To cancel a job interview

[OngoingCrisis]

I'm probably being irrational and overthinking but this job interview is making me so anxious. I've had one interview with the same company and I've made it to the second interview. I have to do a 10 minute presentation via teams, they've scheduled one hour for the teams meeting so not sure what else to expect beyond the presentation. I'm very close to pulling out of it as I'm so anxious, I want this job so badly but I'm scared that the presentation will let me down.

AIBU to cancel my interview?

Yes! Doing presentations is a part of lots of jobs. Remember they want you to do well, it's not to catch you out. Have you done presentations before? Have they given you topic, do you know your audience? I. Sure it will be fine.

Try not to get to worked up about the presentations, they are expected in NHS interview in all roles including and above band 6. The whole presentation is only worth 3 marks, minuscule in the grand scheme of thing! If you pull out you definitely won’t get the job, so I reckon you’ve nothing to lose! Best of luck to you!

10 minute pres?? Easy! They don't give a shit about the content - all they want to see Is how you present and how you come across. Be yourself, 10 mins goes so quickly.
If you're really thinking of cancelling and it's causing you this much angst then you don't really want the job.

I'm sorry you have anxiety but if this is an opportunity you really want you may really regret not going for it.

I am an employer and I always ask candidates to put together a 10 minute presentation on really why they are the right person for the job. It really give a feel for their dedication.

Top tips: 1. put the presentation in the company colours. 2. Go through job description and see what skills they look for and provide evidence that you have these skills 3. Give suggestions for improvements

Go for it, a presentation would have me quaking too, but it will be over before you know it and is good experience. Can I suggest Rescue Remedy....may be placebo but has got me through some nerve wracking events! Also I doubt it will last an hour - there is usually time allocated to allow for tech issues etc! Best of luck you can do it!

@Greensleevevssnotnose Hi, yes I've done presentations before as a part of my degree. They gave me the topic to discuss and the audience is two of the managers. I'm glad you've said it's not to catch me out as that's all I've been thinking

@Pippa12 You're right about having nothing to lose, I'm just so scared of messing up because of this

The subject matter may be easy for you. But for someone who has anxiety the thought of doing something and building it up into a situation they can't handle is very real. I wouldn't have thought it before until I experienced it myself and I've cancelled a couple of interviews because of the anxiety factor. I'm Gad diagnosed and I hate it.

@Whatabouteverything I really hope that's the case, I'm so nervous of forgetting something. I won't cancel but the urge is there

@ameliasmok I have already sent the presentation to the manager as I had to submit it to them prior to the interview so I can't make changes unfortunately :( the presentation is very specific so I'm unsure how to squeeze in anything about my skills or improvements that could be made

OP, I interview regularly and due to the nature of the role, we require all applicants to do a presentation.

As PPs say, it's much more about how you come across, your style of presenting, rather than the content - although it can be a really good way to share your thoughts & experience.

Interviewers will make allowances for nerves too - we are not trying to catch you out, we want you to do well. You have had one interview already which must have gone well!

You will feel amazing when it's done - don't pull out! Good luck!

They just want to see how you present
They don't really care about the content. You're overthinking.

honestly you would be so surprised at just how terrible some presentations I have received are. One was for a marketing graduate and her whole presentation was on why we should post on instagram. She looked blankly when I asked if she had seen our instagram. Turns out she didn't think to look.

Well you definitely won't get the job if you pull out.

Whereas you MAY get the job if you go.

So the odds are much better if you just take a deep breath, realise you have nothing to lose (except a little preparation time), and do your best.

Good luck!

@EarringsandLipstick May I ask what role it is? when I present I do try to come across in a natural way rather than scripted but sometimes I forget what I want to say which I'm worried about

@RememberingGoodTimes I know you're right, I just can't stop overthinking
@Whatabouteverything you're right, it's just difficult

At the very least, try to view it as practice. Let us know how you get on?

@PictureConsequences I will try that, thank you. and yes I will try to remember to update, I'm not sure how long I will be waiting for feedback from them

Sorry I wasn't more positive in my first post. Good luck op hopefully you get it

@Northernsouloldies thank you for your message. I'm also GAD diagnosed and I really struggle with the physical symptoms (heart palpitations, headaches, stomach ache)

I understand your apprehension. Wishing you all the best.

Oh and don't hold your breath like I do when anxious!! It's not helpful, I've learned this 47 years in... Go for it, take your time.

Unfortunately I do the same thing 😂

Presumably your anxiety is centred on messing up and the consequences of that (ie not getting the job). You are worried that might happen.

If you pull out of the interview, then your worst scenario will happen. You won't get the job.

@Magnanimouse yes, you're right. As others have said, they just want to see how I present (still suspicious). I will attend the teams interview, I'm just so worried, it's my dream job

@OngoingCrisis

My area is third level education, teaching roles in a university.

However it's essentially the same for any role - the focus is on your ability to present clearly & cogently. The content does matter but isn't the main focus.

In terms of how to remember - keep it simple. Prepare simple slides with a few key points, and rehearse until you are very comfortable. Avoid a script or notes. You'll end up possibly reading it out if nervous, and that will defeat the purpose (of seeing how you present yourself).

Everyone understands a presentation is nerve-wracking. Take it slowly & don't panic if you forget something or have a slip up.

Keeping it relaxed and professional but not too formal is perfect.

When is your interview? Go for it & we'll all wish you well from here! You can do this OP!

I'm not sure my view will help if you suffer anxiety but the way I see it, worst case scenario, if it goes 'terribly', you won't have to see them again and that will be the end of it. That's always what I tell myself in situations like this. Better to try and fail then to never try at all.

Not that that will happen, my gut says you've got this!
Good luck! 😊

the format is likely to be you give your presentation - they may ask you questions based on that, or have a second interview.
What's the worst thing that can happen - your screw it up and don't get the job.
If you cancel the interview, you won't get the job anyway.
I don't really favour presentations as part of the selection process, but where it's expected in an organisation I'll include them - but it's rarely the main factor in the process.
I think I've only rejected a candidate based on a presentation once - and not the content, we asked her to give a 5 minute presentation, we asked her to wrap it up after about 10, and she still kept wittering on. She also kept us there half an hour beyond the scheduled time; in the end we said in the interview that it really wasn't working for us, and we had to close the meeting.