Interview

[SarahJop22]

Hi

I asked this question in another unrelated post recently and I thought I would post about this particular issue separately for some advice.

I have applied for a job that I think is perfect for me. I meet all the relevant criteria and it's a job I know I would enjoy and be good at.

However....

I have a phobia about public speaking. It's been an issue for me for around 10 years. The anxiety of standing in front of a room full of people makes me panic.

I suspect this job may involve delivering some training to staff and also facilitating occasional forums. This wasn't stated explicitly on the job description but kind of implied (if that makes sense).

My question is, should I come clean at the interview and tell them?
I was thinking of just saying that I'm not a confident public speaker (and not going into massive details).

If I do tell them, I run the risk of them thinking I'm odd and not giving me the job regardless of whether public speaking is a requirement or not. If I don't tell them then I may be expected to do things I'm not capable of if I get the job.

Help!

I think be honest but not too honest. So yes like you say in your op im not a confident public speaker. You could ask for training to help asdress it.

I think if they ask for a weakness, use that as an example, and what you are doing to address that problem. In the meantime try to find ways to address it - CBT may help (I have a similar phobia and found a book on CBT for public speaking many years ago). Otherwise you could always say that you try to prepare as much as possible so you will feel more confident should questions arise during your public speaking etc.

I wouldn't volunteer the info unless asked though.

I really wish I had dealt with this earlier on so it didn't become a proper phobia. It's really limited my career options and I avoid applying for brilliant jobs when public speaking is mentioned in the job description.

I have managed to avoid it in my current job. The one time I did it I was shaking, kept forgetting things, stumbled over my word and embarrassed myself massively because I couldn't think straight. The experience made my fear so much worse.

I wish I wasn't such a wimp!

CBT...sounds interesting.

Can you remember the name of the boo Gizzy?

I found the books I ordered (in 2006 😱). It was NLP and presentation skills I ordered, not CBT. However, CBT would probably help too.

As for the public speaking you did - I feel your pain! I visibly shake too and stumble over words, but others notice it less than you do as they tend to be reading slides/handouts.

Please don't mention anything at the interview! Don't give them a reason to be out off you.

Can you imagine getting the job, then finding out that you'll be partnering with your lovely colleague Jenny who absolutely loves public speak, and can't wait to help you deliver the training ... etc

You don't know what might happen in role.

Get the job, then address challenges at the time.

Put off you

Speaking, not speak.

I need gin.

I need gin too.....preferably before the public speaking!!

I have considered not mentioning it because I know it will go against me and they'll think I'm neurotic.

But what happens 2 months in when I'm expected to deliver a presentation to 50 members of staff?! What if I buckle and humiliate myself???

If I don't bring it up in the interview, I won't even get to find out if it's a requirement. Plus, if it is a regular expectation, it isn't the right fit because I really won't enjoy the job.

This is my dilemma :(

Thanks for the book recommendation Gizzy...I'll get it ordered.

When they say at the end "do you have any questions?", just say there were a couple of aspects of the role that weren't clear in the description: one being whether regular presentations etc is part of the job (even if they say yes, don't say you can't do them, you can always decline the job if offered it), and are you responsible for training anyone and, if so, what format does it typically take?

That way it sounds like you're interested in the job and gives you a way to find out if it is suitable for you without admitting you hate public speaking.

Yeah that's not a bad idea. If I ask for more details on the specific criteria I'm worried about, I can get more info that way. If it does involve PS then I can go away and get my head round it before (if) they offer me the job.

It's a pain in the arse though. So many bloody jobs want public speakers these days. You would think with the technology available and the wealth of information online (youtube, email etc) that it wouldn't feature so highly...but alas.

Thank you

if Presentation skills are in their must-have competencies and you can't see yourself wanting to deliver training materials but that's on your annual objectives then maybe you do need to consider if it's the role for you.

Alternatively can you take some presentation skills training now, irrespective of whether you go for and get this job. I don't know many middle to senior roles nowadays that don't have some element of presentations/ meeting facilitation/hosting of workshops which all falls under the category of public speaking in one way or another.

My approach of "feel the fear and do it anyway" may not be appropriate if you have a phobia - that's beyond just not liking it very much. Only you know if it's a show stopper.

Remember interviews are two-way - not just for them to find out if you'd fit the role, but also for you to find out if you want to work for that employer in that role. So definitely ask questions. Don't tell them you can't do it - you have no decision to make until you get an offer, and that won't happen if you self-sabotage.

Longer term, if you feel it's holding you back, have you thought of doing something like Toastmasters? There are clubs all over the place and there are various pathways to build up your skills in certain areas, be it leadership or planning or presentations, but all based round building your public speaking skills with supportive mentoring and constructive feedback. Or on a quite different track, hypnotherapy or something?

To be honest with you Daisy, I think it started off as just something that I found very uncomfortable but avoidance turned it in to a phobia. If I'd have faced the fear years ago it probably would have been okay. I'd have got used to it. I let it become a bigger problem by not doing it.

Ebear, I think you're probably right. If I tell them at the interview I won't get the job and won't give myself the opportunity to change things. I'm just about to start googling for clubs. Not sure there will be a Toastmasters around these parts but I'll see what I can find.

Thanks.