I think I might soon have a job interview for a role I've failed to get a few times before

[StealthPolarBear]

The last time was my own stupid fault, I fitted the interview I with another work commitment the same day and failed to get in the zone.
But in front of the same panel, people I know ans people who have rejected me before... Help please! I have always had good feedback but i knew last time I wasn't on form with the questions.

Any tips for getting over the feeling of failure before you have begun?

They are unlikely to use the same questions but you do have a bit of an advantage in terms of a sneak preview about how they interview. Use that knowledge to your advantage.

What was it about how you felt or acted last time that you wish you could have done better. That's what you focus on, not on feelings of failure.

You were busy last time and didn't have time to prepare and rehearse. That isn't a crime. If they've invited you to interview they must believe you have the skills and experience needed for the role.

Superficial but if you have time get in the zone with a blow-dry, try on your outfit etc. I agree they won't have wasted their time inviting you for interview unless they want to give you the job. Positive thoughts!

Thanks both. Embarrassingly I've been interviewed at least twice before for this job. Good point though, my last feedback was that they did think I could do the job (but someone else was better).
I definitely plan to get my hair done first if I can. Problem is the interview is likely to be three hours away!
I need to start preparing now don't I. I need to be so professional at the interview

An anecdote (absolutely true) which may help.

A few years ago my wife was interviewed for a job. She didn't get it. They gave the role to an internal applicant. A couple of months later another job came up at that company and she applied. Some of the same people were involved in the interview process. This time she was one of two candidates invited back for a test as they couldn't decide between them. She missed out again. Shortly after another job came up. She applied again. She was invited to interview. She got herself really worked up about it and nearly didn't go. She was convinced they were going to tell her that they didn't want her and she should stop applying. In fact the "interview" consisted of having a cup of tea with one of the HR team and being told that the job was hers if she wanted it.

I'm not saying that will happen to you. But if they keep inviting you back for interview they clearly think you have potential to do the job. So relax, be confident (but not over-confident - it isn't your job yet!) and give it your best shot.

Good luck.

As an hiring manager, I would see someone applying for a role they had previously been unsuccessful in interviewing for as showing tenacity and determination (at my last firm this was one of our ‘core competencies’). In addition, if you’ve been interviewed by the same people in recent memory, perhaps the choice they made last time didn’t work out for them.

One of the best appointments I ever made was someone who had applied for the same role twice previously, being pipped by candidates whose were better qualified on paper, and slightly more polished at interview, but who didn’t last in the role.

Good luck!

It's internal so I know these people and they know me. Good advice from you all, thank you.