How to calm nerves before interviews Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi guys and gals -- I'm wondering how I can calm my nerves before interviews. This has become a major issue for me -- I was rejected post-CB for that reason. Does anyone have any tips or tricks?

[Anonymous User]

Hi guys and gals -- I'm wondering how I can calm my nerves before interviews. This has become a major issue for me -- I was rejected post-CB for that reason. Does anyone have any tips or tricks?

who dinged u post-cb because of it?

[Anonymous User]

Hi guys and gals -- I'm wondering how I can calm my nerves before interviews. This has become a major issue for me -- I was rejected post-CB for that reason. Does anyone have any tips or tricks?

who dinged u post-cb because of it?

It doesn't matter. I need advice.

[columbiaeip2014]

Hi guys and gals -- I'm wondering how I can calm my nerves before interviews. This has become a major issue for me -- I was rejected post-CB for that reason. Does anyone have any tips or tricks?

who dinged u post-cb because of it?

It doesn't matter. I need advice.

actually it does matter. depending on the firm i could help tell you the kind of personality they were looking for but that's a good attitude. hope you get dinged again pal

[Anonymous User]

Hi guys and gals -- I'm wondering how I can calm my nerves before interviews. This has become a major issue for me -- I was rejected post-CB for that reason. Does anyone have any tips or tricks?

who dinged u post-cb because of it?

It doesn't matter. I need advice.

actually it does matter. depending on the firm i could help tell you the kind of personality they were looking for but that's a good attitude. hope you get dinged again pal

Fine - Deb******.

[ymmv]

Lol.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Well, if the OP was already dinged, finding out now what personality they wanted doesn't really help anything. Besides, nervous isn't a personality type. Also, you didn't need to be anon to be a jerk.

OP, my experience is that when I'm really nervous I tend to speak quickly and hold my breath (sounds dumb, but that thing where you keep talking till you run out of air and have to take a big obvious gasp). So it can help to really consciously take deep breaths and slow down (easier said than done, I realize). I also think TED talks are overhyped, but I really liked one about "fake it till you make it" (I think by someone last name Cuddy?) about how body language can give you confidence - I've seen other people argue that because people tend to engage in certain physical ticks when nervous (like hold their breath, tense up), avoiding the physical actions can make you feel more calm.

[Anonymous User]

Well, if the OP was already dinged, finding out now what personality they wanted doesn't really help anything. Besides, nervous isn't a personality type. Also, you didn't need to be anon to be a jerk.

OP, my experience is that when I'm really nervous I tend to speak quickly and hold my breath (sounds dumb, but that thing where you keep talking till you run out of air and have to take a big obvious gasp). So it can help to really consciously take deep breaths and slow down (easier said than done, I realize). I also think TED talks are overhyped, but I really liked one about "fake it till you make it" (I think by someone last name Cuddy?) about how body language can give you confidence - I've seen other people argue that because people tend to engage in certain physical ticks when nervous (like hold their breath, tense up), avoiding the physical actions can make you feel more calm.

Thank you. This shouldn't affect my employment -- I've done 2/12 CBs, but I really want to diagnose this going forward. Any other tips also welcome.

--OP

[Anonymous User]

just got a job but got dinged from my first cb for the same reason.

the key is to remember that lawyers aren't allowed to lose their cool in uncomfortable situations. if you can't even face lawyers who want to like you, how are you going to face a difficult opposing attorney? how are you going to inspire a client to pick your firm over a competing firm if you can't even charm your future boss/coworkers? are you straight through by any chance? if so, realize that this is a real job, and clients are real businesses with real assets on the line. i'm not saying this to be mean, just that you should approach the cb knowing that your choices are either 1) get over it, or 2) stop trying to be a lawyer

[Anonymous User]

just got a job but got dinged from my first cb for the same reason.

the key is to remember that lawyers aren't allowed to lose their cool in uncomfortable situations. if you can't even face lawyers who want to like you, how are you going to face a difficult opposing attorney? how are you going to inspire a client to pick your firm over a competing firm if you can't even charm your future boss/coworkers? are you straight through by any chance? if so, realize that this is a real job, and clients are real businesses with real assets on the line. i'm not saying this to be mean, just that you should approach the cb knowing that your choices are either 1) get over it, or 2) stop trying to be a lawyer

It's not that I couldn't speak coherently. I could. I just displayed signs of nervousness. I'm straight through, but I've interned in investment banking, so I have some interview experience. It's just that IBD interviews' substance is important vs. law firm interviews, not so much.

[Anonymous User]

just got a job but got dinged from my first cb for the same reason.

the key is to remember that lawyers aren't allowed to lose their cool in uncomfortable situations. if you can't even face lawyers who want to like you, how are you going to face a difficult opposing attorney? how are you going to inspire a client to pick your firm over a competing firm if you can't even charm your future boss/coworkers? are you straight through by any chance? if so, realize that this is a real job, and clients are real businesses with real assets on the line. i'm not saying this to be mean, just that you should approach the cb knowing that your choices are either 1) get over it, or 2) stop trying to be a lawyer

It's not that I couldn't speak coherently. I could. I just displayed signs of nervousness. I'm straight through, but I've interned in investment banking, so I have some interview experience. It's just that IBD interviews' substance is important vs. law firm interviews, not so much.

sorry, i meant to say charm your boss/coworkers. i didn't see that you had 12 callbacks; i thought you might have had only 1-2 and so may not have been coherent. (i was not for my first few interviews)

i'm also straight through, and i've learned that interning counts for work experience about as much as a man's personality does to a gold digger

[ruski]

come to interview 30 min early. tell receptionist your here early and tell her not to call anyone just yet and u just need to use restroom. take a dump. come out feeling relieved and relaxed. its almost animalistic, you take a dump in someone else's territory and you feel like you own the place. you are much more calm. i did this and this worked wonders for me.

