How to get a job when I'm crap at interviews?

[weliketoparty79]

I hate them. I freeze up, waffle, and talk absolute nonsense.

I look great on paper but I rarely get past interview stage. I only have a few times, and that was because the interviewer had no one else and was desperate.

I am trying to find a job now and I despair. I have tried medication, therapy, practicing with multiple questions, but I still fail and make a fool of myself at interviews.

What can I do, what sort of jobs wouldn't require one to be good at interviews????

It's just unfair as I am a hard, reliable and conscientious worker. But I can't bullshit and fake confidence.

What sorts of jobs would you be interested in?

I'm shit at interviews too. I tend to only be successful at interview if the company are hiring a lot of people at once for the same role or if I'm referred by an agency.

I had this problem, just freeze up and blank at simple questions and then kick myself on the drive home thinking of how I could have responded.

Think of typical questions and write yourself a script or bullet points as references for answers and rehearse good responses. Think of your previous experience, strengths and weakness, goals and ambitions and questions you want to ask.

Reed used to have excellent interview prep tips that I found really helpful.

You don't need to bullshit but don't undersell yourself either.

I'm not great at interviews either. Honestly sometimes I think it's just a matter of being interviewed by someone who clicks with you - I know it's not supposed to work that way, but it's kind of how people like OP and me get jobs! But it does mean it takes a bit longer.

It can help a bit if you can offer or do that little bit extra ahead of an interview - I got my currently role, after 6 months of looking following redundancy, after I clocked that the membership organisation I wanted to work for had a free event for people who wanted to become members, so I went to one. It helped me understand a complex organisation and showed I was genuinely interested, so if you can find ways like that to interact with the organisation you're going got it can help.

I heard of an example in another field - retail. A guy who'd been looking for work for a while in jewellery retail went to the store as a 'mystery shopper' and gave them some constructive feedback on his experience.

This was me. I had to rehearse even to the point of imagining walking in and sitting down. Go over job description and person specification and work out an answer for each. I would learn it like a script. Ironically, in my job I later trained people for interview and they were very successful applicants overall.

Also, a tip I used last time round is - an interview isn't an exam or a memory test. You can take notes with you if you want to use them as a prompt if you need to recall facts and figures to support your case.

I agree look at Reed inline for interview tips

Sign up with a temp agency

My strategy is to set my expectations quite low so putting less pressure on myself.

I convinced myself that I wouldn’t get my current job so even though I prepared for the interview, I almost just went through the motions and actually felt quite relaxed and less stressed. I got the job 🤷‍♀️

You are over thinking it. The best interviews I've had are for jobs I don't really want ... I relax, I'm natural, I am honest, and I ask questions directly to nouse out whether I want the job.

I've always thought that any job is lucky to have me. I'm unique. And I wouldn't go on a date only obsessing "oh my oh my oh my what if he doesnt like me, what if I'm not pretty enough/witty enough" etc. I'd also be thinking "is this guy going to treat me right? Do we click? Is he a person I want to invest a considerable amount of my time getting to know? What's in it for me?"

If you think about an interview as an opportunity to find out if the employers are good enough for you, you might feel a lot better about it.

@TeachesOfPeaches

Sign up with a temp agency

Do this 😁

I've been temping for years and have been offered numerous jobs.

If people can see you're capable, the rest is just a formality

@SpringChickenSubstitute

You are over thinking it. The best interviews I've had are for jobs I don't really want ... I relax, I'm natural, I am honest, and I ask questions directly to nouse out whether I want the job.

I've always thought that any job is lucky to have me. I'm unique. And I wouldn't go on a date only obsessing "oh my oh my oh my what if he doesnt like me, what if I'm not pretty enough/witty enough" etc. I'd also be thinking "is this guy going to treat me right? Do we click? Is he a person I want to invest a considerable amount of my time getting to know? What's in it for me?"

If you think about an interview as an opportunity to find out if the employers are good enough for you, you might feel a lot better about it.

This is really good advice. Don't forget you're interviewing them too!

Go with a temp agency is good advice as per teachesofpeaches. I'm absolutely rubbish at interviews, my brain freezes so much I can't comprehend the question never mind come up with an eloquent answer but I'm a good worker, everywhere I've ever worked always wanted me to stay. Agencies will take anyone as they are only interested in filling contracts so they don't really interview you properly. (I can vouch for this from the other side from the calibre of temporary workers we've had to work with us from time to time😉) if they have a vacancy to fill and you do the job well you will get offered a permanent post I'm sure without the stress induced interview. Even if you have to do one they will 'help' you with the right answers to tick the box if they want you to stay. ✅👍

I feel your pain. Its the main reason I haven't really progressed as far as I am capable of. My mind goes blank, and I stutter and waffle. I've just recently passed an interview for a civil service EO job and I swear they probably gave me the job because they felt sorry for me lol 😆 In my experience, I feel preparation is essential. Study the job description and person spec, write down loads of examples using the STAR technique, memorise them, and rehearse until you know them off by heart.

I’m really good at interviews (I think 😂) because I’ve been to lots, including some for big promotions, and always been successful.

I would say it’s all about preparation whilst remembering this isn’t the only job in the world. If I prepare in advance then I feel confident I know what I want to get across, but I go in knowing that if this isn’t the right job then that’s ok - the next one that comes along may be better for me in some way anyway, who is to know? I just turn up and say what I want to say and if I’m the right person, they’ll snap me up.

Definitely take notes in with you.

Use the STAR technique as well, have your notes structured so you have around 8 different examples you can refer to.

Ask for feedback if you don't get the job, use this to build on your answers

Practice, practice practise. Take deep breaths. Everyone gets nervous, it is completely normal.

Good luck

I used to be rubbish at interviews but I've found these things seem to work:

Do lots of prep. Make notes and look at them every night before the interview. You will be surprised what comes back to you.

From the job description memorize 6 key skills required and how you can show evidence of having them

To memorise these skills use the first letter of each and try and make a word with it that you will remember, the ruder the better

Think of how you have had a challenge at work and overcome it.

How have you used your initiative.

Look at the company website. If something stands out you can say that's why you especially want to work there.

A good question to ask is if I was successful what would be my main tasks/priorities during the first 3 weeks.

Zoom interviews are less nerve wracking. You can put prompts/notes on your desk.

Try and sound enthusiastic.

Good luck!

I had a interview today and think I did OK but knowing my luck I won't get it

PP mentioned that temp agencies dont generally interview. Is that always the case for an office/admin temp?

Ive been off for a number of years as a SAHM and want to go back to work but am rubbish at interviews plus my work examples were all from a long long time ago.