To be totally embarrassed at doing a crap interview

[WhydoImessupinterviews]

I have just come out of an interview (online). I am a fairly senior at work, a Director, and know what I am doing, but somehow gabble in interviews. Is this just me? Why, why, why? One of the panel was scratching her head in embarrassment. I actually conduct interviews quite often and wouldn't employ me.

AIBU to give up job hunting (really need new job - narcissistic boss).

Please don’t feel bad. I am awful at interviews to the point I think I need some sort of counselling/therapy to address it. When I’m in post I win awards for best employee etc so I am a great employee. However my particular low was bursting into tears in the middle of the interview and having to cut it short because I’d got so worked up. Doesn’t get more embarrassing than that!!!! 😳🙈

Ok wow, that sounds really hard.

I think someone should invent an app with an AI to help people practice...

I'm reasonably confident and articulate in real life, but not great with a quick come back. In interviews, I've often have to ask for the question to be repeated and go off on a waffle. I also used to interview candidates, and not sure I'd hire myself 😬

If it helps OP, here are some funny examples I recall:
-1 place had high security checks. When they photocopied the candidates passport, a little bag of drugs fell out.
-1 candidate answered a few questions, but kept looking at notes infront of him. I asked another question, he shuffled the paperwork and he said he didn't know, because he hadn't printed that answer off! I re worded it several times, asked for an example outside of work, and he still couldn't reply.
-1 woman, as we were walking to the interview room, informed me that she had taken the last company to a tribunal because she wasn't hired and believed it was discrimination. She threatened that if she didn't get our job, she planned to do the same!

This one was me! It was an online interview during covid. I'm not the most tech savvy and my regular job didn't require online skills. I checked that teams was working etc beforehand, but on the day, I couldn't get the camera to work. During the last question, I did manage to get it on- but without a filter blocking the background. I realised that the mirror behind me was reflecting my indoor laundry drying. So in full view as a background were various pieces of my underwear, along with a pair of DH's old pants that he refused to throw, despite the elastic being almost gone and several holes in them! 😳

OP, you likely aren't as bad as you think. I agree with filming yourself and getting a friend/family member to ask questions. Ask for feedback from the companies too.

Personally I'm really good at interviews, I can spout all the bollocks, I did lots of recruitment interviews which helps

But I've had some stinkers...one for an internal role was a presentation then interview. Smashed the presentation, knew I had it in the bag and just stumbled like a pillock..I went back the next day and apologised and said I knew I wasn't getting the job so don't worry about letting me know!

It happens. Practice interviews, try to find out what type of questions they ask, definitely know something about the company and even the people if possible.

I’ve had people burst out crying at interview and someone faint from the stress. I didn’t feel anything but a bit sad that they had found it so very stressful

I failed my headteacher qualification at interview level (after having achieved everything else required during the 10 month training)
When I did it second time I interviewed in the style of my super confident head teacher friend - pretty much delivered the same answers but with her panache and confidence and passed.

its hard tho - I hate being interviewed and I hate interviewing people!

I totally sympathise OP I had a DREADFUL interview this week. Good cop bad cop vibes in the interview and bad cop did zero masking when I didn’t give a great answer to a question… After that I fell apart and two fairly simple questions that I should have nailed I just gabbled on!

I woke up this morning after a bad work dream and literally had the phrase ‘I am a failure’ in my head. 😢

I have a horrible boss who has really shattered my confidence over the past few years and I’m wondering if I’m just a bit too broken by that and so go to pieces as soon as I get the vibe someone doesn’t think I’m right for the job/capable?

My only solace is that I can see where I could have answered better so hopefully in the future I can at least nail the basics.

I feel really down as I’m desperate to escape my job but haven’t done an interview in years and I know they would have sent the ‘next step’ stuff by now.

I hope you’re feeling a bit better. At least this thread shows that a lot of good at their job people can be not great in interviews.

We always provide questions in advance. We find it makes for a much interview on both sides.

@Catkincat

So sorry to hear that, you are never too broken but it sounds like you need help after having your confidence smashed. You are good at your job, it's the other one who is crap

I hope you get away from them soon so you can rebuild your self esteem. You can definitely do it

Thank you @MarkingBad that’s super kind of you!

I’ve decided to get back in the saddle by doing a new job app and also chasing up some freelance stuff so feel a bit better!

I must escape!

I hope it didn't go as badly as you think. I'm the same and, as someone who has been on panels many times, I really think the whole interview process doesn't work very well. I have interviewed many people who were fantastic on the day and said all the right things and seemed to be oozing with confidence and then, when actually in the role, it was a different story. Obviously, there's no way of telling whether those who don't interview well would be better in the roles but it makes me wonder.

Well, nothing back re interview, so seems second interview (which would be this week) is not going ahead. I don't feel too bad now and have something to move forward with in terms of prep and interview coaching. And, on reflection, elements of the role seemed a bit unrealistic so might have been a lucky escape!

Well did get a second interview, but failed at that. Apparently was not enough "hands on" enough. It was crazy though - nine people firing random questions. Think I had a lucky escape. Good luck to all those in similar situations.

@WhydoImessupinterviews Well done for getting a second interview! That shows your first interview was good and you were probably being way too hard on yourself! 9 people on a panel is insanity! Well done for just surviving that!