Need to be outstanding at an upcoming job interview

[SupremeCommanderServalan]

My manager at my current workplace is really getting to me. I have tried every which way to deal with him, but I am in a specialist role, which he really doesn't understand and feels threatened by my expertise. So I want to jump ship and have a job interview lined up for a to die for role.

I'm terrible at interviews and feel generally crippled by self doubt and insecurity, despite being good at what I do.

How do I turn that around into shining so brightly they cannot help but offer me the job?

Hi op, this was me very recently, awful line manager that was threatened by me. Found a fabulous job and got it but also was very worn down after lots of bad behaviour and my self esteem was very low.

I just did all the usual, researched the role heavily and made notes so I had all the info in my mind for the interview (did take a little notepad in though) reached out to the team before the interview and met them so I felt more comfortable with them and already had a little bit of a rapport which eased the nerves. And the hardest one, just believe in yourself, the simple one that sounds cheesy but I had to have a word with myself and say no she's not going to stop me moving on and up, I can do it! I know some of that might be a bit patronising but it's what helped me.

Good luck!

This might sound a bit naff. But I always treated it like a performance I was playing the character of a better version of myself who was confident. There's this thing I read about called cloak of confidence which some people might find useful. drjennybrockis.com/2015/3/17/how-to-wear-your-cloak-of-confidence/

I guess it's just the old fake the confidence until you feel confident. But it works for me. Also the interviewers are human they will know you're nervous and should take that into account, interviews are not something we do often.

Firstly remember empty cans make the most noise.
Be yourself, you will be given the opportunity to talk about the role and your skills, this is what is the most important.
Preparation is key, research the backside out of the company and it’s key employees.
Have answers ready for typical questions, how you made a difference in your current role, strengths and weaknesses etc.

Good luck.

The brain triggers the same physiological reaction for both anxiety and excitement - the difference is how you use the reaction. Instead of thinking "I'm so anxious/worried/nervous about this interview" keep saying to yourself "I'm so excited about this interview". It makes such a difference in the way you feel and approach the interview.

Also think to yourself that this company has a vacancy they need to fill. They want the best person for the job and you are the best person. Don't look at it as them interviewing you - think of it as a two way discussion where you are both trying to work out if you are a good fit for each other.

Agree with pp, think that you are interviewing them in a way too! Takes some of the pressure off.

Yes for me I'd turn it around in your head from needing to be some kind of uber-shiny performance to con them into hiring you, to the fact that you already have everything you need to get the role, you are the best candidate and all you need to do is not sabotage that by second-guessing yourself. Some nerves are fine, interviews are a formal and artificial situation and assuming the candidate actually wants the job, of course they're anxious and seem a bit stiff or quiet or whatever. Outside of a few specific roles likes some types of sales where the ability to come across as incredibly confident and bouncy in that kind of context is important, I'm actually a bit suspicious as an interviewer of someone who doesn't seem nervous at all. It's more a case that I need them to deliver good content of the interview through the nerves, so I would focus on good preparation, succinct and well structured examples of your top achievements and why you want the job, have top notch knowledge of the industry and their company, brush up on any technical areas or issues or systems they use you aren't totally confident on and so on. Practice your answers out loud or do a bit of role-play with a willing friend or family member.

On the day make sure you smile and look them in the eye, sit up straight and remember to breath. Take a second before launching into answers to collect your thoughts, try to structure what you say rather than waffling or doing verbal diarrhea-ing - it's fine to ask them to rephrase or repeat a question, or to pause after giving your answer and say 'does that answer your question or would you like more detail on XYZ?' if you are unsure if you've said enough - I'd rather candidates did that and give me the chance to ask specific prompts or follow-ups than in a missguided attempt to answer every possible aspect of my question totally fully give me a rambling answer that roams over their 20 years career history and their philosophic contemplations about the universe, ending in an anecdote about their Aunty's Angela's sock drawer or similar

Thank you everyone, appreciate it. I should know myself well enough by now that one way to quell my nerves is proper preparation. So I need to crack on with that rather than just feeling terrified.

Will let you know how it goes.

Preparation as you say :)

Firstly (but don’t spend ages) have a quick google of the company: their website, new stories etc - so you know about them - this will help you justify why that company (obviously if you know people there talk to them, it’s even more convincing to get some first hand info)

Go through the job description and make a table: the requirements they mention & how you meet them. Write examples (eg I have this skill because I did this in a past job etc)

Google basic interview questions and prepare answers: especially tell me about yourself/why are you a fit to the role/what is your biggest accomplishment/your strengths and weaknesses

Actually write out answers (bullet points is best) and practice saying them

PRACTICE with a friend: even if you have to give them a list of questions- also ask them to ad lib a few (phone /video call is good for this): this makes a MASSIVE difference (I have been doing this with 2 friends who are job changing lately)

If you have to do a presentation etc - prepare in enough time to have a night to sleep on it, less is more & don’t focus on that so much you forget interview basics

LASTLY: when you prepare thoroughly you will realise the skills you have that will allow you to do the role: this confidence will show