Interviewing isn’t just stressful for candidates—many hiring managers feel it too. Research for SEEK shows that 62% of hirers feel nervous about interviews at least sometimes, making interview anxiety very common.
Even experienced leaders can feel pressure when making important hiring decisions after a short meeting. As highlighted in SEEK’s article, Are you a nervous interviewer? Try these techniques to help, this often comes down to limited experience, uncertainty, and the pressure of choosing the right candidate.
The key message: interview nerves are normal—and manageable.
1. Treat the interview like a conversation
Rather than jumping straight into formal questioning, start with light conversation to help both parties relax. Small talk helps create a more natural atmosphere and reduces pressure.
As highlighted in SEEK’s article, Are you a nervous interviewer? Try these techniques to help, shifting from “interrogator” to “collaborator” helps keep the discussion more open and human. Explaining your thinking behind questions and inviting candidate questions also builds trust and reduces tension.
2. Prepare with intention
Good preparation is one of the most effective ways to reduce nerves. This includes reviewing the candidate’s CV, preparing role-specific questions, and thinking about what success actually looks like in the position.
It’s also important to consider how you want to represent your team and organisation. Clear expectations make it easier to stay focused and confident throughout the interview.
3. Let the conversation flow naturally
While structure is important, sticking too rigidly to a script can increase pressure. Allowing the conversation to move naturally often leads to better insights into a candidate’s experience and personality.
If you miss a question, you can always return to it later or follow up after the interview. Flexibility often improves the quality of the conversation.
4. Be yourself
Authenticity goes a long way in interviews. Candidates respond better to interviewers who are genuine rather than overly formal or scripted.
If nerves appear, simple techniques like pausing, slowing down, or refocusing the conversation can help. As Pizer notes, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s creating a productive, two-way conversation that helps both sides decide if there’s a fit.
Final thoughts
Interviewing doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. With preparation, a conversational approach, and a focus on authenticity, interviewers can reduce nerves and create a better experience for everyone involved.
Source
Independent research conducted by Nature on behalf of SEEK (12,000 Australians annually)
