Interviews

[victoriah3]

Anyone else rubbish at interviews ? I do all the prep incl practicing answering difficult questions etc.... When I get in the interview room my mind goes completely blank!! I have had two interviews recently and asked for feedback - both said I had good experience and technical ability but was too quiet. I am a shy type who only opens up once I get to know people. I am not pushy and I am useless when it comes to selling myself. I get on with my work quietly but do a great job.As such I am still in a job that is well below my ability level anyone offer any advice?

Hi Victoria, yes me too. I'm a bit better now but was dreadful at messing up interviews through shyness when I was younger. It's an awful feeling when you know you would be perfect for the job but can't get that across.

I try and get around it by acting. I think of a friend I know who is very self confident and outgoing, and think how she would answer those questions. Then I just go for it acting as though I'm her (though obviously substituting my own experience, qualifications etc!). Might this help?

Could you do some practice with someone?

I do quite a bit of presenting, and the only way to get through the nerves is to have done it so often that you just know it will be OK. Thinking in your head "I'm really good at that" won't help you say it when it comes to a RL situation - you need to be used to saying it. Could you get a friend/family member to do a practice interview on you? Then do it over and over again till your words are flowing better. Then get someone else to come into the room, eg your friend's DP/mum/dad, so you aren't just getting used to talking in front of one person IYSWIM.

It's much better to be good at your work but have a presentation layer to work on, than be great at selling yourself but rubbish at the job. Selling yourself is just a skill that requires a bit of practice.

Good luck!