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Original poster

I have an interview today and I'm terrified :(

61 replies

swiggless · 09/05/2021 07:32

I have an interview today (I know, a Sunday is odd timing) at 9 and I'm so scared that I'm debating cancelling. I actually know the people so it's not a case of 'if I mess up, I never have to see them again'. I really need this job but I'm so, SO nervous that I think I might be sick Sad should I cancel?

OP posts:
BestOption · 09/05/2021 07:58

@swiggless

No need to be 'sorry' here 💐

But come on, you CAN do this! Imagine us as tiny tiny people all going with you.

Go and stand at your back door (if you have one! I don't do front door it is for me!) & Breath in some fresh air for a few minutes. It really does help. Have a drink (water/tea - not alcohol!). And something to eat - even if it's only a biscuit.

What time does it start & how are you getting there?

FireworksAndSparklers · 09/05/2021 08:06

Go and be sick if you need to. Be ok with the anxiety. It's just a thing. Try to see it as that. I'm not trying to diminish how you feel - my daughter vomits from anxiety too. But, honestly, this is not a case of whether to cancel or not, it's how you get through the next hour or so and how to work with your anxiety without it getting in your way and stopping you going for a job you really want.

Sooodone · 09/05/2021 08:08

Concentrate on how good you will feel when it’s over and you can relax. Whether it goes well or not it’s experience and will make future interviews easier. Good luck, keep breathing, it’s as much to see if the job is a good fit for you as anything else. I know how you feel, I had the exact same thing last week, but once there and sat chatting nerves disappeared.

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Original poster
swiggless · 09/05/2021 08:11

@BestOption it starts at 9:20 and I'm walking, it's 10 mins away but it's pouring.

OP posts:
SwanShaped · 09/05/2021 08:19

Don’t cancel. I did an interview recently and felt so sick beforehand. Also had a night where I couldn’t sleep. It was terrible. But if you give in to your anxiety then you confirm that they’re right. You have to do it anyway. Didn’t get that job but had another interview a few days later and felt a lot less nervous. Whereas if I’d cancelled the first one, I would have been just as nervous for the second one. Got the second one!

MikeWozniaksGloriousTache · 09/05/2021 08:22

I’ve been in your position. I’ve never found the “fake confidence” advice very helpful, as when you’re going through a major anxiety episode you can just switch it off. And if you’ve never been confident you don’t know how to do that.

For me, the anticipation is always worse than the experience when it comes to interview (and anything to do with my anxiety). Interviewers are well adept at interviewing nervous candidates, they’ll take the nerves into consideration. I’ve on a few occasions struggled with forming sentences because of the anxiety and simply said “sorry I’m very nervous can I just take a second” have a drink, breathe and refocus.

Interviewing with someone you know I think is always worse too! But, think about it pragmatically, if the worst happens and you completely mess up and you have to see this person again what’s the worst thing about that? Awkward embarrassment which will inevitably fade in time. This is the biggest thing that’s happening in your day today, but I guarentte afterwards they’ll make a decision and likely forget about it WAY quicker than you will, so the next tkme you see them (if the worst happens and you don’t get the job) they’ll likely not remember in as great detail as you will! They’ll MAYBE remember you were nervous and could have done better but it will be a fleeting thought and I guarantee they won’t give it more than a moments thought.

Or you could be nervous, maybe mess stuff up but still absolutely smash it!! So the outcomes are only not much will change, or you’ll haves mint new job!!

Obviously this is just my way of handling things and my view which may not work for you but please know you’re not alone with these thoughts.

You can do this!

Igmum · 09/05/2021 08:24

Good luck. Think or write through the answers to questions they are likely to ask (why do you want this job, give me an example of when you did x or y, tell me more about z, have you any questions). Lots of nice tangible examples of things you have done you can tell them about. Remember these people know you and they think you are worth interviewing so you are. Good luck

Todaywillbegood · 09/05/2021 08:25

You can do this! The suggestion of putting some cold water on your face is a good one. Take deep breaths too. Say to yourself 'I can do this', I recommend saying that out loud and in front of the mirror too. Sounds crazy but it can help.

JSL52 · 09/05/2021 08:26

Go for it , nerves can be a good thing. They'll expect you to be nervous , GOOD LUCK 🤞🏼

LagneyandCasey · 09/05/2021 08:43

I've had interviews where I was so nervous I thought I was going to run away. Within a couple of minutes of starting the interview the nervous feeling just disappears and I relax.

Fake it till you make it is great advice. Do you know someone who is very confident? Try and channel their confidence and act how they would act until you've relaxed into the Interview.

Wishing you all the best, op.

Brogues · 09/05/2021 08:56

Good luck. It’s like stage fright isn’t it? You have a performance today so it’s natural to be nervous. Don’t forget antiperspirant and don’t be afraid to take a breath/moment to gather your thoughts if you get a bit stuck.

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 09/05/2021 15:09

Did you go?

AlmostSummer21 · 09/05/2021 15:56

I hope you went, but it's ok if you didn't 💐

Come & tell us what you did & how your day had been ☕️

LagneyandCasey · 09/05/2021 17:09

Here to chat or debrief if you need us, op Flowers

CandyLeBonBon · 09/05/2021 17:11

@swiggless

I have an interview today (I know, a Sunday is odd timing) at 9 and I'm so scared that I'm debating cancelling. I actually know the people so it's not a case of 'if I mess up, I never have to see them again'. I really need this job but I'm so, SO nervous that I think I might be sick Sad should I cancel?
This was me a month ago. Did loads of prep but was convinced I was punching above my weight and burst into tears an hour before thinking I should just pull out.

I'm glad I didn't because I got the job and I'm in my 4th week!

Hope it went ok!

CornishTiger · 09/05/2021 17:11

Hope it went well today.

I like the earlier advice of giving your anxiety a name and telling it to fuck off.

Original poster
swiggless · 09/05/2021 18:25

Guess woo has a job Grin

OP posts:
24GinDrinkingOnceTheKidsInBed · 09/05/2021 18:27

Ahhh amazing news! Congratulations OP! Hope you can wind down and have a well deserved wine/gin/beer tonight! Flowers

FireworksAndSparklers · 09/05/2021 18:31

@swiggless

Guess woo has a job Grin
OMG that is fantastic news!!! I've been thinking about you all day, believe it or not. And, I know it's very patronising to say, but I'm so proud of you for going ahead with it despite your debilitating nerves and it was absolutely worth it! Bravo!!! Now go journal what helped, how you got past it, and remember everything for next time and also to help someone who brings their fear to you in the future. Huge congratulations!!! Flowers
AnonGlitterBomb · 09/05/2021 18:35

Yay! That’s amazing news, congratulations! GrinFlowers

Justa47 · 09/05/2021 18:37

@swiggless

That’s great. So pleased you did it.
Have a glass and a bath. !

So happy!! Well done you!

LagneyandCasey · 09/05/2021 18:40

@swiggless

Guess woo has a job Grin
Hooray, op! Congratulations! Go celebrate 🍾
SwanShaped · 09/05/2021 18:44

Wonderful.

Nandakanda · 09/05/2021 18:44

Brilliant!!

Sooodone · 09/05/2021 18:47

Brilliant news, congratulations!

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