AIBU to feel terrified about a job interview

[Fallon79]

I have a job interview next week and I’m terrified - not just normal expected nerves, I actually feel like I could be sick when I think about it. I have been in the same job for over 10 years and had no interviews during that time. Really fed up of the job, have a difficult relationship with my manager and it is a toxic environment so I need to get out. Interview is just so daunting and also starts with a presentation - my worst fear. I am qualified enough for this job and have relevant experience so in with a good chance if only I can get through the interview. My fear just seems completely over the top but I don’t know how to stop being so nervous about it. I’m imagining just freezing when asked a questions. Any advice/tips very appreciated

This is why I have a personal rule to stay in a job 3 years max; interview processes are bloody terrifying, but the more you do the easier they become!

I’m not sure there’s much else you can do, you know you have the experience and qualifications, and I imagine your prep is completely sorted. Just remember you are interviewing them too, so maybe work some more on questions to ask them, so you can be absolutely confident that you want this job.

And one practical thing, if you can, go for a run/fast walk before you get ready to leave for the interview. Keeps the adrenaline just a little bit lower than it might be.

Good luck!

You are so scared because it's important to you. You need to find a way to minimise that, difficult as it sounds.
Tell yourself you have a job so this isn't make or break. If you got this interview you can get another etc etc.
Try to convince your brain!

I like to think, from having sat on panels myself, that the people you will be presenting to and talking with, are genuinely looking forward to meeting you and hearing about your work. They are not there to judge or waiting for you to fail, or analysing every single slip - if they are, they’re assholes and you don’t want to work there anyway 😂

Whenever I’ve had to interview someone or watch over a recruitment process, I have interested and excited to meet the candidate and see what they can offer. TBH it’s one of my highlights every year - it makes the day interesting and I just want them all to do well. The hard part is choosing, sometimes.

Are you scared of them or scared of yourself?

I agree with convincing your brain! Another trick I find helps is to remind myself that the biology of fear is similar to excitement, so if I’m feeling the adrenaline/nausea I tell myself it’s because I’m excited not scared! Could also try some simple breathing techniques to calm the physiological response eg breathe in for 4 then out for 6. Good luck!

Ask your GP for some propanolol. Take some 30 or 40 minutes before the interview and it will stop all the physical symptoms of nerves and let you do your interview without panic impeding you.

Read the JD over and over again so you know it back to front. The same for the person spec. Prepare an example to prove you match even the daftest of points in the person spec. Know your CV back to front in case they ask you about it. They want to know about your achievements - what have you done, what successes hade you had, what were the outcomes from your actions. Read their website - learn everything you can about their products/services, their people, their mission, values etc. If they have a 'news' page on their website, see what they've done recently and weave that into your answers to prove you're keen enough to do your homework. Prepare an answer for how you've promoted diversity in the workplace (particularly if you're public sector). Basically prepare yourself so your answers are so locked in, it won't matter how nervous you are.

Remember that everyone else will be nervous too. It would be more weird if you weren't nervous. Also, they're not there to trip you up and, if they do try that, they're not the right employers for you.

Good luck!

Thankyou all very much, really appreciate the advice and tips. fingers crossed!

Know your stuff, know what the job is asking for, have some sample answers prepared that you can adapt to the questions.

And breathe. Box breathing or similar (breathe I for 6, hold for 6, breathe out for 6, hold for 6) will slow your breathing. When we're calm, we breathe more slowly, so deliberately slowing your breathing will help your body feel you're calmer. Like someone upthread said about telling yourself your cited, not scared.

I second taking a beta blocker just to manage those physical symptoms! And being prepared as you can be is absolutely key - rehearse and time
your presentation, note examples from your experience that meet the competencies and use the ‘STAR’ technique to frame your answers to the questions - Situation, Task, Action, Result. Don’t forget to not shy away from owning your achievements - how YOU managed the tasks and took action, and what was achieved as a result. Sometimes the STAR has an extra R - Reflect, where you talk about what you’ve learned and crucially how that could be transferable to the new post!
Good luck!

Really good advice here !

I would add that it helps to have more than one application on the go - especially if you are fairly desperate to leave. Makes each one slightly less important as you are not feeling doomed if you don’t get it 😀 and therefore less nerve wracking!

Good luck!

Run the person spec and everything you know about the company through an AI and ask it to portray the ideal person they are looking for. Then practise presenting yourself in that light. Get someone to role play with you beforehand,

I totally feel for you. I had a job interview recently after 14 years in the same job and right before it I was having an absolute meltdown that I just couldn’t do it. In the end it was absolutely fine and I got the job.

you CAN do this.

Agree about the propranolol.

Jesus, wish you were my boss.

Ask ChatGPT for 10’interview questions given the ad and your CV. Say the answers out loud, don’t just answer in your head. Practise smiling and being confident. Good luck.

My role frequently puts me on the other side of the table and can say that I, and everyone else that I interview with, really try very hard to make people feel at ease.

Literally only feel I’ve interviewed well if the candidate is happy and relaxed. In case you’re interviewing with me next week - PLEASE don’t worry to the level you are. It’s normal to be nervous but genuinely would hate to think anyone was nervous enough to feel unwell or lose sleep.

We’re all just normal people with our own issues - absolutely not worth getting worked up for.

This. A GP will usually prescribe something like this for a one off use fairly easily. It makes a world of difference, particularly for public speaking and the like.