Anxious about your interview? Try this.

Dear Coach:

When I go to an interview, I freeze up, no matter how well I prepare. How can I get over my nerves?

Nail Biter

Dear NB:

First, there would be something wrong with you if you weren’t at least a little nervous about talking to someone who has the ability to change your life with a job offer. The question is how to accept your anxiety and turn it in your favor.

First look at what you tell yourself about anxiety. This month’s Psychology Today cites a study looking at students about to take the Graduate Record Exam. One group was told that nervousness could help them by increasing their performance. Another group received no advice. The result? The first group did better on the test, even if they took the test a month later. Like the first group of students, you can accept that your stress over interviewing is inevitable and that a little stress may help you rise to the occasion.

Second, you might try preparing for your interview beyond looking at the company’s website (which I hope you know is a must). Take a look at news reports and even blogs about issues that important to the company or the industry. Your goal is to feel like you know what’s important to the company. If, for example, you know that the firm is outsourcing work that doesn’t have to do with its core business, you can emphasize the skills you have that contribute to its new direction. You might note that you’ve had experience managing or working with people offsite.

Finally, you can use an imaging exercise that media trainers use to help prepare executives for reporters’ questions. Executives are told to look for questions that allow them to get their key messages across.

To prepare your key messages, imagine that you’re in an ideal interview situation that showcases your best talents perfectly. Imagine what question the interviewer could ask that would lead to him seeing you in the best possible light. Imagine your answer. Be as detailed as you can. Now think of a way to work this response into any interview, including some concrete examples.

For example, you might know that you are an outstanding trouble shooter. Sometime during the interview, the interviewer is bound to ask a question that allows you to highlight this strength. Your job is to make sure your key message gets emphasized. For instance, you could talk about your trouble shooting skills in response to any of these questions: “What do you think others would say about you? What do you contribute to a team? Can you tell me about a project you were proud of?”