You saw Sylvester Stallone do it in Rocky. For many applicants, preparing for a job interview looks similar to a training montage as they have to get in a mental state that will lead them to succeed. What is better than listening to a song that will get you in “the zone?”

There are many parallels between athletes and applicants who are getting ready for a job interview. After all, they both are looking for a way to enhance their performances, to show their true value, and to stand out in a crowd. Watch any pre-sporting event, and you will see the players wearing headsets. Music has a way of channeling the player’s thoughts and help them visualize their objectives. The same can apply to regular people trying to gather their thoughts before what could be a life-changing event.  

Here are four songs to listen to before your interview that can get you in the zone.

“We Will Rock you” by Queen

“Buddy, you’re a young man, hard man, shouting in the street, gonna take on the world someday.” You probably recognized Brian May’s lyrics from the song “We will Rock you” recorded in 1977 by the legendary English band Queen. Often listed as one of the most uplifting songs that people listen to, it has everything you need before an interview to deliver that “pump.” A 2014 study led by Derek D. Rucker, co-chair of Faculty Research at Northwest University, theorized how empowering music can be.

“One thing we know from prior research is that people who feel powerful tend to make the first offer in negotiations. Essentially, power is a propensity to act, to take charge of the situation,” explains Rucker.

After listening to music, participants were asked whether they would prefer to go first or second in a debate. Indeed, those who listened to the high-power playlist opted to go first almost twice as often (34%) as those who’d listened to the low-power playlist (20%). “We Will Rock You” definitely empowers the listener through a stomp-stomp-clap-pause beat, and a power chorus that without a doubt, provides the thrill of being in a crowd.

Nada Yoga

The stress of an interview can be immense but pressure is important. Practitioners of yoga are known for using meditation to eases their nerves and focus their minds on what really matters. Yogis can reach that state by practicing Nada Yoga. According to the website easternspirituality.com, it is “both a philosophical system, a medicine, and a form of yoga. Nada yoga’s use of sound vibrations and resonances are also used to pursue palliative effects on various problematic psychological and spiritual conditions. It is also employed to raise the level of awareness of the postulated energy centers called chakra.” Listening to Nada Yoga is unlike listening to regular music genres as it encapsulates more than notes. It will help you channel your thoughts and be more in the moment. 

“Ode to Joy” by Beethoven 

You heard this song at least once in your life without necessarily be able to name it. The crescendo starts slowly. The soothing notes calm your mind, and you feel in harmony with the rest of the world, until the horns start. Next thing you know, you now feel like shouting with newfound confidence on every rooftop of the world. You are no longer afraid of forgetting parts of your resume or how to answer questions regarding your biggest flaws. A study conducted by the University of Helsinki explains this phenomenon: “Listening to music enhanced the activity of genes involved in dopamine secretion and transport, synaptic function, learning, and memory. ”  

“Ode to Joy,” which is the European Anthem, represents the triumph of universal brotherhood and will make you feel triumphant in your search for a new career. 

“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor

We mentioned Rocky at the beginning of this article, so how can we not finish with one of the best songs to get ready for an interview? “Eye of the Tiger” is forever attached to Sylvester Stallone’s character, Rocky, who through hard work and persistence overcame his shortcomings and became a world-class boxing champion. When Stallone met with the owners of Survivor’s label, Scotti Brothers Records, he asked for” something with a pulse, something with a vibe.”  This is a song for those who have something to prove, for those who see this job interview as the final adversary on their road to a great job. 

Getting in the right mind set is a difficult task but with this playlist, you will be sure to find something that will be a good fit to your taste but also to your mental state. Many of us have moved to virtual positions since the pandemic. Check out those tips and lessons to adjust to this new work life.