Aargh! just had an interview - just so bad at them! Anyone else?

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Honestly hate interviews. My nerves really get in the way and I just don't know what to say and end up saying some crap and waffling.

Just had the interview and feel exhausted. I know I can do the job but I just don't come across as well. I really need to find a job as I really hate my current one which I'm leaving at the end of next month.

Anyone else want to join in with my self pity?

Must be the only one! 😆

look upon it as an inter - view. i.e. get a couple of questions ready to ask them about the job or about the company. It shows you've done some homework on the company.
The interviewer is just a normal person like you and I - not somebody special. If the person being interviewed has a nice smile and a friendly hello that's a good start.

Do you have notes to refer to for your examples?
I feel for you, everyone gets nervous in an interview, but remember that they want you to do well.
Preparing well and practicing with someone may help.

I hear you. I absolutely hate them and most recently lost out on a job I would smash to someone who has half my qualifications. My own fault. I suck at interview.

Actually, someone who has none of my specialist qualifications. God I feel terrible all over again🤣

I just had one and completely fluffed it. I knew I was waffling but couldn't stop myself.

dogmandu that's the thing. I don't see them as the same as me. I see them as some big boss type person who's judging me and it makes me so nervous!

@Mrsmchammer

I hear you. I absolutely hate them and most recently lost out on a job I would smash to someone who has half my qualifications. My own fault. I suck at interview.

Actually, someone who has none of my specialist qualifications. God I feel terrible all over again🤣

Aww that's pretty rubbish. I'd feel pretty crap too. Im so rubbish at just selling my self and talking the talk. I actually put myself down in interviews! This one today isn't even the end of it at as there would be another round of interviews before an offer but I don't think I need to worry about that! Such a shame as the job sounded perfect me for me and it would have fitted perfectly around my other commitments.

Yep. Hate it. I’ve been turned down for jobs I know I’d be good at, and then seen the job readvertised so I know there wasn’t someone better on the day.

I always go in with a positive attitude, always tell myself not to waffle. Always end up waffling like an idiot, with the interviewers looking at me like I’ve just grown an extra head.

I hope you find success soon!

I do have notes but so many times they ask you a question that I've not thought about and that's what really throws me. I cant think on the spot and then think of stuff after! I have just accepted that I'll forever be in a low paid job as that's all I will ever be able to get. I get alot of interviews but can't seem to get the jobs!

do have notes but so many times they ask you a question that I've not thought about and that's what really throws me.

I've conducted many interviews and it's Ok to say ' let me just give that a moment's thought' before rushing in with some not really thought out answer. In fact it shows me that the person being interviewed has taken my question seriously and has enough confidence to admit to not having an immediate answer.

For me, ensuring my scenarios are flexible, noting down the question, following the STARA (last A is for how I would apply in the role I am interviewing for) keeps me on track.
For those of you who struggle have you asked colleagues or friends for help? Surely practicing and getting better would help you rather than being frustrated at failing every time.
I used to be awful at interviews but I took feedback, practised loads and prepared well and it has really helped. I don’t think anyone is really naturally good at interviews.

@Mrsmchammer

I hear you. I absolutely hate them and most recently lost out on a job I would smash to someone who has half my qualifications. My own fault. I suck at interview.

Actually, someone who has none of my specialist qualifications. God I feel terrible all over again🤣

I've just had similar.

I've recently been interviewing and the person who impressed me most listened to the questions (some scenario based) and took notes to prompt themself so they could give a good full answer. Virtual interviews give you an advantage. Also have different examples prepped that you can tailor to whatever the question might be. Good luck - you'll smash the next one.

I think everyone is a little out of touch at the moment with social interaction, no?
Was it online interview because this really sucks 😖

STAR technique.
Use it to think of a few (maybe 5-7) specific examples for skills / behaviours that are mentioned in the job spec.
Eg :
Good communication
Relationship building
Dealing with a difficult / challenging situation
Dealing with deadlines
Etc..

Then, and here’s the massive bonus with current video interviews, for each example, write the skill / behaviour and a prompt from your particular example on a piece of A4 and stick it on a large bottle next to the laptop to act as an aide memoire.
So, it might say:

Communication - convo with Sally
Relationships - starting new team
Challenging situation - difficult customer Mr X
And so on...

If you follow STAR, and write down a brief bit for each part, read it out loud, possibly practice them with someone, the A4 prompt should be fine. And you don’t need to use your STAR examples just for whatever skills / behaviours you’ve come up with. You can, of course, flex them depending on what questions are asked. But the point is, you’ve thought, in advance, of specific examples that you have to hand to use, if required.

I always go in with the feeling that I never had the job before the interview so I am not going to say things I dont mean just to creep up backsides.

The day I had my Ph.d. viva I had an interview in the afternoon so I was feeling pretty cocky. One of the interviewers and I disagreed so we have a very "robust" discussion. Subsequently I was offered the job on the basis of how I had fought my corner.

Another academic job I went after was advertised as full time. However at the interview I was asked if I would consider job share. I said no, because I had no other source of income and needed a full time post. I also said quite forcefully that I felt it was misleading to advertise a full time rather than a full time/possible job share vacancy. They subsequently offered me a job share but I declined, again stating how very misleading I considered their ad to be.