Job interview, nerves getting the better of me

[EricNorthmansFangbanger]

I was hoping someone would have some advice for me or maybe just to talk some sense into me.

I have a job interview on Thursday for the position of fundraising assistant. I graduated last year with a degree in marketing as a mature student. I have no experience within fundraising or marketing (apart from telesales), but quite a bit of the job spec is more to do with marketing and event management.

I've applied for over 200 jobs since September, some of those I've not had a response from and I've had a lot of rejections. I have had 4 interviews so far and the feedback always seems to be that my lack of experience is letting me down. My last job was in 2009 before I began studying, I didn't get a chance to take a placement year as I had two children within the course of my degree and had to take a year out. I can't afford to put DC2 and DC3 in childcare to go and volunteer to gain some experience, as much as I would love to.

I'm trying to prepare for the interview as best I can, but I am extremely nervous. My friend is the CEO of the charity in question and will be on the interview panel. I carried out a live project on this charity in my final year of university, I've got plenty of enthusiasm and ideas but I'm panicking because of my lack of experience. I think also knowing my friend is going to be interviewing is making me nervous.

I've printed out copies of the report I produced for them back in my final year and have a small list of questions to ask at the end. I'm just struggling to see how I can sell myself as the best person for the job.

Go through the person spec and detail all the bits where you fit exactly what they're looking for. Look for the bits where you excel and have confidence that you can do these things better than anyone else.

Have you got all the practical stuff sorted - outfit ready and ironed, know the route to the location, enough petrol/bus fare etc?

Round tonight off with a relaxing bath and hopefully you'll get a decent night's sleep.

Good luck!

Try to work with your transferable skills. So look for the experience they want and think of examples in previous roles or project work where it has been similar.

Have clear examples of when you have done the stuff they are looking for.

Also be very clear on the knowledge you bring from your degree, you are fully educated to the role, just not yet experienced in it.

Before you go in picture yourself doing the job, and doing it brilliantly, really imagine what it will look and feel like. Then go into the interview knowing you are the best person for the job.

And relax.

And good luck!

Thank you all so much

I have all of the practical side ready, I'm planning on wearing my converse to drive in, so have my interview shoes in my car so I don't forget them. MiL is kindly coming to look after DC2 and DC3 for a few hours on the day of the interview. I think I may take some rescue remedy before hand to try and settle the nerves.

A lot of my skills are university based, so a lot of my examples are from that time. There are a few points of the person spec I need to work on. I can imagine myself in this role, I just need to show that I can do it.

I have nothing else to add to all the good advice above, but just adding my support as I hate interviews too and get very nervous and uptight in the lead up. I had an interview in December and used Rescue Remedy and Kalms (might have had more of a placebo effect though). I pretended I was a super confident person and it did actually make me feel like I WAS that person.

No-one was more surprised than me when I was offered the job (which I started this week).

Anyway, very best of luck, you sound perfect for the role

Sorry about the typing by the way, am on my kindle

Good luck tomorrow. I also have a BIG interview so am taking my own advice and the other advice here. :D

The greatest tip given to me was: at the end when they ask you if you have any questions, ask "Is there anything I haven't covered?".

This allows them to go 'off-script' and ask you what they want to know, or revisit a question you didn't answer fully without prompting you and giving you an unfair advantage.

Good luck

Thank you all so much.

Just thought I'd let you know that I got the job!

Ah that's brilliant! Congratulations!

Are you off out to celebrate?

Well done. Brilliant.

Have fun celebrating

Well done!

Fab news! congratulations

Thank you

I'm celebrating with hopefully an early night and a full night's sleep if DS allows it. Mad rush to sort childcare now though, I start a week Monday!