Own Your Nerves 2/2

It went well, you think. They laughed at your mild jokes and seemed genuinly happy with the level of skills and experience you have. They're going to contact your references and get back to you by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.

Tick tock.. tick tock.. tick tock..

It's 2.30pm the day after your interview and those sweat marks are back. Your brain is thinking in over drive. You feel like, if you get the job, so much 'good' will come. But if you don't get it, what's already bad is only going to get a whole lot worse. You start to think about other ways you could have answered their questions. Better things you could have said. More examples you could have given. You check your phone every 2 minutes just incase you missed a call, even though you've had your phone on you for every waking moment since you left the interview - Even in the bathroom!

6pm. No phone call. Close of buisness was at 5pm, you know because you checked at 4.59pm. It's now safe to say you've been unsuccessful.

An old wise friend of mine once said - okay it was just yesterday and she's not old, but we'll go with it - "You could be on the path to something even better and all these knock backs are just tiny speed bumps in the grand plan."

For those of you out there who have been knocked back time and time again and the nerves get worse and worse each time you put yourself out there, think about that quote. Maybe you're on a different path to what you think you're on. Maybe it's a better plan. Maybe next time will be your time. (Or this time could still be your time - hang in there. There could be a reason for their late call.)

I know it's hard, believe me, I do. But try not to be nervous. Be yourself and accept yourself for who you are. One day, the hours you spend getting ready, and the time you spend sitting in your car killing time because you're paranoid about being late, will be worth it in the end.

Own your nerves.