Sure fire cures for interview phobia?

[ManicStreetTeacher]

I'm a middle manager and successful in my job. I've been doing a senior management position temporarily and am keen to take the next step permanently.

However, I have developed a ridiculous interview phobia to the point where I'm not applying for positions because I'm terrified of the process. I know (from self-evaluation and from feedback) that I don't perform well at interview. I put my heart and soul into prep. for every interview, including having mock interviews from colleagues, friends and friends of friends. I invariably end up crying during these (thankfully never during an actual interview...).

I'm generally a sensible, level-headed person but I'm at a loss as to how to sort myself out. Does anyone have any suggestions that may have worked for them? I'm wondering if hypnotherapy or medication (valium?) may be worth a try?

In every other area of my life I seem able to give myself a kick up the backside and then I'm fine. Not with interviews. 🤤

I’d try Valium! In my 20s and 30s I was very confident in interviews but that stopped cold when I hit my early 40s. Just do whatever you have to do to get through it.

I don’t know if this helps at all but I have been on lots of interview panels and seen lots of people get very nervous. Just remember that the panel really want you to do well and want to get the best out of you - genuinely. I have also been a bit nervous on the panel (hoping the process/questions that we’ve selected are going to be the right ones etc) so remember that the panel are human too. Also it is totally natural to be nervous and no one will think any less of you. Don’t think of it as something you need to completely disguise, you just need to control it enough to allow you to answer the questions with a clear head. Being nervous just shows what it means to you and how seriously you are taking it. The panel also won’t mind if you take a sip of water/deep breath and little pause before starting your answer - this can be a good way to let the question soak in and think about what you are going to say before the nervous energy takes over.

Over preparing hasn’t worked for you in the past so stop doing that. Always good to think of likely questions and mentally prepare a few points that you could respond with but perhaps the mock interviews just aren’t going to be that helpful.

Good luck with it all.

Sounds like you are over preparing and building it up into something massive.

I am good at Interviews (i suspect im less good at the actual job once i get it if I’m honest)

If it’s a technical interview i treat it like an exam and Memorise the tech stuff that I need to, otherwise it’s better just to moderately wing it.

The sure fire way to get good is to do them. If I’m looking for a new job I apply for everything remotely suitable, interview THEN decide if it’s for me. I do at least one or 2 interviews a year. Some for internal promotions or sideways moves withiN the organisation