How do you deal with pre-interview anxiety?
How do you deal with pre-interview anxiety?
I've got one coming up soon and am nervous as hell, as usual.
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If it is severe (heart pounding in your ears, can't think straight, tremors, etc) talk to your doctor. You might benefit from propanolol, a beta blocker (heart rate medication) that is also used in low doses for performance anxiety.
Please do NOT seek this out and take it without consulting a physician. Absolutely do not take it if you are also using cocaine at all.
Propranolol ROCKS. I know my shit. I'm actually good at interviews... except for the crippling adrenaline rush. It's deep down in my lizard brain and I cannot control it. I'm sure it kept my ancestors alive when they were running from sabre tooth tigers, but it's not much good today. Propranolol just switches off the adrenaline rush like a light switch. It's uncanny. And amazing. I tried everything, and this was the only thing which worked. I regret that it look me so long to find it.
Note: don't take it for every meeting. Save it for the big ones. Test in the range of 10-20mg. Takes about an hour for full effect. I find the effects can last 4-6 hours afterwards. I get two side effects: an upset stomach and I feel tired in the evening. I take an imodium to solve the former, and a good night's rest for the latter.
Thank you for this. I know anxiety is "normal" in these situations, but at the same time, it's clear that people are talking about a pretty wide range of experiences when they talk about anxiety. At the extreme end, it's tough to even hold a casual conversation, let alone answer complex questions and demonstrate skills to an interviewer. It's not something everyone can manage with logic and self-talk.
Curious about the cocaine comment. Does it interact with the drug that will make you sick or just a bad time mentally?
Propanolol (and other beta blockers) ... blocks a type of` receptor found on cells call beta adrenergic receptors. In the heart, beta blockers work to help with rate control.
Cocaine activates beta and alpha adrenergic receptors. Activating alpha adrenergic receptors can cause vasoconstriction.Combining them, you get unopposed alpha activity, leading to coronary artery constriction, and a significant increase in risk of heart attack.
edited to change "ion channel" to "receptor"
I mean drugs is a last ultimatum right. First talk to someone about the crippling anxiety, friends, therapist, etc.
Your mileage may vary. If anyone tries this route, make sure to try it a couple times in lower stress situations, ideally with at least one person who knows you well so they can help evaluate if it's making you act oddly.
I've tried propranolol and it tended to make me chattier, which was a step in the wrong direction since I typically try to talk through my anxiety.