Some tips:

Before the interview

1. Eat something light and not a big meal
   • A light meal or fruits before the interview will keep you energetic and sharp. Don’t go into the interview with a full loaded stomach. Keep yourself well hydrated. Fruits or energy bars during breaks is good. No Coffee/Tea/Red Bull contrary to what everyone else says. Stimulants make you edgy and get the pulse up
2. Listen to some soothing music or watch something funny before the interview and during breaks if possible:
   • It’s your personal choice but the right type of music has profound impact on calming the human system. Explore this as an option to help calm the nerves and perhaps even fire up some adrenaline.
3. Go for a short walk or meditate (30-45mins before the interview) if you can
   • Meditation used to be and still is my personal favourite indulgence before I enter any big situation. In fact, I now meditate daily, first thing in the morning. There are plenty of short (15-30mins) guided meditation videos available online and on apps. Try and experiment and settle on that which works for you, helps you relax and be in the moment. Make this a daily practice if you can.
4. Remind yourself that you chose to be in that interview
   • No one has put a gun to your head and forced you to attend the interview (I hope not). So, isn’t it a bit ridiculous to feel anxious about something that you genuinely want to do? You worry about everything that could go wrong or dread the fact that someone is evaluating you. Let go of these thoughts and emotions.
5. Feel grateful for the opportunity. Remember that so many people around you and in the world don’t get the opportunities that you have
   • All the good things we have are somehow easily forgotten. We get too busy worrying all the time. So, pause whenever you can and be thankful for all the fantastic things in life- education, safety, good health, family, friends etc. It’s a great privilege and opportunity which millions around the world don’t have, unfortunately. The interview process is yet another opportunity given to you. Be grateful and enjoy it.

Otherwise, going for a short walk in an open park (if possible, for you) before the interview could also do wonders to calm the nerves. 

During the interview

1. Remind yourself to take it one interview at a time
   • More often than not, we are either regretting our past or worrying about the future. The past has happened and can’t be changed. The future is yet to be created. You have the present moment to act based on what you have learnt from the past and where you want to steer your life in the future. But don’t let you past make you act in a way that you struggle to create a new future. If something happened in the past, doesn’t mean it will happen again, unless you let it. With this in mind, take it one step at a time i.e., one interview at a time. Don’t worry about next rounds or what’s going to happen if you fail the interview. Keep your expectations aside. If you have given your best and continue to do so, good things will happen. 
2. Focus on giving your best even if the interview is going badly
   • Perhaps the interviewer is having a bad day, or they are not friendly at all or it’s just not your day. Regardless, don’t make things too personal or take things too seriously. This is not a matter of life & death and all you can really do is to remain focused and give your best. You can’t control outside situations or dictate the interviewer’s behaviour. Neither is every interview going to be great, nor is every interview going to be bad. But you can try & ensure that you continue to be present and try as much as you can. If you give up too easily or fall short on giving your best, regret & anxiety will follow.
3. Sit straight with an erect spine
   • This sounds trivial, but if your body slumps during the interview you will feel tight & tense. A good sitting posture promotes blood circulation. So, sit straight and catch yourself every time you notice the body slouching. Keep both feet firmly on the ground and avoid twitching or any other nervous motions. Keep a gentle but firm gaze. If your body remains calm & still, the mind will follow
4. Have a glass of water next to you and sip as required
   • This can be a good tactic to slow things down a bit and buy you some extra seconds while you think. Don’t overdo it though.
5. Breathe slowly and deeply if you notice your pulse racing
   • Allow yourself to take three slow deep breaths if you notice your pulse racing. The more air (and more oxygen) that goes into your system, the sooner it calms down. Breathe this way at the start of the interview as typically this is when the nerves are at their highest. But you can always breathe this way as required during the interview. Just be mindful to not breathe forcefully or let out a big sigh in front of the interviewer.
6. Smile and be relaxed as much as you can. Focus on enjoying yourself, truly open to learning something new from this experience
   • The interviewer is another person, and this interaction is a new opportunity for you and for them too. Humans unconsciously mimic the emotions of the person in front of them. You may have noticed this. Sometimes when you are with a friend or sibling who is angry (or happy), you get angry (or happy) as well without realising it. So, try and be relaxed (and smile as required) and the interviewer will have no choice but to follow suit. 

All the best!

(edited)