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.

It’s owned by the public sector, environmental services. Whether or not a suit is expected, that’s what I’ll be wearing. Too late now.

Fine to be nervous. I interview a lot and my 2 biggest tips:

1. Be friendly (but professional) and yourself. I want to work with a human, not someone who’s trying to be someone else and can’t maintain it
2. PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION. If in doubt use the STAR model when answering. Situation, task, action, result. This will keep you on point and let the interviewers follow you’re example. Rambling/going off on a tangent/not answering the question hacks me off no end. Someone who doesn’t know everything I can live with and this is expected.

Good luck.

Ok, another question.

I can’t state my real reasons for wanting to leave, so how would you address this?

My current job involves a 50 mile round trip, interview job, much closer. I can’t state this is one of the reasons (as well as the toxic environment) so how do I answer this question?

50 mile round trip is a perfectly good reason. Leave out toxic culture.

There are 2 types of people, those leaving jobs and those going towards jobs. I’d much rather someone tell me why they’re interested in the job I’m advertising not just why they’re leaving, so think about that.

Try to remember that they are probably desperate to fill a current or upcoming vacancy. They are also worried about offering to the wrong person (bad cultural fit, slacker, bully, thief of money, assets or time, incompetent, has lied about their experience etc).

My only advice is to be humble but confident, warm, friendly (but not over familiar), ask sensible questions and ensure appropriate eye contact. Oh and smell clean (halitosis is an instant no for me) and do not marinade in perfume or trowel on the slap.

Good luck and please also remember that you are interviewing them. If you get a single bad vibe, do not ignore it (as I have done previously and thoroughly regretted it…)

Thank goodness my not having a Masterchef interview! 😆

Do not mention a toxic environment or anything negative about your current employer.

You can say you’re looking for a new challenge, and “blah blah blah” about this role has interested you and motivated you to apply. You don’t need to speak at lengths about this. They’re more interested in why you want to work for them, not why you want to leave your current role.

The most useful advice I ever had was to make sure you put your bum right into the back of the chair! Makes sure you don't slouch and helps you pay attention. The other thing is reember the importance of a goof first impression, so a) make sure that you are comfortable as well as smart in your clothes and b) try not to carry too many things into the room so you are not fumbling with coat, bag, notebook etc.... see if there is somewhere you can leave them.

Then just answer the questions 😄

Seriously don't do that. Don't focus on the lack of interview experience.

It's good to be a bit nervous. Shows you care.

Think of an interview as a two way interview process. You're also finding out if the job will be right for you.

A good interviewer will allow for interviewees being a bit nervous, and will take a bit of time to put you at ease.

Expect to be a bit nervous before hand, once you get going you'll be fine.

A suit is fine.

don’t want to have a moment where I’m scrambling for something useful to say!

It is absolutely fine to have a moment to think. Silence is fine for a few moments. When we're nervous we feel like a few seconds is ages, but it's fine to take a breath and think about your answer.

This was me 6 months ago.
I was ok! If I can do it you can.
So here’s anything that might help -
Wear smart clothes that you feel ok in, so you don’t feel uncomfortable whilst in the interview.
Eat and drink something sensible the night before.
Take some deep breaths before you go in.
What would a man do? I read that men do better in interviews as they act more confident in interviews and are more likely to be successful.
I made a bullet list of what I wanted to say and ask in my head which helped me focus.
Good luck. Come back and tell us when you get it 💐

Definitely smiling helps , think of it that you're interviewing them as well.
Your finding out if you want the job as well, I normally have a little read of the job description beforehand and just go for it, the worst thing that can happen is you don't get it, but you will learn from each interview and be some more confident every time. Good luck 🤞

Just read this thread and all the good advice on it. How did it go, OP?

Have some STAR examples of your work in mind

Oh has it been, sorry!

I came home cringing! 🤣 oh my days. I was extremely nervous.

I went completely blank when the first question they asked me was ‘tell us three things about you that aren’t on your CV’ - I just couldn’t think AT ALL! I’m not going to repeat what I said (eventually) but I’m cringing at the thought of it!

I did tend to nervous waffle, then I’d forget what question they’d actually asked me, asking them to repeat the question.

They were lovely people though, two women who were warm and friendly, obviously trying to put me at ease, which worked towards the end of the interview but still, their first impression of me from their opening question fills me with embarrassment. 😆

I really don’t expect to get the job but it has given me some interview experience at least.

I then asked nothing about the job when they asked me if I’d like to ask them questions, instead I asked about how many staff worked in the department, how long they’d both worked there etc.

Again, it was purely down to good old nerves. Oh and I needed to tell them a HUGELY important bit of information about me, health wise, which I’d been determined to bring up at the interview but completely forgot.

Ah, well. As you say, even if things went wrong, it's all useful practise. Well done for going.

I would also add that following up after an interview always helps. If there was something you forgot to say, then I'd get in touch to let them know and also reiterate how much you liked the company, etc. And questions.

-if you still want the job, that is.

No I don’t get nervous at all. You need to reframe it. It’s not an interview it’s a chat and both parties are being assessed. I once stopped an interview midwa because the manager said something dickish and I knew I wouldn’t be work for him even if he offered me the job.

I worked in interim roles for a while, and gave done a lot of recruitment myself, so fortunately don't get particularly nervous.
asking about the size if the team is absolutely relevant to the role, and when interviewing have often been asked how long i've worked there (only seen a negative if 'interim' is my job title), so don't worry about your questions.

I often ask a similar Q along the lines of "what do you like most about working for the organisation?"

Not a problem to disclose heath issues at first interview - that can come later if you're shortlisted, and familiarise yourself with disability anti-discrimination legislation if you think it's relevant.

Hope it's good news - when do you expect to hear back?