How to Stop Stumbling Upon Words During Your Job Interview

Usually, when people feel nervous, they start to stammer. If you stammer during an interview, trust me, you're not alone. After all, anyone would feel extra nervous when they talk to strangers during job interviews. The reason is pretty straightforward, you see the job interview as one of the most critical points in your career or maybe life. It's not easy to be confident going into a job interview, knowing that other candidates are fighting for the same job. We need to assure ourselves if we want to make ourselves stand out from the crowd.

1. Remember, you are qualified for this job

When you applied for the job, there is at least one employee in the company that read your resume and thought you have what it takes to fill the role. Hiring managers typically receive dozens if not hundreds of resumes for open roles, so if you have been picked for the interview, understand that someone already believes in you.

2. Mirror practice

Practising in front of the mirror helps you in understanding your flaws and fixing them before the interview day. It also gives you the courage to do well in your interview.

Practising in front of the mirror can really help you, especially if you don't like looking at yourself.

3. Ask for others' help

You do not have to practice for a job interview all by yourself. Find a friend who is also getting ready for a job interview. You can interview each other so you can be prepared with the verbal and social aspects of it.

4. Talk to yourself and focus on your positives

You need to tell yourself that you are the right person for the job. Focus on your strengths, for example, your experience or expertise in the field. By concentrating on the positives and resisting to give in to the negatives, you will give yourself a genuine confidence boost.

Tip: Write down a list of positive qualities about yourself. Ask friends or peers from university what qualities they admire about you as a person and a worker. Don't be shy, you need the affirmation!

5. Study the interview questions

We can't 100% be sure about what questions they'll ask, but we can take an educated guess. Numerous websites have compiled all the top questions asked in interviews. Try to familiarise yourself with questions such as "Why do you want to work for us," and "What is your greatest weakness."

6. Prepare and rehearse your answers

Once you have thought of all the questions that might be asked, start to formulate answers that are unique to your individual experience. Write them down to help yourself make your thoughts concrete and concise. Practise by saying them aloud so you can cut down the pauses, filler words and awkward phrasing.

7. Exercise to get rid of excess energy

Go for a jog or exercise in the morning before your interview. By letting go of the nervous energy, it can also help you to manage your anxiety. 

You don't need to study hundreds of questions, just focus on the ones you think that will be asked.

8. Play power music

On your way to the interview, listen to songs that make you feel confident. It is hard to feel nervous when your favourite upbeat song is playing in the background. It will get rid of your nervousness. If it helps, you can also sing along!

9. Practise some breathing exercises

By concentrating and controlling your breathing, you can take your busy mind off distracting matters and begin to calm down.

Take a deep, slow breath through your nose, and release it gently through your mouth. Do it at least three times, if not more. Since this exercise is not very noticeable, you can use it if you start to feel anxious again.

10. How to stay calm when speaking

Take your time and say what you mean to say, it will help you reduce your stammering. Give yourself time when speaking, and try to stay relaxed. Think before you say and construct the next sentence in your head. Speaking slower might help with stammering too, just don't try to force words as it can make them harder to say.

11. Drink water

It's the simplest fix, but so many people forget to drink water before a job interview. Hydrate yourself, it will keep your voice clear rather than scratchy and dry.

Believe it or not, working on your posture can help you to be more confident.

12. Fix your posture

Place your feet roughly shoulder-width apart. Keep your feet flat on the ground, and do not sway or move your weight from side to side.

13. Think of it as practice

Every interview is a chance to practice. Without practice, we cannot improve ourselves. A job interview is a chance to see what works and what does not, so you can keep improving. You will only increase your chances to be hired every time you go to a job interview. 

14. Remember that it's okay to make mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes. No one minds if you stumble over a word, or if you start to stammer. Keep in mind that everyone interviewing you has been in your position.

It will not be easy at first, but you will surely improve over time. Be fearless and have faith in yourself.