Interview Advice

[WishIhadacrystalball]

Hi everyone,
I have an interview coming up for my dream job, it’s a promotion in the field I already work in. I have previously done this role in an acting capacity to cover a maternity leave and it was fine, no issues and I did really well. I have amazing references from several bosses and a great cv that 90% of the time gets me an interview. The issue is I cannot pass an interview. It’s a panel interview and although I know my job and have a wealth of experience I just cannot articulate this at interview. Everyone tells me to be myself, talk about what I do and have done etc but I just can’t tick the right boxes when I am sitting in the hot seat. I think it’s how I structure my responses maybe?!
Basically does anyone have something that has worked for them to help them perform better? This particular role is exactly what I want to be doing and feel that I will have reached my career goals if I can get it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Do you use STAR?

www.themuse.com/advice/star-interview-method

Agree with STAR, and use it for prep.
So, put all the person specification onto a spread sheet and then write down an example for each one. If you can't think of one, google it. (e.g How do I demonstrate good communication skills/IT competency/awareness of diversity issues in an interview)
Then just practice. If you have a kindly friend then get them to ask questions, if not then either record yourself giving the answers or just keep practicing them out loud to yourself until you sound less of a muppet and more natural and fluent.
Good luck, you got this.

Was also going to say STAR - pretty universally recognised as a good way to answer, the balance is that and then being true to yourself, personally I really struggle but have found my better ones have been when I've been able to use STAR to answer the question which usually keeps it fairly succinct, then use the STA part again based on what I'd be looking to bring to the role

Similar to STAR, I use CARE: Cause (or situation), Action, Reaction, Evaluation (or reaction). When answering questions use structure (STAR or CARE) and give specific examples of situations you handled or were involved in. Try to have a few different examples that could fit a variety of questions, E.g. difficult customer, a problem, greatest achievement etc. Try to avoid answering ‘we did…’ unless it’s a teamwork question, and instead ‘I did…’. Focus on what you brought to the situation and the impact it had. Practice, practice, practice! If there’s a ‘what are your strengths and weaknesses’ questions, give actual weaknesses and how you’re trying to overcome them, I always think people sound a bit knob-ish when they give a weakness that’s actually a positive (“I work too hard…”!). Wishing you all the best!

Hi not sure if this is internal in which case they may just be holding you back to favour others ( cough less qualified men cough) or external.
My advice after being onnpanels is that they already know you can do the job, your c.f. and application have demonstrated that, what they are looking for is how you would fit in the chair with the others on the team.
Don't focus to much on what the right answer might be but on how you would actually approach the situation if you were sat in the chair . Look them in the eye talk with them as though they are your actual workmates. Try not to just nervously recite what you think they want to hear.
Prepare a question for when they ask you if there's anything youd like to know maybe about their experiences of the role.
Good luck. Be yourself if you can!

Thank you for all the great advice, I think just putting this out there is helpful. My family and colleagues are all supportive and feel I’ve got this but I don’t think they believe how terrible I am at interviews!
I do try to use star and use it when I am studying for interview. When I get there I don’t know what the questions will be and they have a score sheet to tick off what I have mentioned. I would say I start strong, first question always roughly the same skills and qualities so a bit nervous but go slow and calm down. Then 2nd question, unless it throws me, I normally manage to use star. As the interview goes on I think I panic and my head is swirling with what I haven’t said/mentioned and that’s when I think I start to go off track. Half way through an answer saying oh and this… I’ve mastered the eye contact and feel that they always compliment my personality and enthusiasm in my feedback so feel I am getting my personality across. When the panel are writing I think oh good I’m on the right track and if they aren’t writing then I think oh no change your answer 😂
Its external and all interviews have been as unfortunately will be no movement in my place of work anytime soon. If it was in my current place I think I’d be a good contender and know that my boss is keen for me to stay and move up in there. I always rehearse nonstop out loud, love doing this whilst driving and seem to do my best in the car. I think because I am focussing on something else. Same if I do it at home say when doing dishes. It’s when I stop to do it and just it I fall to pieces. Oh god I’m going to screw this up again 😂

You’ve been given some great advice about the content of your interview answers.

