The job search can be tiring and often feel defeating, but landing an interview can really turn those feelings around. Except, then the anxiety surrounding interviewing may start to creep in. And if on top of looking for a job, you have a cancer diagnosis, you may feel like the apprehension and anxiety is downright overwhelming. This is totally understandable and normal! You spend so much time perfecting resumes and cover letters, highlighting all your accomplishments, that when it comes time to make an in-person impression (or virtual face-to-face), it’s easy to freeze.

Though it’s normal to feel anxious, it is important to try and calm your nerves as part of your interview prep. CareerBuilder.com published a blog focusing on 7 tips to conquer pre-interview anxiety. We’ve highlighted the ones we feel will resonate most with job seekers also managing a cancer diagnosis.

1. Have a game plan. Aside from researching the company to sound well informed, if you are going for an in-person interview, make sure you know how to get to the building, the commute time, and familiarizing yourself with the location (parking, the walk from the parking lot to the office, etc.). If you’re engaging in virtual interviews, you want to make sure your internet is working (or you have a form of backup like a hotspot or your cell phone), your environment is quiet, and there’s nothing inappropriate behind you that an interviewer might interpret negatively.
2. Fuel up. While a healthy diet is generally important for physical health, when managing cancer, it can be extra necessary to eat an appropriate diet so you are able to feel energized enough to present yourself as the best, most motivated, and ambitious candidate in an interview.
3. Visualize. The idea of visualizing achievement can contribute positively to actually achieving your desired outcome. Think of it as akin to manifesting. If you see yourself explaining how you’ve hit your sales goals in the past and are able to imagine the hiring manager getting excited about it, you’re going to be much more confident playing that out in the actual interview. Essentially, by looking forward with a more optimistic lens you are able to feel empowered which can then increase your confidence. 

While these of course may feel easier in theory, the idea is to try and implement self-care practices, both for your mental and physical health, into your interview prep. You’ve worked hard to make it to the interview stage, you want to be as prepared as possible. With that said, the following are a few of the many resources offered by Cancer and Careers focused on the job search and interviewing:
- Resume Review Service
- The Interviewing section of our website which houses numerous articles on tips and techniques for successful interviewing
- Our article on Managing Disclosure When Looking for a Job
- Check out our Job Search Toolkit for more guidance and tools for the interview process

We will also be holding our Virtual West Coast Conference on Saturday, October 25th. The daylong event will include discussions on looking for work, communicating effectively, and setting boundaries. Registration is free and open – to learn more and register click here.