Job interview TOMORROW EeEeEeEek!!!!!

[burstingbug]

Help!
Don't know what to do!
It's for an internal position for the next pay band up. I've been with the company for 6 years at the lowest pay band. I know what the new work entails, I have done most of the work at some point or another over time. I know who will be on the interview panel and get on fine with them.

So why am I so worried?
I have no self confidence, I clam up in interviews and don't know what to say or how to answer questions. I am generally a pessimist.

All my colleagues like me and say that I could do the job without a problem, and basically doing most of it anyway. I am highly commended in my staff reports about my interpersonal skills and how flexible I am.

So why am I getting so panicky about this????

It's not the end of the world, I'll still have a job at the end of the day, I have nothing to loose and everything to gain.

Maybe I just needed to write this down, maybe I'm looking for some help and some answers - I don't know.

If you've managed to get this far, thank you for taking the time to listen.

[pinkteddy]

Have a read through the person spec and think through examples of where you meet the criteria eg: good communication skills - think of examples of presentations/reports/press releases/discussions with staff/teams you have done. Is there anyone else going for it internally - do you know who? If so think about your strengths as opposed to theirs and which areas you are stronger in. Think of your key achievements over the past year. Most of all sell yourself and give lots of examples. Good luck!

[burstingbug]

Thanks Pinkteddy,

As far as I know - I am the only person going for it, so no competition

My job isn't that exciting as I'm in admin. Lots of filing, reception desk duties, data entry, travel bookings and meeting support.
One meeting I helped to support generated income for us which was mentioned in my staff report, will try and play that up a bit, even if it was only making name badges and sorting out travel & accommodation.

I see myself frantically scribbling notes during work in the morning.
Can I take bullet point notes in???

I thrive on the diverse range of people I get to meet from couriers to top scientists!
Customer focus, customer service.
Flexibility and the need to be able to prioritise work.

My willingness to attend courses to acquire new skills to broaden my knowledge to benefit the company.

Maybe I ought to print this off

[flowerybeanbag]

burstingbug I wouldn't take notes in other than of questions you want to ask (make sure you have some decent ones).

Do what pinkteddy says about examples. If they are good interviewers they will ask you for examples of how you have demonstrated each of the things on the person spec. If they don't, answer using examples anyway. You obviously have the skills and experience required, otherwise they wouldn't be considering you for the job, so get clear in your head an example of when you have successfully demonstrated everything you need to, and also have a think about what you learned from it, would you do anything differently, etc

Remember they must think you are capable of doing this job, you are good enough. Try to relax but don't be over-familiar just because you know and get on with your interviewers. Before you go in take a breath and relax your neck and shoulders, this is where you will get tense. Every so often during the interview, in between questions, just do the same, take a breath and relax your shoulders and neck, it helps honestly!

Good luck!

[burstingbug]

1 hour to go before the nightmare begins!!

[DumbledoreWithBoughsOfHolly]

I can't help you with interview technique. I can hardly answer to my name in interviews. BUt you sound like you will know what you are talking about and, as the interviewers already know you, they will probably be kind to you no matter what you say.

Good luck! Long deep breaths between now and 2 o'clock!

[DumbledoreWithBoughsOfHolly]

How did it go?

[pinkteddy]

Yes how did it go bb? And hello flowery glad to see you back!

[flowerybeanbag]

[burstingbug]

Hi,
Only just managed to log on!
God knows how I did it, as my interview was pants! I could hardly get any words or sentences out and kept repeating myself.
I passed the board and have got the job
I was the only one who applied and they only took a short while to reach their decision.
It was agreed that I was a crap interviewee, but that I do know what I'm doing and and do my job well enough to be let loose on the new position
It didn't help that whilst my boss was giving me the debrief I broke down into tears due to the shear anxiety build up and relief of it all being over
My colleagues thought I didn't get the job as I came out of the meeting room sobbing and went straight out for some fresh air.
Everyone was really pleased for me, but wondered why I didn't look happy about it. Guess it's all sinking in and I'm having to think about what my new role will bring.

I've been told to work on my confidence a self esteem which are the main things that bring me down.

Thanks for being there guys

[pinkteddy]

Congratulations! Maybe they can offer you some assertiveness training or some sort of coaching/mentoring? Well done.

[flowerybeanbag]

That's brilliant news, well done burstingbug! I am assuming you will probably have some kind of meeting with whoever your boss will be in this new role? Take the opportunity to discuss your development needs and how these can be met - go in with some proactive ideas of how you can improve your confidence and self esteem and what support you might need to do this. And take heart from the fact that despite your interview not being stunningly good, they must think a lot of you to have confidence in your ability to do the job.

Pep talk over!

[DumbledoreWithBoughsOfHolly]

Fantastic Bursting Bug. Really pleased for you. You sound like me: crap at interviews but great at your job. I have always managed to get into jobs by the back door, ie by taking on a role temporarily, proving myself in the role and then getting a permanent contract on the back of my work record rather than through interviews.

Never mind about your crap interview technique. You are now in a new role on the basis of how good you are at your job. Someone could be a great interviewee but then be bad at their job. At least you are good at what matters most. Congratulations to you.

[burstingbug]

Thanks
I now have my official letter telling me that I have been promoted to my new role .
I still have the same boss, I need to pick a time to talk through everything with him and my colleague about defining my role.
Doesn't help that she was off today and again tomorrow, then I'm off for all next week!
I found a card on my desk this morning which was nice congratulating me from a couple of colleagues (one of which was the 2nd interviewer!).
My confidence and self esteem needs heaps of work which I will need to look into on my week off, but I know I will get support from work.