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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Interview tomorrow but I'm broken

164 replies

Dailymailshutyamouth · 10/01/2018 16:34

I've got a big interview tomorrow for something I've always wanted to do since graduating.

I've prepared but I just feel so anxious. I feel like they'll laugh at me for thinking I even have a chance. I can't stand my voice and I feel like I'm rambling.

I feel broken this week. I've had a hellish time since breaking up with my narc ex, being sucked back in and then dropped again this weekend. I feel like crying all the time, I can't eat properly. And the worst thing is I can't speak to anyone about it because they're all saying they knew he would leave me again.

I feel like when i go tomorrow they'll just knock me back and so there's no point. Aibu to ring and cancel ? 😔

OP posts:
chocolateworshipper · 10/01/2018 17:26

Don't cancel. You got this.

I don't know if will help you, but I will tell you a little trick that helped me recently when I was in a blind panic about something. I saw the film Bridge Of Spies, and one of the characters was in a very worrying situation, but when he was asked "aren't you worried>" he would reply "would it help?" Somehow, every time I was starting to panic, I was able to repeat the phrase "would it help?" to myself and it really did help me. The thing I was in a real panic about actually turned out absolutely fine, so thank goodness I didn't waste too much energy worrying about it.

Very best of luck to you Flowers

MaximaDeWit · 10/01/2018 17:27

Disagree strongly with GingerbreadMa! Likelihood is they'll offer to someone this time. That could be you! You want this so just need to channel the energy.

It will be excellent experience if nothing else and there will be other opportunities. If you don't get this one then you'll have this interview under your belt and will be in a better position for the next time!

ShellyBoobs · 10/01/2018 17:28

That’s all well and good, Gingerbread, but if it’s a one-off chance then messing up is no worse than not going.

Relatively few jobs get re-advertised due to poor applicants and many jobs only come up once in a blue moon.

I think that backing out in the hope of getting to interview for the same role again when you’re feeling better is an incredibly long shot.

Guiltypleasures001 · 10/01/2018 17:34

Deep breath

Then Repeat after me

Fuck him and the horse he rode in on

Then go pick outfit and get ready everything you will need, to avoid faff tomorrow

Then leave house repeating above with head up , shoulders back and chest out

Any negative thoughts that creep in to your mind are to be swatted away with a mental image
Of a giant fly swatter and told to fuck off.

Once over and out, coffee and cake then home for a large gin, then you can fall apart but not before

He will not beat you this time 💐

blueshoes · 10/01/2018 17:39

Gingerbread do you work in a very small market? It sounds like it if you bump into your interviewers and jobs don't get filled first time round and get re-advertised.

For a graduate entry, I would find it hard to believe they could not fill a milk round position. OP may possibly burn her bridges with this particular department in this particular organisation with this particular set of interviewers by interviewing badly. But by the time another job comes up in this department, the interviewers could have left/changed, the job spec/role changed and OP would have more relevant experience by then.

I think OP has more to lose by cancelling than going but bombing (which I do not seriously believe she will).

Glitterspy · 10/01/2018 17:39

This is the beginning of the next part of your life, without him. It's all up from here. Passion willingness and commitment to learning count for a lot in interviews particularly at entry level (without knowing what field you're into). Try to actively set thoughts of him/how you currently feel aside. Try to be yourself and show how much you care about this. Good luck!

toomanycreambuns · 10/01/2018 17:45

Don't cancel!

You got an interview so you're in with a really good chance. Do as much prep as you can tonight and get all your clothes sorted. This could be just the fresh start you need.

I've just been offered a bloody fantastic job. The odds were stacked against me too and I didn't think I would get it.

Go tomorrow and let us know how you get on. Good luck! Smile

Jacobismyboy · 10/01/2018 17:46

Ok recently I was in an interview situation... my first in 13 years. The boss I was trying to escape from had utterly destroyed my confidence. A friend of mine... who I met on here.... told me to watch a TED talk. Basically it was about stance and faking it till you make it. Anyway one of the poses was to stand in front of the mirror right before the interview, put your hands on your hips legs apart and say 'I AM WONDERWOMAN'
all I can say is im very grateful to her as it worked for me and every time I felt myself faltering at interview i thought back to it and I got the job.
You have got this.
Good luck

FluffyWhiteTowels · 10/01/2018 17:48

Good luck for tomorrow.

Please don't cancel. Even if you don't get the job you will gain valuable experience. It's a tough world. Forget your ex. Now is for you. You have already achieved loads by getting an interview.

Lizzie48 · 10/01/2018 17:53

I don't know what StrungOutMummy said, but I'm glad it got deleted quickly. Some posters just get a weird kick out of being unkind.

You can do it, OP. ThanksDon't let your ex deprive you of your dream job, you definitely won't get it if you don't go.

WellThisIsShit · 10/01/2018 18:04

I see others have said what I was going to say, which means it’s fabulous advice and you must therefore follow it immediately! Wink

I was going to say, stop focusing on the idea of getting the job, or rather, failing to get the job. It’s too high stakes, and paralysing with fear. Think about it as interview practice. Assume you’ll not get it this time and that’s absolutely fine. It’s not a failure because you’re not aiming for it.

What would you like to achieve instead? Set some new goals?

Maybe...

