Wondering why i never get the job?

[hoopladelicious]

I've been working in the same industry for 15+ years and i love it. I'm well qualified, keep on top of trends and I do a good job.

When i apply for a new position i usually get an interview and I look like a strong candidate on paper.

I'm introverted and i can stumble over words. I am a deep thinker rather than a fast thinker and answers to questions very often escape me. I shake. I am a lively person but any vibrancy gets lost in this setting.

The work i do is largely written and I don't require the same skills you need in an interview. Admittedly sometimes it does stand in my way at work (i don't like presentations and i can stumble in group meetings). But generally i get glowing performance reviews.

I'm not confident and sharp, more of a capable creative.

How do i get past this? I'm tired of loosing out to people less qualified who can talk the talk.

Several suggestions:

1. Do you always get interview feedback
2. Do you take it on board
3. Do you do any mock interviews with people you trust before hand
4. Have you considered interview coaching?

I haven't much advice sorry but it's annoying isn't it? I once went for a job and I was shy and really nervous so didn't come across very confident. They gave it to someone else. A few weeks later they called me and offered me the job as the other person had let them down. I performed really well in the role and they said I was the best they'd had doing the job and didn't want me to leave when I eventually did. I wish sometimes there was a bit of leeway when it comes to employing people. Sometimes people are very good at talking the talk but not very good when it comes to the job.

Training and practice. There are coaches who can help you with interview skills

Practise. Rehearse brief, on-point answers to guessable questions. Get a couple of short presentations ready and prepare them so thoroughly you could do them in your sleep. Practise saying that your strength is not sharp confidence but creative capability. If they ever ask what you think your weak spot is, you could say something like 'I don't think of it as a weakness necessarily, but I am introverted - creatively very capable but not the obvious choice for presentations.' That sort of self-accepting honesty should in the end get you a job that is right for you, where your creativity is needed but you are not expected to be on show.