Anyone else terrible at interviews?

[Guardian12]

I have always struggled with job interviews. My mind goes blank, I trail off, generally just appear like an inarticulate airhead. I am aware of the star technique but there are always questions I don’t anticipate which throw me off.

I have two degrees and am reasonably intelligent and competent but this does not translate at interviews and has held me back career wise.

Has anyone been similar and able to overcome this?

I could have written this, down to the two degrees!

I haven’t really found a solution though, I’m still rubbish at them.

For one job I really wanted I paid for an interview coach the week before, and managed to get all my nerves/ waffle out of the way in the practice one and went into the real one feeling much more confident. I did get the job that time.

I'd say just breathe. It sounds like you're rushing answers and end up waffling. There's no harm in saying 'let me think' while you organise your thoughts.

If you're on Teams/Zoom it's even easier as you can have notes up on screen. Just have a typed answer with bullet points for examples of how you fit all the required job competencies.

YouTube is brilliant for finding examples and giving you confidence.

Me, completely. For at least 2 jobs in the past the interviewers have told me it was just as well they knew me as my interview was awful. I have been on courses, I practice, but then on the day, I'm just hopeless.

I guess you haven't been offered jobs after this.

I had a similar situation to you last week, OP. It was my first interview in years and dreadful. I just went blank. I had notes in front of me but couldn't focus on them. I hoped I mentioned enough keywords but I doubt it. Bumbling mess.

I've always been the same. Never understood why anyone would employ me after one of my displays of blankness and, arguably worse, remorseless truthtelling. I think I've probably only been offered jobs where they'd already decided to hire me if didn't turn up stark naked with shit in my hair. I was always good on paper.

Yes I get in my own head when it comes to interviews and have always walked away at the end cringing. But I think that's only natural. Not everything rests on what you say, experience and your personality can account for a lot.

Yep, partly the reason I stay in my current job because the thought of an interview makes me break out in a cold sweat.

Yes me, right down to the two degrees.

And I manage a team and give presentations. It's just interviews, appallingly bad at those.

I still have cringe thinking about my interview and it was a week ago. On paper I'm fine. I do am dram, and like performing, so intended to think of it as a performance/audition of sorts. Completely forgot to try that the minute the interview went live. Just waiting for the rejection email now 😞

I have a pre recorded interview next week. I don't know what I'm going to do frankly.

Are you me? I have two degrees yet have always worked in min wage type jobs because I am absolutely terrible in interviews. I do have two ND children and an ND parent though so there may well be more to my issues than just nerves etc..

Do you think you'd be better if you had the questions in advance? Even 10 minutes before? Because the people interviewing you want the best person for the job, not necessarily the one who is best at interviews!

Get lots of practice, go and meet people, recruiters, interviews, dole centre
Answer all their calls, do follow ups
and be comfortable in your own skin
Take notes to interviews, dress sharp and professional
Make eye contact and be comfortable. Feel as though they are your peer, not a president

I don't worry if I cannot answer a question, prefer it to waffling. However, that question basically what you did to make yourself shine (not explaining this very well!) e.g saved the company a fortune by doing X, speaking to y. Well I was a very small minnow so unlikely to have done anything to change the company around!

All I could think of was when a Greek doctor came and had accommodation but could not get in because no one was around. I basically went up to Victoria where the accommodation was and sat with her (very Greek! very emotional!) and bought her a coffee! Until we could get in at around 4.30 pm.

I don't help myself though. I am too truthful at times!

The only time I don't flunk an interview is when I don't really want the job.
I might try a beta blocker next time, if it's a job I want.

I went for a customer services job once and told them I didn't like speaking to people on the phone...I didn't get the job..