A job interview is a crucial aspect when attempting to receive a job offer. Because of its importance, an interview can elicit both positive and negative emotions that can have an impact on one’s interview performance (Fox & Spector, 2000; Powell et al., 2018). Specifically, a candidate’s positive affect and interview anxiety can be significant factors in whether they receive a job offer or not. Self-image and compassionate goals have been shown to influence affective experiences within social contexts (Crocker & Canevello, 2008). Therefore, this study aimed to test whether positive affect and state anxiety in job interviews are predicted by self-image and compassionate goals. Participants (N = 138) were randomly assigned to receive either a compassionate goal manipulation or a self-image goal manipulation or they were assigned to a control group. They then participated in an online mock job interview and reported their positive affect and state anxiety before and during the interview. Results indicate that the self-image goals and compassionate goals manipulations did not work in activating their respective goals. In addition, no differences between the three conditions for either state anxiety or positive affect were found. Implications for these findings are discussed, including recommendations for job interviews in practice.