Please also think about giving attention to your body language and your voice. Body language should be assertive but open and friendly. Be sure to make eye contact with each panel member, not just the person who asked the question.

Your voice tone should avoid any strident notes so as not to grate on people’s ears. Adjust your speed and volume to suit your message. For your most important points, speak quietly so that the interviewers have to listen attentively. Use silences effectively.

The combination of relevant, structured content coupled with voice and body language to reinforce the message is very powerful.

Start by saying what you have said hear. That you are nervous and not good at interviews.

Thank you, I’ve had lots of time today to go over stuff and get some key points together. Will just study as hard as I can and rehearse out loud. Here’s hoping this is the time I can do this. The area this job is specialised in is why this is my dream job so it’s not just any promotion! I really appreciate you all taking the time to answer and for all the advice.

It sounds like you already know what to do but all the prep is stressing you out and then you panic in the room. Maybe it's time for a different approach?

It's a conversation about you and what you've done. You should be able to do that if you've genuinely got the right skills and experience for the job, so have faith in yourself and your abilities.

Get a good night's sleep, eat a decent breakfast and do a calming meditation in the morning. There are some good interview prep ones out there where you visualise yourself doing well at your interview. Also, sounds weird but try jumping up and down like you've scored a goal just before you go in. It gives you endorphins and helps you perform once you're in front of the panel.

Good luck!

Thanks @mumoffloofs i think this is exactly it! I always opt for the earliest time slot I can get so it’s out the way but this time have went for late afternoon just to try a different approach! I’ve had one really good interview and I was leading all day till the final candidate. That again was for a position I really wanted so possibly when I do I can pull it out the bag! Definitely will try your tips. Was thinking of using meditation this week at bedtime to hopefully help me wind down and get a good sleep. Definitely up for jumping though will be in the car park so might give them a right laugh!

In your position, I would bullet point the examples I wanted to give, take the actual list in with you and physically tick them off as you tell them about the examples. It gives you back control rather than your brain running away with you.

I think you need to prepare less, it sounds like your putting far too much pressure on yourself.

For each compatancy have an example. For each example write five or six key points. Take this into the interview if you can. Refer to if needed.

Also take in a short list of questions for them and your CV.

Good luck.

Just pause before you speak, it is easy to get into a word salad without actually saying what you need. Make sure you answer the question they have asked and I agree, take notes in with you (as well as the job description). It is a two way process so you are allowed to take notes on what they say as well.

keep then body language relaxed but formal and smile. Just treat it like a meeting.

Thanks everyone, I’m having a read through tips again before I sit down to study tonight. Have a meeting with my boss tomorrow as she wants to go over some stuff with me for it. Unfortunately I can’t take anything into the interview, I have been to a few and they give you the questions 10 minutes before which I can then take in with notes. I actually find this more stressful than the surprise element of being asked on the spot!

I learnt an 'elevator pitch' about myself and that really helped me speak fluently and be articulate.

I also really struggled i also interviews and recognise this feeling of getting derailed and of tack and then just loosing it and waffling. My throat also seems to close over and the room would soon etc!

I wouldn't tell them you are nervous. That will be patently obvious but nerves can affect performance significantly.

I did some really good mind mapping techniques and I could easily retrieve the answers I needed. On one sheet of a4 Boil down the person spec to five key "buying buttons" they are looking for - key skills the post holder needs to have. On another sheet of A4 my three key unique selling points USPs. Add three developments to each of the three USPs and add an example to each development. You should have 5 things they want, three USPs, 9 specifics with examples. Now match up and tweak the examples to fit the buying buttons.

Now practice reading the elevator pitch and record it on your phone. You will get more natural as you do this as ridiculous as it seems.

I've been there and did lots of research and it took me a long time. I went from totally bombing interviews to being successful and it really helped.

assuming you are using star already that is in addition to star. Star really should be implicit.