Interview nerves.

[funkychickendancer]

I suffer terribly with interview nerves. I prepare myself as best I can but when the time comes and I am being interviewed I fall apart. My mind goes blank and I know whatever I say sounds like garbelled nonsense. I worry about everything from the way the interviewer/s look at me and their tone in which they speak. I think about it way too much beforehand and panick at interview as I try and remember my answers to possible questions. I worry that my responses to their questions sound too rehearsed. How can I come accross more naturally? If they ask, 'what makes a good team' and 'what are your strengths' aren't the answers pretty much the same? When answering these questions, I find that I repeat myself. Sorry if I sound daft but I am a bag of nerves right now.

[Kernowgal]

I'm like this too, but don't forget that you are also interviewing them to see whether you really want to work there/whether the job is right for you. This is something I've tended to forget in the past, but it seems to help, as it makes me less passive in the interview.

I don't think answers that sound rehearsed are a bad thing at all; it helps show you've prepared for the interview in advance rather than winging it on the day. I would try to avoid clichés though.

Recently I've done 'practice' interviews with a family member or friend - google some standard (and not-so-standard) interview questions, and get them to ask you the questions and then rate your answers. They might have some helpful feedback.

Finally, deep breath before you answer questions, and take your time answering them. Good luck!

[YellowRiver]

Oh poor you funkychicken, I can really empathise. I'm very good at making presentations and talking to new people, except in interviews. Somehow it feels so personal, I lose my confidence. But I always pause, take a deep breath, and if it's really bad I also tell them I'm nervous. Nobody has ever had a problem with me saying that, and I have been offered jobs even after what I thought were bad stuttery interviews.

I'm sure many interviewers would rather hire someone who obviously cares about the job and getting things right than someone who walks in like they're already in charge. The person hiring has been in your shoes and knows what it feels like.

If you feel like you might sound over-rehearsed, have you considered taking a more laid-back approach, and just having an overview of what you want to say/ask instead of memorising potential answers? I always find it's better to listen to their questions and answer in a focused way rather than trying to crowbar in stock answers you think are good. My technique, if they ask me a tricky one, is to bat it back to them and ask, 'in what way?', or 'what do you mean?' then while they are rephrasing the question it gives me longer to think of a more pithy answer!

My worst interview was during a bout of food poisoning and I actually vommed in the middle of a question. It was a phone interview and I had the presence of mind to cut them off. When they called back I blamed the signal. They offered me the job. You can't get much worse than that!

Good luck, really wishing you the best with your job hunt!

[YouSmegHead]

First thing is to breathe, secondly take a sip of water, then a deep breath. Do not focus on anything other than the question you are trying to answer. If it is a competency question use the star format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in fact where ever it will fit use this structure for your answer. Remember it is a two way process, you are seeing if they are a right fit for you too.

[funkychickendancer]

Unsuccessful on this occasion.
I tried to come across more relaxed and confident but failed miserably. Had a couple of blank moments when interviewer asked questions and I paused perhaps a tadge too long before answering and probably said the wrong thing. I do lack confidence and I am shy not helped by the fact that people feel the need to point that out to me. I have been reminded of this many times which makes me paranoid at interviews because I think potential employers see that too.