[jasaloo]

I find my interview anxiety is directly connected to how much sheer preparation I do. There is no substitute for this.

Spend several hours: scouring the internet for common AND uncommon interview questions. Draft strong responses to all of them. Map out your values and reasons why they are what they are. Specific professional qualities you exhibit PLUS multiple anecdotes explaining those qualities.

Then- research the damn company. Hard. Train yourself in their tone and the story they tell about themselves. WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK FOR THEM?

Mostly importantly: Draft up thoughtful interview questions to ASK. Both general role questions and questions about the industry etc.

This takes time, and practice. But man, when you do it, you feel like a fucking boss going into an interview. And that unlocks the most important part. Mindset.

(For developers and other highly specialized roles, this isn’t exhaustive because you have steps to test your technical skills, but hopefully that helps. I gotten several jobs I’m under-qualified for by using this method)

[briga]

Ironically in my latest job search the interview I prepared the least for was the one that led to an offer. Put aside the pressure you put on yourself to succeed and you'll probably end up doing alright. I think it's similar to dating--the more effort you put into being liked by the other person the more desperate you seem and the more likely you are to be rejected. If the interviewer detects that you desperately need the job and are just saying what they want to hear, they'll probably be more likely to reject you. Not a hard and fast rule by any means, more like a quirk of human psychology.

[jasaloo]

Sure. Some people can pull that off. Doesn’t sound like OPs problem.

Also there’s a difference between over-preparing and coming in with a desperate attitude. You’re right that if you have the latter, you’re fucked. Going in with confidence, curiosity, and detachment are important too.

[thenoblesunfish]

Totally agreed - I interviewed with the same company twice, first without preparing enough, and then again after lots of prep. The first time, very anxious, got mentally blocked. The second time, better!