To have a drink to steady my job interview nerves?

[ChloeCC]

I have an online job interview in a few days. It includes a task and the questioning itself. From a rational point of view, I am well qualified for the role and I have prepared for the interview. However, I am already very, very nervous, days ahead!
This is partly because I recently lost out on a promotion at work. I did an online interview, which went badly, and didn't get it.

Ridiculously, I am not even hugely invested in getting the job, although the extra cash would be very handy atm.

I am not a big drinker (anymore). In fact, I haven't had a drink for around a week - this is standard for me. Half a bottle of wine every few weeks. Or a single G&T.

Would I be unreasonable to have a very weak G&T ten minutes before the interview to take the edge off my nerves? I am finding it difficult to give the presentation alone to nobody in my office, days before the interview! I'm tripping over words!

I know the feeling that a very weak G&T would deliver and I don't think it will impact me cognitively - just take that rabbit-in-the-headlights edge off. What do you all think? Am I insane?

I take 3 drops of cbd oil about 15 min before an interview. Really helps!

That is insane. You have no idea how it will react with your natural state of nervousness and if it can be smelt then your interviewers will make any number of assumptions that may or may not be true. There are so many other things that you could do - Rescue Remedy is quite good, I recommend that.

Have a drink afterwards when the work's done. Good luck!

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The poster(s) who bang on about 'thimble of sherry at Christmas' must have problems with alcohol. No other reason to use that pointless and irrelevant deflection. OP's going for an interview, not there to prop up your insecurities.

Love a good drink. Wouldn't do it. Chances are it'll make you worse, not better.

I don't know when I last had a drink, or what it was. I really am a very light drinker.

I run a lot and that keeps me calm usually. It's hard to do this week though, with small kids and very hot weather... Also badly timed PMT. Arghhh.

I’d go for it as long as it’s weak and you don’t usually get tipsy after one drink. Not everyone is a good interviewee but they excel in their roles and it’s online so no driving involved. Good luck!

I don’t think they will be able to smell her through the computer 😆

Rescue remedy is alcohol

Don’t do it. I’ve just been offered a job today after 15 rejections…15!!!!

Do you know what honestly helped the most and my husband had been badgering me about it for ages. It was to just be myself and treat the interviewers like human beings. For the first time ever, I didn’t have prepared answers which I’ve done before (it’s always obvious you’re reading!) and I just spoke normally. The only research I did was on the team itself so when the inevitable question ‘tell us about the job etc’ came up I could answer confidently.

Worked like a charm.

I would do a few drops of the Trip CBD oil.it just cuts through the jitters. That and preparation, preparation, preparation.

Absolutely not, but what someone did advise me, which I found really helpful (as I have to quite a few scary pitches for work), was to "have a mental G&T" - even pretend you're knocking one back if that helps, but your brain can do the rest.

Nerves aren't a bad thing. It's normal to feel them and the idea you have to drink to get over them is terrible. Acknowledge them and use the various tried and tested techniques to deal with them. Prep as much as you can, then focus on breathing, going for a walk to work through the adrenalin, do that stance with your arms in the air for 20 seconds, mantras, whatever works for you. Even if it doesn't feel like it's working, it can still have an effect. The main thing is not to think this is a big problem requiring booze to get through it.

Even if you have a drink and ace the interview, it hasn't really helped because you'll always feel it was the drink that did it and reinforce the feeling that you can't do it without. It's totally the wrong road to go down.

Knock back your imaginary G&T instead and trust yourself and your body to cope. Once you're into the flow, those nerves will be working for you, whereas a G&T really won't be. Have one on the other side as a reward if you deserve it :)

Tempting but don’t as you may be then worrying - ‘ I wonder if they knew …’
. Reward yourself with a huge one straight after ! X

Understood. I'm a runner too, and know well how much it helps to regulate mood and calm. If you can get in a quick couple of k before the interview, do; if not, some core-focussed yoga for 20 minutes would be way better than a drink, and the increased oxygen flow to your brain will make you much sharper than a G&T.

I take paracetamol to calm my nerves before an interview. Lowers temp and reduces blood pressure.

I have a drink before and/or after interviews/meetings if I’m feeling nervous/bored. Doing well in my career. Definitely drink too much though, so. Meh.

reduces blood pressure

It doesn't. Don't use it for this!

You may find chamomile tea has the same effect instead

All the best

I wouldn't drink any alcohol in this heat during the day as it'll disproportionately affect you

Have you thought of popping into a Vape shop and buying a CBD vape? Perfectly legal in U.K. as no cannabis in it - not the psychotropic stuff- only the legal stuff but it acts to chill you out a bit. Don't have more than 4-6 puffs a day. That may chill your nerves and it's non addictive

They are about £10 each for the 150mg 2ml Milder disposable ones
My friend uses the Darwin disposable CBD vapes - fruit punch flavour - you can buy online but has postage if ordering online so to buy one is cheaper to buy in vape shop to try it.

You have to prove you're over 18 if you look near that age.

Don't use CBD vape if you are drug tested for your job as CBD may show up in hair tests later on, even though it's legal, the products may cause a false positive.

You can also buy CBD gummies online - but go somewhere like Darwin website as reputable

no, don’t do that, and your OP has the ring of a problem drinker looking for permission to drink.

Congratulations, BalloonsandWhistles!

Yabu.

"I'm not a big drinker anymore"

Using alcohol as a coping strategy is an indication of dependence.

Is this really about you or someone you know.

That would be insane. If interviewing you need to be on top of your game, recalling past experiences, perhaps linking what the interviewer said earlier to a current question. Drinking would take the edge off your nerves, but may also take the edge off your answers. Personally, I wouldn't do it.

Holland and Barrett (the health products shop) supply this also and have an info sheet about CBD and how it's different from active cannabis (it's the THC that is illegal)

www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/cbd/thc-vs-cbd/

So for eg you can buy CBD gummies from a H&B high street shop or website

www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/cbd/?t=productformat_gummies

As a one off, I'd consider that or the other great suggestions about chamomile tea etc as a more natural way to calm heightened nerves

Online being the operative word.

I wouldn't drink any alcohol in this heat during the day as it'll disproportionately affect you

Sorry I should have said I wouldn't drink any alcohol anyway during the day at work or before an interview

Bad idea

Kalms or
CBD gummies or vape, or
Chamomile tea or
Bath with relaxing bubble bath in it
Lots of water so you're not dehydrated

Good preparation for the interview and some little notes you've written

Think of a few times you've done a piece of work that you learnt from or was challenging to prepare for the interview , that might be skills related to those they want