Insurmountable Interview Nerves - help!

[mucgwyrt]

I'm looking for a new job.

Problem is, a person only has to mention the mere possibility of an interview and I panic!

I can't breathe, I get wobbly and have to sit down, I go bright red and feel like I'm gonna faint!

I dont know what to do to get over this totally irrational fear (is it a fear? I guess it is). Any help would be SO appreciated! I've already ballsed up one interview by turning to mush as soon as I walked into the room and I dont want it to happen again...!
:wah:

[misschief]

i don't know ... my husband was what you could call 'with interview handicap' :lol:.. i think it was because he didn't really have to interview in the field he was in before. but anyway, i used to do interviewing and hiring and firing all day long, so i kind of told him what kind of things i expected to see and what i didn't, and he got better. *shrug*

[LisaT4P]

1. Relax & be yourself. I always look for personality when I'm interviewing. I want to know what type of person you are and if I'll get along with you if I hire you. Answer honestly, not with what you think I want to hear.

2. Do your homework. Know something about the company you're interviewing with. If they have a website, go and register if you need to & learn about them. Companies like it when you are interested & a bit knowledgeable already about what it is that they do.

3. Remember that the person across from you is a person too. They have to get up and get dressed & show up at work and the whole pant-leg one @ a time thing. They are just PEOPLE, not some kind of demented Anti-Justice Non-Hiring League! LOL They want a person who is likable and competent. You are that person. Show them! :)

[Seren_]

1. Relax & be yourself. I always look for personality when I'm interviewing. I want to know what type of person you are and if I'll get along with you if I hire you. Answer honestly, not with what you think I want to hear.

2. Do your homework. Know something about the company you're interviewing with. If they have a website, go and register if you need to & learn about them. Companies like it when you are interested & a bit knowledgeable already about what it is that they do.

3. Remember that the person across from you is a person too. They have to get up and get dressed & show up at work and the whole pant-leg one @ a time thing. They are just PEOPLE, not some kind of demented Anti-Justice Non-Hiring League! LOL They want a person who is likable and competent. You are that person. Show them! :)

Definitely. And try and think rationally about the whole thing as well. What's the worst that can happen? Well, you don't get the job. But there are other jobs out there, and at some point you will get a job. Think positive.

It's good to prepare for an interview, not just so you know about the company and so on, but so that you can get a bit more confident. Ask a friend or family member to do a dummy interview with you so you can think about your answers to the questions you'll be asked. Together you might be able to anticipate some of the harder questions they might ask you, so you can think of good answers. Having some "stock" answers will help if you panic a bit. Just think back to what you said when you were practising, and also remember what you said on your application form/CV.

[vikinggoddess]

Why not try a practice session with a partner or friend acting as the interviewer.

[mucgwyrt]

Thankyou all :hugz: I'll let you know how it goes.......

[Kalika]

Do you 'practice' your interviews beforehand?

I've found that this helps my nerves tremendously.

I also try to do a little research on the company I am applying for, and plan out some questions that I would like to ask the interviewer regarding the company, and what I have learned by doing my little background research.

I've found that taking the time to do this greatly impresses the person interviewing you - and gives you one more inch inside the door of employment. :)

Good luck!

[mucgwyrt]

Do you 'practice' your interviews beforehand?

I've found that this helps my nerves tremendously.

I also try to do a little research on the company I am applying for, and plan out some questions that I would like to ask the interviewer regarding the company, and what I have learned by doing my little background research.

I've found that taking the time to do this greatly impresses the person interviewing you - and gives you one more inch inside the door of employment. :)

Good luck!
Thats a great idea :smile:

No, I havent been practising my interviews beforehand...

Last time I was unemployed I was having lots of interviews for Graphic Design positions, and the interviews consist of "Hi, how are you? Lets see your portfolio then..." but now that I'm applying for administration and secretarial positions, the interviews are way more intense and the questions are so abstract!

I'm trying to come up with a list of questions I might get asked, and prepare answers to them - it's difficult trying to remember what I got asked last time though (I think I've blanked it out! :T )

[Kalika]

Thats a great idea :smile:

No, I havent been practising my interviews beforehand...

Last time I was unemployed I was having lots of interviews for Graphic Design positions, and the interviews consist of "Hi, how are you? Lets see your portfolio then..." but now that I'm applying for administration and secretarial positions, the interviews are way more intense and the questions are so abstract!

I'm trying to come up with a list of questions I might get asked, and prepare answers to them - it's difficult trying to remember what I got asked last time though (I think I've blanked it out! :T )

A lot of times, people will ask things like the following:

Tell me about a time you had to resolve a problem, what the problem was, and how you went about solving it.

Tell me about a time when attention to detail was important.

Tell me about a time that you were in a stressful situation - how did you handle it?

Any position that is high-stress or detail-oriented are generally going to result in questions like this - they will want to see how you deal with pressure.

I always prepare the night before... coming up with examples of things I have done in previous positions, from problem-solving, customer service, or technological standpoints, to dealing with difficult co-workers or managers. Having scenarios fresh in your mind helps you come up with examples when they throw off the wall questions at you.

Keep in mind what positions you have held, what you liked and didn't like about those positions, and what you want for your future. All 3 are also things that are likely to come up.

Be honest, but not too candid - don't say things like "I hated my boss, she was a real witch" - but say things like "At my previous job, I had a really tough boss. She wasn't very open with constructive criticism, and that made doing my job properly very difficult"

:)

Hope that helps!

Good luck!

[mucgwyrt]

A lot of times, people will ask things like the following:

Tell me about a time you had to resolve a problem, what the problem was, and how you went about solving it.

Tell me about a time when attention to detail was important.

Tell me about a time that you were in a stressful situation - how did you handle it?

Any position that is high-stress or detail-oriented are generally going to result in questions like this - they will want to see how you deal with pressure.

I always prepare the night before... coming up with examples of things I have done in previous positions, from problem-solving, customer service, or technological standpoints, to dealing with difficult co-workers or managers. Having scenarios fresh in your mind helps you come up with examples when they throw off the wall questions at you.

Keep in mind what positions you have held, what you liked and didn't like about those positions, and what you want for your future. All 3 are also things that are likely to come up.

Be honest, but not too candid - don't say things like "I hated my boss, she was a real witch" - but say things like "At my previous job, I had a really tough boss. She wasn't very open with constructive criticism, and that made doing my job properly very difficult"

:)

Hope that helps!

Good luck!
Thanks Kalika :hugz: that's really helpful :)

[Kalika]

Thanks Kalika :hugz: that's really helpful :)


:lol:

At your service. ;)

[mucgwyrt]

My interview went really well! :hugz:

I did turn to mush as predicted, but I asked if I could use their bathroom since I'd had a long drive, and used that time to take a few deep breaths and compose myself. After that it went really well! Even if I dont get the job, I'm just glad I've proven to myself that not all interviews go terribley; it has boosted my confidence and I wont be so petrified next time :smile:

Thanks for all your help and support :hugz: I'll let you know whether I get it or not :smile:

[Kalika]

:boing:

One good interview goes a long way.

Good luck!

[mucgwyrt]

I just got a call... (wow, that was quick, the interview was only this morning!)

I GOT IT!

:boing: :boing: :boing: :boing:

I'm over the moon! :awilly:

They said they were very impressed :toofless:

[Kalika]

:woot:

Go Mucgwyrt, go Mucgwyrt....

_travolta_

[mucgwyrt]

Cookies for everyone! :fpompoms

_cookie_ _cookie_ _cookie_ _cookie_