My Mind Goes Blank in Interviews. What Can I Do?

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking. Some people put too much pressure on themselves, and when the interview day arrives, they feel like their mind goes blank. They cannot think; they may ramble for a bit and offer an inconsistent answer that doesn’t reflect their skills and experience. Have you ever wondered why this happens?

Why Does This Happen? Why does my mind go blank in interviews?

Job interviews are about more than just answering questions. Interviewers usually assess your communication skills and other technical and non-technical skills. For example, when they ask you about the process you followed to solve an issue, analyse your verbal and non-verbal communication, or how you explain complex concepts clearly.

Your skills and personality are tested. It’s a high-stakes situation that, understandably, can trigger anxiety and stress. What happens is that when we’re anxious, our bodies go into a “fight or flight” mode, which can cause the mind to feel overwhelmed. In this state, your brain might struggle to retrieve information, leading to that dreaded feeling of your mind going blank.

Can It Be Fixed?

Yes, it can be fixed. You can train your brain to stop going black in a job interview or a stressful situation, but it’s not a quick fix. Like any other skill, learning to stay calm and composed under pressure takes time and practice. At the end of the day, it’s about keeping your anxiety levels down and building self-confidence so you get more comfortable in these situations and your brain doesn’t go into overdrive.

If you’re worried if there’s something you can do to prevent this from happening, you should know that there are indeed a few things you can do before, during and after your job interview to drastically reduce your chances of blanking out.

Before a Job Interview: Prepare Well to Avoid Your Mind Going Blank

→ Practice, Practice, Practice:

The more you prepare, the less you’ll need to think on the spot. Most recruitment consultants recommend that you write down potential interview questions and rehearse your answers before your interview day. You can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, which makes it easier to recall them during the interview.

→ Visualise Success:

Spend a few minutes each day imagining yourself answering questions confidently. Visualising success can help reduce anxiety and create a sense of familiarity with the interview process.

→ Research the Company and Role:

Knowing what the company does and understanding the job role well can help you feel more in control. This preparation means you’re less likely to be caught off-guard by a question. If you’re working with a trusted recruitment consultant, they can help you with insights about the company culture, what they do and what the job’s day-to-day looks like.

→ Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises:

A deep breath always makes everything seem better. Problems feel lighter when you breathe down. That is because practising mindfulness and deep breathing are a great help to manage your anxiety. A calm mind is less likely to blank out.

During the Interview: Stay Grounded and Focused

→ Take a Moment to Breathe:

If you’re at the job interview and feel your mind is going blank, pause, breathe, and then respond. It’s better to take a moment to gather your thoughts than to rush into an answer and stumble.

→ Ask for Clarification:

If a question throws you off, don’t panic. It’s okay to ask the interviewer to repeat or clarify the question. Have you noticed how public speakers and celebrities often use this technique to buy time, think and respond?

→ Use Filler Phrases:

Another great way to buy time is simple phrases like “That’s a great question, let me think for a moment”. They can give you a few extra seconds to gather your thoughts without appearing unprepared.

→ Bring Notes:

If the interview allows it, you could have a few notes with key points you want to discuss. These can serve as a prompt in case your mind goes blank.

What if My Mind Still Goes Blank?

If you find yourself lost for words, remember: it’s not the end of the world. Stay calm and try to re-centre. Apologise briefly and try to pivot to a topic you’re more comfortable with. Or you could even ask to return to the question later when you feel more relaxed and confident and your brain has eventually found the right words.

Everyone Has Different Reactions to Interview Anxiety

Something we realised when researching for this article is that interview anxiety affects people in different ways. Some, like our candidate, experience a temporary mental block, while others might start to ramble and ramble and lose focus. Some may speak too fast and gesticulate a lot, while others remain tense and awkwardly still.

Regardless of how you react, you must remember that interview preparation is essential. Practising answers can help avoid both extremes, giving you the confidence to stay concise and clear, even when you’re nervous.  

If you’d like more tips on calming your nerves before an interview, check out our guide on how to calm interview nerves for more information or reach out to our team of recruitment consultants.