To ask for your help with job interview.

[beardedlobster]

I know not really AIBU but I’m posting for traffic.
I have a job interview this afternoon for what is basically my dream job.
I’m someone who is really bad in interviews. I babble, get tongue tied and my mouth always goes really dry and I shake!
Has anyone got any tips for how I can at least curb this a little! My stomach is in knots!!
The job is quite a senior role and would be a huge step up for me so I need to be professional!
Thank you In advance.

Before you go on, visualise it going really well - imagine yourself being confident and calm and relaxed. It really does work by changing your brain's perception of the task.

Remember that it's ok to ask for a moment to think before you answer - this will show that you are considered and confident and know when to take your time. If you're asked a question and you go blank, just say
'Can I have a moment to think about my answer?' And then take a deep breath and think about what you want to say.

Keep your hands and legs still, don't fidget. Fold your hands in your lap if you need to.

Speak much slower than you think you need to.

Good luck, you'll be grand!

I'm like that. I had a folder with the job spec, my cv, a list of questions and I remembered the STAR thingy...

Situation -
Task -
Action -
Result -

I also made sure I understood the question, so repeated back to them (not every one of course)...

I start next Monday!!

Good luck.

When they ask a question don't jump in right away to answer. Pause, think about what they asked you and then give a clear response. Think about your selling points in advance. What makes you right for the role? Why would they be justified in giving it to you? What can you bring to their business? Do a bit of research into the company. Maybe you can bring a little tit bit of knowledge into the interview they might not be expecting. Most of all, be yourself. If it's for you, you'll get it, if not you won't. Good luck!!

Thank you both so much. Excellent advice. You are right that I need to breathe and slow it all down and have time to think! I am visualising it going well right now!!
Shall look at the STAR maddiemookins and congratulations on your job!!!

Think of it this way - you're going for a senior role, which will involve lots of responsibility and complex tasks. Your first task of the job is to illustrate to the management team why beardedlobster is a good choice for the role they need to fill. If you have skill, you can complete the task no problem, it's easy - you know everything about beardedlobster and you know she's right for the job, you just have to do as good a job as you would in any other presentation and get that point across. Prepare, present your case, do your job! Good luck :)

I do pretty well at interviews but I still get as nervous as you do! One great piece of advice is to pause after every question they ask (but not for too long), you can even say "I'm just thinking of the best example I can give for your question". It helps you to collect your thoughts and gives you a minute to breathe which is something I always miss.

All, research, research, research. Get to know everything you can about the business and their competitors. One thing that annoys me when I've interviewed people is that they just want a job, and not this job, even if it is their dream.

A always seem to get the jobs I want and I do well at interviews.
It’s probably down to psychology really ... think back on what you’ve achieved, what you’re good at , and inwardly turn the tables on them: do they deserve you? Are they good enough for you ? If they offer me the job do I want it ?
I use that as my starting point as it calms me down. Secondly if you already have a job it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get this job and it’s good interview experience. Obviously despite the above I don’t come across as cocky at the interview
With this attitude I am able to calm down and focus on what they are asking . Don’t babble. Stop and think . If you are nervous just say so(I do !) ... they are only human at the end of the day.
I am a very easy going/ non arrogant person but adopting this psychology for interviews has helped me no end.
Obviously it helps if you know your stuff too ... which I’m sure you do!
Try to think if the type of questions they might ask you and talk through in your head what you will say. That way you will be prepared .Good luck!

Eggncress is right. Start from the basis that you are also interviewing them to find out if it's the right job for you.
So ask the questions that genuinely concern you.
Do a bit of small talk at the beginning - all positive such as "what a lovely building" "it was a pleasant journey here" "great to see you have so much parking".
Take your time answering their questions and be sincere with your responses while ensuring you are positive.
At the end of the interview if you feel you want the job, say something like "well you've given me a very indepth description of the role and I'm definitely interested in being considered for it".
Many people forget to say this.

And one more thing .... if they ask what your weakness is, you could say for example “ I like to do things well / I like attention to detail and some people get a bit impatient with this” etc so you’re turning the negative into a positive.

How did it go?

That’s so much everyone. The advice to think of it as me interviewing them as much as them interviewing me really helped. I still was shaky and dry mouthed but relaxed as it went on and feel by taking the advice offered earlier about thinking before reposndomg I was more coherent and not as babbling when I answered questions.
I find it on Monday so we shall see.
Thanks so much again.

That’s great OP .. hope you get it. If not treat it as good experience for next time.