Tips to tackle stress by Mr. Suman Reddy,MD,Pegasystems Worldwide India Pvt Ltd

Here in the early days of 2009, people the world over are feeling the effects of the global recession. The daily news is blaring stories of massive layoffs, cutbacks, and closures. After a while, all of this bad news takes its toll. Finding a job during recession seems like a tough nut to crack. Companies are laying off, cutting their personnel costs, freezing recruitment and optimizing their current staff. Amidst all this, if you are a job seeker, it could be very hard. However, not all is lost. It may be tough but it is not impossible. A positive and structured approach can help you get a job.
"Butterflies" in the stomach just before an individual heads out for a job interview is a common phenomenon. Even some of the world's best actors feel tense prior to going onstage. But while a little anxiety or stress can keep you on top of your game, too much can destroy your confidence and turn your platform into a pratfall. Stress can impact our mental processes and lead to decreases in concentration and memory, indecisiveness, mind racing and confusion.
For advice on how to minimize job-interview anxiety, most management will advice to contact three local experts: a mental-health counselor, a human resources executive and a career counselor.
A common theme among all three: Preparation is the best antidote to nervousness. How do you accomplish this?

1) Identify your strong suits (so you feel good about yourself);
Make a list of your 'benefits and features' ahead of time - your positive qualities - and be ready to highlight them. Sometimes people don't realize all that they really have to offer until its see it on paper. If necessary, take a friend’s help.

2) Learn all you can about your potential employer (to show you've done your homework)
Use the Internet to read press releases and other information about the company so that you can take at least three pieces of positive information about them into the interview.
3) Practice your interviewing skills before the big day (so you're prepared).

Have a friend interview you, asking all the tough questions that you are most worried about so that you're comfortable with the answers. "Practice smiling and making eye contact. This can make all the difference in an interview because you appear to be enjoying your life and that would appeal to an employer.
No matter what is to come tomorrow, stress only makes things worse. You can’t think straight when you are afraid. If you are faced with a problem, you need to be able to follow your higher, internal wisdom, but you have to be calm to do so. A peaceful mind gives you answers that have been there all along but were clouded over with your stress. Performances are at its best when individuals are relaxed and prepared.