How to be less stressed during the interview?

stress
Recent activity on Mar 07, 2018
6 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Mar 05, 2018

Hello everyone,

Do you have any last-minute tips how to limit stress during the interview? Whenever I'm too stressed, it limits my creative thinking or makes me calculate poorly and this is of course a bad thing to experience in the interview!

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Mar 06, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Some tips here:

  1. Stay calm whatever situation you have. Keep in mind that it's a game and he may be doing that on purpose.
  2. Gape between the interviews!!! It really helps to get the oxygen to your brains and recharge quickly!
  3. Keep smiling, it's important. It really improves your mental state of mind if you are smiling! If you ask me what is the one game changer that helps people to produce a good impression I would say it's a smile!
  4. Keep professional. Think of yourself as a pro. You are not a kid, you are a guy who comes and solves the problem. Be dressed professionally, sit on the chair professionally - pose is important, have a professional voice. It will remove this mental state of being stressed.
  5. Keep structuring and asking the right questions. If you are structured the way you think, even if it is a common sense logic - it's very hard to give you a bad feedback
  6. Be polite and friendly no matter what.
  7. Try to engage the interviewer. If you take a minute - make a new structure on paper and present it. If you are doing the calculations - present your approach first and come with intermediate numbers. Don't let him start checking his e-mails!

All the Best!!!

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Retired
Expert
replied on Mar 06, 2018
Former BCG interviewer

Besides the tip on not practicing the day before, please see the below thread where you can find some good pointers. The key in one sentence is remember that you are there because they hope to hire you.

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-can-i-be-more-confident-during-the-case-interview-1124#a2289

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-approach-bad-copaggressive-style-interviewer-1291#a2705

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-practice-unconscious-personal-fit-1308#a2792

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/rejected-after-1-round-from-bcg-and-bain-mck-to-come-1258#a2594

hope it helps!

Andrea

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 06, 2018
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Anonymous,

I agree with Vlad as for the general tips on how to behave in the interview. In case you experience stress during the interview itself, and you see this is limiting your creative thinking or structuring, the best thing to do is to:

  1. Recap everything you did till that moment
  2. Ask for one minute of time to structure your thoughts
  3. If still blocked/unable to find a proper answer, ask for help to the interviewer

It’s far better to ask for help if you are struggling than keep silent for 2-3 minutes without any communication with the interviewer.

Best,

Francesco

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Amina replied on Mar 05, 2018

Drinking water will make you less stressed

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B
Expert
replied on Mar 05, 2018
NOT AVAILABLE

Hey,

Take a good night of sleep the night before - one of the major mistakes I've seen was from people that decide to practice a lot of last minute cases or fit the night before and run into the interview super tired!

Best

Bruno

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Justin T replied on Mar 07, 2018
Preparing for 2 MBB final rounds.

Drink more water. Music also helps, have a "pump-up song", e.g.

"Lose yourself" - Eminem

"All I do is win" - DJ Khalid

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Vlad gave the best answer

Vlad

McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
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