I’ve not been for a job interview in over 20 years, going for one tomorrow for an Admin role. Can I just ask, does everyone else feel nervous when attending an interview? Top tips most welcome.

[JoanOfArchers]

Last interview I attended was pre DS in the year 2003, so I’m extremely rusty. I’ve worked in my current position for 15 years but didn’t really need an interview as I knew the MD (no longer company owner).

It’s time for a change. Current workplace has become toxic and I need to leave, so would love to get this job.

I’ve researched the company, I’ve looked up interview questions but I do lack interview experience and don’t want to have a moment where I’m scrambling for something useful to say! The thought of it fills me with dread!

I do need to make sure I don’t waffle too much, which I can tend to do if I’m nervous, so please give me your best interview tips please!🙏🏻

I’m also mid 50s so hopefully they’ll appreciate my experience rather than my lack of youth.

Apologies for this not being an AIBU question but I’ve had great advice here in the past and it’s usually a pretty busy place.

I do interviews all the time and they make everyone nervous! You might try to break the ice by just saying upfront that you haven’t been on an interview for a while (make a light joke) and then hopefully that will start a conversation. Best of luck!

Check out interview and answer examples on YouTube. There's some brilliant videos.

Thank you! If they ask me what I think might be one of my weaknesses I might state ‘lack of interviews’, maybe. 😆

Ooh thank you so much.

Take a notepad, with any questions you want to ask and make the odd note.

Most people are a little nervous at interviews, it's normal. Try to relax and enjoy it.
Don't forget it's a 2 way process, and businesses are crying out for experienced and efficient administrators, so don't sell yourself short.
Good luck! 🤞

Yes everyone feels nervous. Remember the interviewers will expect you to be nervous so don't feel you have to hide it. They are there to help you present yourself in the best light. I have a think about some of the questions they might ask you and come up with some example answers. I find the STAR technique helps you focus your mind.

S - Situtaion - what the situation was
T - Task - what you were asked to do
A - Action - what you did
R - Results - what happened as a result. Try to focus on the impact you had.

Try not to overthink it though and good luck

The obvious tip is to practice your answers. In my 20s I was the interview queen. Since then I've been offered all my jobs just by being in the right place at the right time. I think your long service speaks volumes about you as a person so I would make sure you mention it and also be yourself. I'm sure you'll be amazing.

View it as a work conversation rather than a job interview in your head. The outcome is guaranteed positive...you either get the job or you'll get really valuable interviewing experience which brings you closer to winning the next opportunity that presents. If you massively lose your train of thought just say you're rusty with all this because it's the first job/company you've been so enthusiastic to apply for in 15 years (big smile). Good luck.

I think smiling and being warm is a huge plus in an interview I've done lots as the interviewer and interviewee and people who are warm and genuine are best. Try to remember that YOU are interviewing THEM too - will this be a good fit for you? Being honest about being nervous shows you really care about it as well "I'm sorry, I'm a bit nervous" is fine to say. Good luck 🤞

No advice but really good luck and let us know

They may have a prioritising task- I did. Give the answer with a little explanation of your thinking. Your approach is as important as your final answer.

Admin is generally about people, not paper. It’s usually communicating with and wrangling people. Relational. Show you can do that by being warm and interested. Think more about them and what they are looking for than about how you are doing. I find that makes such a difference when you are dealing with people.

Best of luck OP, just try your best, be yourself and remember the person/panel interviewing you are regular human beings 💐

I get so nervous before interviews. It’s nerve wracking and completely normal.

Look over the job description and person specification and imagine how you can apply yourself and skills to this role as per your experience.

They normally ask for an example where you’ve needed to problem solve or deal with an error/stressful situation.

Highlight how you can prioritise tasks, multitask, show attention to detail, working as part of a team as well as working confidently to your own initiative, which are important for admin roles.

Ask them questions too. Ask what the development is like within the company and what training/learning opportunities they have to offer.

Best of luck - please let us know how you get on. Xx

All good advice. There are usually "warm up" questions like "why do you want to work here?", "what attracts you to this role?".

Make sure you can give a concise summary of your career to date and you have examples of things you have done well.

Don't be afraid to ask for clarification of any of the questions.

Use "I" not "we".

Spend 10 minutes visualising yourself confident and coherent.

You'll be great!

Thank you all SO much! I really do hope I don’t have my current 50s ‘brain fog’ moment, when you know the word you want to say but can’t for the life of you remember what it was! Please not tomorrow.

Smiling and being positive help. If you need time to think of an answer, that's fine, maybe say 'let me think about this' to give you some time, not just total silence for a while. Don't criticize any previous bosses or colleagues.

Good luck OP! Everyone gets nervous at interviews. Something I wish I had been more prepared for when starting out with interviews is to think of some good questions to ask the interviewer. Like, what's the company culture like, what would a day doing the job look like, what does success look like for the firm? Gives you a good indication as well as towards what will be expected in more detail than the usual generic job descriptions

Hi OP I found chat gpt really useful for this. Type in your role and experience and ask for example interview questions and answers. You can also tweak them to be more specific. You can't use their answers but it can be useful for showing example structures and what interviewers are looking for. Think of a few examples where you had tricky situations and then have them to hand so you can use them in various examples

Good luck!

In my last job, I interviewed lot and it is normal to be nervous.

Interviewing others has taught me so much really, some people were absolutely terrible!

It’s really obvious but so many don’t actually answer the question. Assume they know nothing and be thorough in your answers.

Be warm, friendly and don’t be afraid to ask them to repeat a question or write notes. There is no rush so take your time in answering.

I got my first job as an RMN in 2001 and didn’t interview again until 2016, it’s hard when it’s been a while! Since then I have had more 3 interviews, got them all which isn’t that difficult in nursing to be honest but I’m definitely more confident now!

Agree with @DrinkFeckArseBrick - use chatgpt. Also, think of a good question or two to ask- about training/ biggest challenges in the role/ etc.
and deep breaths before you go in. Wear something you feel confident and look good in!
good luck

One of the best bits of advice I was ever given about interviews is to reframe the nervousness as excitement. If you think about it a lot of the feelings are the same. Tell yourself how excited you are for the opportunity and embrace it - nerves stop you sounding flat and disinterested. Good luck!

If you're stuck for a question...ask them what they like about working there. Put them on the spot! :) Like others have said, interviews are a 2 way street. Are they right for you? Good luck!!

Bought a lovely M&S navy suit just for the occasion. Hopefully I won’t slip and slide in the (not my usual footwear) shoes I’m going to be wearing. Suit looks good though.

That’s great advice.

I will imagine my nervous butterflies as full on colourful butterflies, filled with excitement (but dimmed slightly 😆).

I really love this idea, In my wild imagination I would hope they don’t think ‘ooh we’ve got one here haven’t we’ - who is she who questions us! 🤣😆

If you need a couple of seconds to think of an answer, take a sip of water.

What kind of industry is it? There are very few left that would expect to see someone wearing a suit at interview