[Gooner91]

You could try positive affirmations in the mirror before you interview.

[El Pollito]

just got a job but got dinged from my first cb for the same reason.

the key is to remember that lawyers aren't allowed to lose their cool in uncomfortable situations. if you can't even face lawyers who want to like you, how are you going to face a difficult opposing attorney? how are you going to inspire a client to pick your firm over a competing firm if you can't even charm your future boss/coworkers? are you straight through by any chance? if so, realize that this is a real job, and clients are real businesses with real assets on the line. i'm not saying this to be mean, just that you should approach the cb knowing that your choices are either 1) get over it, or 2) stop trying to be a lawyer

It's not that I couldn't speak coherently. I could. I just displayed signs of nervousness. I'm straight through, but I've interned in investment banking, so I have some interview experience. It's just that IBD interviews' substance is important vs. law firm interviews, not so much.

sorry, i meant to say charm your boss/coworkers. i didn't see that you had 12 callbacks; i thought you might have had only 1-2 and so may not have been coherent. (i was not for my first few interviews)

i'm also straight through, and i've learned that interning counts for work experience about as much as a man's personality does to a gold digger

wow this analogy is one of the best things i've seen on tls

[84651846190]

smoke up (this is not legal advice)

[09042014]

kolopin bro or xanax

if you cant get that, two shots (unless you are white girl or asian male, then one shot)

[First Offense]

Masturbate.

Seriously.

“A study in Scotland a few years ago proved that people who had orgasms before important speaking engagements felt much calmer and more self-possessed when it came to deliver their speeches,” said Dr. Brame, “Researchers concluded that the natural chemistry of sex relieved speakers’ anxiety and boosted their morale.”

I don't have the source for the study, but yeah.

[El Pollito]

Masturbate.

Seriously.

“A study in Scotland a few years ago proved that people who had orgasms before important speaking engagements felt much calmer and more self-possessed when it came to deliver their speeches,” said Dr. Brame, “Researchers concluded that the natural chemistry of sex relieved speakers’ anxiety and boosted their morale.”

I don't have the source for the study, but yeah.

I'd just feel weird if I had to see a bunch of people in a professional setting after touching myself.

[Anonymous User]

Masturbate.

Seriously.

“A study in Scotland a few years ago proved that people who had orgasms before important speaking engagements felt much calmer and more self-possessed when it came to deliver their speeches,” said Dr. Brame, “Researchers concluded that the natural chemistry of sex relieved speakers’ anxiety and boosted their morale.”

I don't have the source for the study, but yeah.

+1
(assuming you're a guy, I have no idea if this works for females). I've gone 2/2 on CBs so far, and I've masturbated immediately before both. There really is no better (legal) stress/anxiety reliever

[Anonymous User]

Masturbate.

Seriously.

“A study in Scotland a few years ago proved that people who had orgasms before important speaking engagements felt much calmer and more self-possessed when it came to deliver their speeches,” said Dr. Brame, “Researchers concluded that the natural chemistry of sex relieved speakers’ anxiety and boosted their morale.”

I don't have the source for the study, but yeah.

+1
(assuming you're a guy, I have no idea if this works for females). I've gone 2/2 on CBs so far, and I've masturbated immediately before both. There really is no better (legal) stress/anxiety reliever

Good point, I'm not sure that females are capable of masturbating or having orgasms.

[First Offense]

Masturbate.

Seriously.

“A study in Scotland a few years ago proved that people who had orgasms before important speaking engagements felt much calmer and more self-possessed when it came to deliver their speeches,” said Dr. Brame, “Researchers concluded that the natural chemistry of sex relieved speakers’ anxiety and boosted their morale.”

I don't have the source for the study, but yeah.

+1
(assuming you're a guy, I have no idea if this works for females). I've gone 2/2 on CBs so far, and I've masturbated immediately before both. There really is no better (legal) stress/anxiety reliever

Good point, I'm not sure that females are capable of masturbating or having orgasms.

That's what I tell myself when I find myself incapable of pleasing a lover.

[El Pollito]

From now on, I'm just going to assume that all male interviewees have just jerked it.

[eleemosynary2]

This is probably easier said than done, but I relax myself going into CBs by thinking of them as an opportunity to have a few short conversations with people who are generally smart and interesting. Once you get into that rhythm of showing enthusiasm for hearing about what they do, they can get on a roll talking about themselves (as all people want to do) and the conversation feels less like an inquisition. Substantively, I'm sure you know the things you want to say about your interests and background, so I do think it's largely about framing the experience for yourself.

[First Offense]

From now on, I'm just going to assume that all male interviewees have just jerked it.

Safe bet. In fact, you should probably assume that for nearly all interactions with males.

[09042014]

From now on, I'm just going to assume that all male interviewees have just jerked it.

nobody washes their hands after either