To wonder whether it’s just me who turns in to an absolute bumbling idiot when it comes to interviews?!

[BumblingidiotstrikesagainNC]

Had an interview today for a big opportunity in the city and I was cringing inside as I stumbled over my words and generally failed to effectively articulate my responses. I had a total mind blank following on from one of the questions and couldn’t provide an answer. Towards the end of the interview I really excelled myself by forgetting what the original question was half way through providing a response! All of this coupled with a terrible and very noticeable red blotchy rash I seem to end up with all over my chest because I’m so embarrassed by my inability to sell myself, ugh.

I have no excuse either; I work within a very niche specialism at a senior level. I’m highly qualified and have years of experience in the field. I have no trouble at all day to day at work, it’s just something about interviews that makes me fall apart. I know all of the answers except during the interview it’s like my brain has been emptied. Recruiters certainly don’t expect this type of interview from somebody at my level and I can almost hear them thinking “wtf ”as they interview me. I imagine from reading my very well written CV they must wonder if I’ve sent along a substitute! It’s only after the interview I think of all the errors and things I should have said at the time. I run over and over in my head the awkward responses in my mind, ugh it’s just terrible!

Has anyone got any tips on how to get over this? I feel like I’ve tried everything.

Oh, and if anyone is would like to share their similarly cringeworthy interview experiences, it might cheer me up just a little!

Nope, not just you and I used to work in recruitment, did tons of interviews and was considered bloody good at it. I find I over think what I'm saying and waffle off the point.

No, me to. I am a teacher. A couple of years ago I worked in a very challenging school with some children with pretty difficult needs. I went to an interview in another school and they asked my about inclusion. My mind went blank. I mean my whole job at that time WAS inclusion, really, but I could not for the life of me turn the question they had asked into something my brain understood at that moment in time.

When they phoned to tell me I hadn't go the job I said "No, I wouldn't have given it to me either!"

Yep, hands up here too, I’m the same.
In fact, I’m 30 years into my career and have applied for promotion in my field along with some that are 3,4,5 years into their careers but I’m going to withdraw my application due to interview nerves.
The interviewers know me very well, I know them, the interview is a stepping stone to a job I could do eyes shut.
But there you go, I will humiliate myself, make them feel uncomfortable so no, just no. Not doing it.

too. me too. sigh

I’m exactly the same, so awful isn’t it?! Puts me off applying for things

Fingers crossed it wasn’t as bad as you think. When do you find out?

I was asked what subject my degree was in (just after graduating) and some how I couldn’t remember for a good minute or so - my mind genuinely went blank

Also I forgot my glasses so messed up one the test I was given to do

Still managed to get the job!

I'm terrible at interviews! I either go completely blank or waffle on too much. Absolutely hate them, would much rather do some sort of work based task or test.

Read “How to own the room” by Viv Groskop. It’s about public speaking in general, and much of her advice is good for interviews as well as having to speak in public as the panic can be similar.

My other piece of advice is see a coach from an HR background who can literally give you interview training. Sounds like the investment will be well worth it in terms of confidence.

I interview fairly well, but having interviewed lots of strangers and colleagues I can confirm that at least half really struggle with nerves and barely mention the most basic tick box items in their answers. I think that since I was rejected at a school interview when I was 15 I have always prepared myself very thoroughly. I work up a notebook full of example questions, make notes, then walk around the house speaking my answers out loud. I make lists of specific things that I want to crowbar into any relevant question. I practice making sure I hit those points. This sounds bad, but when I am up against people I know, I think about their weaknesses and I make a point of mentioning how well I do those things. I figure if I want the job and am good enough it's worth the work and worth selling myself. It is alien to be so egotistical though.

Me too I am so bad at them. I recently had an interview and they asked me "Did you look at our website" and god only knows why but I said "Yes but don't ask me any questions on it" not sure why the actual fuck I said that, I didn't get the job obviously because he just looked at me like and I was ,we moved along and I'm sure when I left the room they shredded my CV 😂

It can go either way for me, I usually do best in the roles that I don't want as much 🤦‍♀️

I get the blotchy chest too so always wear a high neck top as I can get very self conscious about it.

@crosser62 oh gosh, I feel your pain. I’ve done exactly the same thing in the past. The amount of opportunities which have passed me by as a result of this! It’s crippling!

The more interviews you go to the better you get

I hate interviews too. I have one tomorrow and have the most horrendous cold. My head is all fuzzy and I have no idea how I'm going to get through it!

Wishing you good luck @WreckTangled !

Oh Bumbling, fingers crossed for you!
I get so nervous too I start talking 1000 miles a minute and not listening properly and then torture myself about what I missed out 😭

I went to an interview today too... I haven't heard yet. I'll be your waiting buddy 🤞🏼

I am the same. Turn into a nervous wreck in interviews, even if I know the panel. I waffle on and on and start doing this weird nervous laugh 😂
I find taking in my application helps for those mind blank moments. I also write down the questions in shorthand as I have a terrible habit of getting halfway through my answer and forgetting what the question was.

Thanks. They will probably have to antibac the whole place when I leave

Hopefully we will all be successful!

I also used to recruit yet somehow turn into a waffly twat in my interviews.

The annoying thing is that I'm a bloody good public speaker and have given talks, presentations, interactive lectures... and enjoy doing it.

It's just interviews I'm WTF at. I guess it's the pressure 😰

crosser fuck, love, don’t pull out! Have you got someone you can mock interview with, to practise your answers in a safe way? A friend, partner, family member?

And/or can you talk to the interviewers you know and tell them you hate interviews and can you get a bit of info on the format to prepare.

A conversation with people you know, about a job you can do, is totally possible. Feel the fear and do it anyway 😄

Wrecktangled Go in, apologise for your snuffles and take water. I'm sure they'll appreciate your commitment and work ethic
And good luck!

I can't do interviews either. Last interview I had was for a job at the same level. Didn't get it . Career has tanked since, while everyone else moves onwards and upwards.

@calmdownjanet

That really made me laugh, sorry!

Urgh interviews. My worst nightmare

Ooo good luck @PonteLaCorona
Let’s hope we weren’t as awful as we thought we were

I'm terrible at interviews - really a complete joke with everyone who knows me! The thing that really helped me get my last job was mindmapping out all the areas they were likely to ask me about with ideas of things I could talk about.

I once went for a job where I was so spectacularly appalling (I'm a teacher) that when I worked with someone who'd been on the interview panel 10 years later I avoided them for a whole 9 months praying they wouldn't remember me. I began the interview with the chairman of governors asking me 'how do you think of the governors?' and answering, 'I mostly think of you as irrelevant. As a classroom teacher I couldn't name any of our governors and I've never met them'.

That went down well...

I finished the interview - where in teaching they always ask 'Do you still consider yourself a firm candidate for the job?' by saying, 'I can't imagine you do!' and when the head said in irritated tones, 'That's not very reassuring! What would you say if we offered you the job?' I could only say feebly, 'I'd say - why would you want to do that?'.

I crawled out of there and then laughed all the way home.

When they rang to say I hadn't got it the feedback was 'We enjoyed meeting you - you were very honest!'