To beg you all for some interview help?

[FlameGrilled]

I know iabu to post this here but I'm really hoping someone might be able to give me some advice please?

I've managed to secure an interview for a job similar to what I'm doing now. My current job is ending soon as it's fixed term and posts are quite rare in this field (mostly I have applied for funding rather than interviewing for posts). The job I'm interviewing for also pays more than the industry average which is adding to my anxiety.

I've never been good at interviews, I get so worked up and anxious, I stutter and forget what I wanted to say and sometimes the questions. This is worse the more I want the job. I'm feeling anxious just typing this . I'm confident I can do the job but I'm terrified of the interview. The last job I interviewed for involved a presentation which I ballsed up spectacularly and it's still vivid in my memory - I didn't get the job. This job has some kind of pre interview task but I don't know what that is.

So, how do you prepare well for an interview? What sort of things should I be thinking about? How do you control nerves and anxiety?

The other thing is I'm not sure what to wear. I always wear suits to interviews but I don't currently have one that fits. Should I definitely wear one? If so I will go and buy one today.

I'd be ever so grateful if anyone can give me some words of wisdom. TIA .

I've just contacted HR and apparently they haven't been informed of the successful candidate yet so they could still be deciding. They said I will definitely receive a call either way so I feel better about that. Still don't think I've got it but on goes the nervous waiting!

Good that you got in touch with them. I really hope you find out soon!

And if you don't get it then make sure you push for feedback. When I've got feedback in the past it's come from the recruiting manager via HR, but I had to pester them for it.

Hi Flame, I think there are a couple of reasons why they haven't contacted you yet.

1. They selected someone else but that person hasn't accepted yet so they can't tell the unsuccessful applicants yet as they may need to offer the job to some one else (this happened in my organisation once).

2. They haven't been able to agree yet as one of the interviewers is off sick or something.

3. They are just not very organised. I was told once that I would be informed "early in the week" if I had been successful, I didn't hear anything and as the end of the week came closer I was so sure I hadn't got the job. I got the call on the Friday to say I had been successful!

Whatever has happened I do think it's rude not to update candidates and apologise for the delay in letting them know. Don't give up hope yet though.

Good luck!

Thank you both. I've just heard back, they left a voicemail. I didn't get the job They said they'd like to give me feedback because I interviewed well but obviously there were some areas I was weak.

I'm not that surprised but I'm disappointed as it was such a great opportunity plus the salary meant I could have come off benefits (single parent). I'm not sure what to do next as my contract is ending this month and there's nothing else similar being advertised right now. I could apply for funding, make a proper go of a side business I've had for a while or look for something completely different. So some big decisions to make.

I feel strangely ok, I think because they at least said I interviewed well but will know more once I call for feedback.

Thanks for the help and encouragement everyone .

Oh I'm sorry to hear that Flame. Good that they said you interviewed well, now you can build on the feedback and smash it next time.

It's good that you have some options. I really hope it all works out well for you! I am in a v similar position, have just (finally, after months of applying...!) got a job in my field, but it's only part time so I need to keep on with my crappy retail job too.

Best of luck!