Go to the interview.
That would be ruddy amazing given how hard life’s been kicking you recently. It’s a Good Goal to set. Something to be proud of achieving. Really. I’m not just being kind, I mean it. Your self esteem is at rock bottom, you don’t have anyone in real life to support you right this moment. And you’re trying to do something that you really want but think is waaaaay beyond you, because you don’t think you deserve anything. So, although I don’t know you, I’m proud of you. I’m proud of you even thinking about going to this interview. I’m proud that you’ve still got that little spark inside that’s not letting you give up hope. That’s amazing and you need to give that little spark some space and some air because it can grow into a little bright flame... of life and hope and love and all that good stuff! One day you’re going to be a firework, but today, just concentrate on not letting that spark get squished by all the rubbish around you.

So.... let’s think about some little bit super important achievements. Each one is something to be proud of and should give you a bit of a boost as you do it.

Break down that bigger goal of getting into the interview, into all the little bits you can tick of as you do them. Each one is a great step forwards to get under your belt. Take them one by one, don’t look ahead.

Eg a few bites of light breakfast, sips of water, getting dressed up, more water, planning travel, travel to address. Finding the entrance. Walk through door. Smile at receptionist. Speak to her/him. Sit in waiting room. Nip to loo, take some deep breaths and some more sips of water. Smile and make eye contact with interviewer. Shake hands with interviewer. Say hello. Sit down in interview room. Answer first question.... if you do all that, you have achieved So Much.

You will have given yourself such a big step forwards, because you’ll have shown yourself you can do all that. And that means that next time, you’ll be confident and secure that you can do all that and you’ll be one step closer to the job you want in life.

Personally, I wouldn’t even think about the rest of the interview, but, if you are feeling super brave, you could give yourself another goal for in the interview itself? Like, answer 3 questions with confidence.

That’s it, just three, no more, don’t start thinking you have to be perfect and anything less than perfection is failure... because that’s how the voices in your head can beat you down and you end up not even noticing when you’ve done something good.

And that’s It. You CAN do this. And more than that, I think you need to do this, for yourself. Everything has been a drain on you recently, taking away self esteem, time, energy, everything from you, but this is about giving something back to yourself. Giving yourself some hope and faith, and some experience. Building interview skills which is something that is purely for you, which is a good thing, for now and for the future you.

Flowers
BackInTheRoom · 10/01/2018 18:05

@Dailymailshutyamouth

You said it 'nac ex'. They're not normal. Get some Complan and a banana before you go in to the interview, practice some breathing techniques, Google if necessary, and imagine yourself in a years time. What does it look like? Really try to visualise you somewhere safe and relaxed and where you're at peace..... No more drama and upset....it's all gone and you're a bit happier. Thanks

Bumsnetnetbums · 10/01/2018 18:16

I did this.
Once dressed and on way adreniline kicked in. I got it and a pay increase.
Go for it xx

Dailymailshutyamouth · 10/01/2018 18:55

Thank you so much for all the lovely encouraging comments. You don't know how much it means, seriously.

It makes me so heartened to see how lovely strangers can be. Really from the bottom of my heart you've all helped so much.

@ WellthisIsShit your post in particular made me cry. Thank you

OP posts:
BackInTheRoom · 10/01/2018 19:06

@WellThisIsShit

Omg I just read your post! Seriously good advice and so nicely explained😊. Weird, I can almost hear your voice and intonation in it too!? Can we be mates IRL?!!

DrMumMum · 10/01/2018 19:33

I often sit on interview panels. I have a particular soft spot for those candidates who are anxious. Please don't cancel. Better things are ahead. Go and be the best you can be. Good luck.

Dailymailshutyamouth · 10/01/2018 19:49

Just for context as well this is a role within the NHS. It's a research based as well as clinical role.

OP posts:
GingerbreadMa · 10/01/2018 19:59

Just for context as well this is a role within the NHS. It's a research based as well as clinical role
Thats what I interviewed for!
Due to the research aspect top management sat in as they were signing off on the funding. And the clinical panalist was a specialist who works trust wide. The only people I can really avoid are the academic panalists although one is a tutor on a post grad module I want to do.

I was VERY well prepared. I just wasnt myself at all and should have cancelled. Looking back I realise that they would have considered me in the future if I had cancelled and by going and thinking I could "fake it" for the hour or so I really shot myself in the foot. Not just for that role.

Bumsnetnetbums · 10/01/2018 20:02

Is it a research nurse?

GingerbreadMa · 10/01/2018 20:04

P.s. the problem is not that I didnt get THAT job. The problem is that I presented a dodgy version of myself that really doesnt represent my usual self at all to important people when I should have been home licking my wounds.

GingerbreadMa · 10/01/2018 20:09

When research money is involved they usually will postpone a decision if there is still a strong candidate who cant interview until later!

toomanycreambuns · 10/01/2018 20:17

Op, don't cancel. It sounds like a great opportunity and once you get your foot in the door of the NHS you are potentially set for life.

Just because GingerbreadMa has a tale of woe it doesn't mean that's what will happen to you. You have every chance of getting this job. Please go for it!

Dailymailshutyamouth · 10/01/2018 20:44

Not a research nurse no, don't really want to say as it might be outing 😶

It's quite rare to interview for this role.

I'm going to go for it I've read up on my notes all night. I might as well

OP posts:
WellAlwaysHaveParis · 10/01/2018 20:46

Pleeeese don't cancel OP!! You can do this!!!! FlowersStar

LifeOfBriony · 10/01/2018 20:59

They won't laugh at you and they won't know you're broken. They will know what you have already told them in your application, and what you will demonstrate and evidence on the day. Be the best you can be, dress and behave like the successful applicant, and put your worries aside until the interview is over.

Good luck!