Paralysed with fear at interviews, dreading next week

[sorrysaywhatnow]

So, I know IABU, particularly with all the recent terrifying events happening in the world.
But. I just can't seem to make it through interviews without going bright red, wobbly voice, shaking, mind blanking. I have a senior NHS interview next week and I've been awake half the night ever since my interview was arranged. I've been half tempted to cancel it.
Does this happen to anyone else? Do you having any coping strategies? I feel so frustrated that I just can't relax and form complete, rational sentences and I'm reduced to a quivering wreck 🤦🏼‍♀️.

Yes. 100% yes.

I got so stressed at an interview for a big step up last week that I nearly hung up half way through. I was convinced that I'd embarrassed myself hugely. I got the job.

There have however been many interviews that were... Not that successful. A couple of examples, to hopefully make you feel better:

An early interview in my career. She insisted on giving me feedback. Said I had no confidence and was completely wrong for my chosen career. Later found out the chosen candidate quit (without a job to go to) within six months.

I reapplied for a job I'd done (successfully) for five years pre children. The lead interviewer was someone I'd trained in the role. She said she knew I'd be perfect but she didn't have evidence from the interview that I'd be capable. They failed to appoint.

What helps:

Preparation to an extent. I struggle to access thoughts in interviews, only stuff I know really well. So I talk to myself (like rehearsing a speech) about some of my key achievements and features in the days running up to it

The right interview panel. It's their job to, as far as possible, help you have a good interview - because they want the best candidate, not the person who performs best at interview. My best interviews - and jobs - have been with people who got me, understand that my lack of confidence in interview is part of my overall personality - which like everyone's has strengths and weaknesses - and worked with me. That's whether I got the job or not. Interviewing as an employer is a skill - some people find it terrifying, others are - bluntly - not very good at it. I lost out at one interview because the interviewer couldn't decide between us on our answers but the successful candidate wore a yellow dress! Equally, I recently didn't get a job but the interview process was amazing and I know I simply wasn't the best candidate.

Which reminds me, dress as yourself - smartly, obviously but still make sure you feel like you.

Remember an interview is a two way process. If you're the best candidate, others will want you too so they need to show you why you want that job. Think about what you need from them. Not being "all in" helps me stay calm.

Yes! I’m 45 and in a senior role, and I’ve always found job interviews incredibly stressful verging on unbearable. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever had an interview where I wasn’t contemplating doing a runner right up until the moment the interviewer greeted me!
Mixture of extreme perfectionism and imposter syndrome for me. It’s a life long bunch of issues I’m working on!

My advice is to go into the interview accepting that you might freeze, stutter or go red…and that of you do, it’s not the end of the world! You just take a breath and keep going.

If you generally come across as a pleasant person with a good attitude who knows your shit and they could see themselves hiring you / working with you, a bit of blushing or freezing under pressure isn’t major. Interviews are stressful, unnatural situations. Everyone knows that, including the interviewers. And EVERYONE has had interviews they felt went badly.

Interestingly, the three interviews I can think of where I was MOST nervous and definitely went bright red and babbled bit were jobs I REALLY wanted, as they were promotions….and jobs I got! I think it’s because the fact I wanted it so badly and had prepared so thoroughly shone through and was ultimately more important to the employer than some on the day stage fright.

If you’re a serious blusher/flusher, propropanol (beta blockers) can be helpful (I take them before big presentations at work and I wouldn’t be without them).

I had exactly the same issue, and Propranolol changed my life. I would speak to your doctor about it.

Another vote for propranolol (beta blockers). You can take them on an ad hoc basis, and they just stop the physical feelings of anxiety.

Interview prep too obviously 😄

Thank you so much for all of your really helpful responses and advice, it's great to know I'm not the only one that feels like this! I know of course that most people don't particularly like the process, but it's just so debilitating for me and I feel like it's really holding me back.
I think I will definitely look into beta blockers, they could be my salvation, and I'll take all the comments on board.

I’d also suggest visiting your GP for some temporary anxiety medication, on the basis that it’s affecting life-changing events such as job seeking and promotions.

Another vote for propranolol. I was like you, but I've aced every interview when I've taken them. They've given me the confidence boost to do without them now, but like to have some just in case.

If you get flustered, don't hesitate to say - so sorry, nerves got the better of me there. Take some deep breaths and restart your answer.

I know that I always say at the beginning of an interview - we know this is a stressful process, we're not trying to trip you up, we're trying to get the best out of you, so if you need to have a drink of water, a minute to think, please just say so.

And don't be scared to ask them to repeat a question to make sure you've answered it.

If you prep, you can take notes in to an interview. Not essays, just prompts of what you wanted to say about certain topics. Tell them that you've prepped because you worried about your mind going blank in the interview and that you just want to look at your prompts. Personally, I'd look kindly on that because it shows someone who has done their preparation and really wants the post. And realistically in most work situations, you would do that for a difficult meeting or conversation, why should an interview be any different.

Thank you all, wow...what a bloody revelation Propranolol is!!! It's completely changed everything in terms of how I deal with certain tricky situations. Thank you all so much

Oh, this is a fab update 😄! I'm really glad it helped.

Yes I had a clinical nurse lead interview on my current ward either my manager via teams.. I had to much make up on and talked too quick.. hated the 20 minutes i was interviewed for...awful..