenaline rush gives us energy, boosts creativity and enthusiasm, and makes us more convincing. It allows you to deftly navigate that trick question posed by the recruiter or to calculate the right answers at top speed. A little bit of stress can definitely work in your favour.  

It's all a matter of how much: a level of stress that is too high or non-existent does not allow us to mobilise our resources effectively. And that's where stress management comes in, of course. In a performative society, we've learned to see intense emotions as a problem. However, you should learn to see stress as an extra skill on your CV: it's proof of adaptability and emotional intelligence. Basically, it's a great ally when it comes to adapting your behaviour, thinking and answers to the person you're talking to. 

How to harness the power of stress! 

A Harvard study found that, as soon as we change our perception and decide to see the body's stress signals as useful elements that prepare us for action, we perform better during stressful tasks. Better still, the study subjects were less anxious, felt less psychological stress and were more confident as a result. The physiological response of stress can even be compared to our feelings of joy or courage. 

To get these kinds of amazing results, we need to change our perception of stress by seeing the physical "symptoms" in a more positive light. Am I sweating? Have I gone red? Is my voice shaking? Is my heart beating ten to the dozen? Well. that just means my body is sending me a message: I'm facing a challenge, and my body is getting prepared to absolutely boss the situation! Athletes don't try to run away from stress; in fact, they lean into it and turn it into a motivator (usually before a game, in the changing room). Embracing the stress stops them from melting into a puddle on the floor as soon as they step out onto the pitch or come out to face their opponent. The less we push against these signs of anxiety, the better they'll fulfil their original function: to help us smash the challenge. 

The balance is to ride the adrenaline boost stress brings with it but without letting it overwhelm you. To do this, focusing on your breathing can help you get a handle on that panicky feeling. Sitting down, settling your legs and back and breathing from your belly also helps you to relax and control your fear. Finally, taking time to prepare for your interview will definitely help you feel more in control.

Is technology an answer to stress? Maybe not 

According to a study by Mercer conducted in 2020, more than half (55%) of HR managers in the US now use predictive algorithms. And job interviews are no exception. Algorithms are now being used to help recruiters navigate this part of the hiring process too, as shown by the mass adoption of HR software (Breezy, iMocha or Workable) by many companies.  How does it work? The candidate answers recruitment questions on video in front of a computer and this video is then sent over to the company and analysed by algorithms.

You might think that a video interview is a way to avoid the famous sweaty handshake... But although removing the direct connection between the recruiter and the candidate reduces stress, it also takes a lot of the humanity out of the interaction. Funny, when we know that 75% of HR managers now consider soft skills to be essential to individual and group performance: adaptability, team spirit, determination and organisation, empathy, listening and entrepreneurial spirit, to name just a few.

However, technology isn't sufficiently advanced to be able to accurately measure these soft skills during a video interview. And at JobTeaser, we're convinced that it's better to take a little heat in return for getting the opportunity to surprise the recruiter in person. So, embrace your stress and let it be the superpower that gives you an edge in your job interview