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So nervous in interviews

16 replies

Notveryanything · 29/06/2023 21:21

I've left this a bit late - I've got an interview tomorrow afternoon.

It's for a role at a new company but the role is almost identical to what I am currently doing. There's nothing in the Job Description that I can't do.

But I am so nervous and this is always what mucks up interviews for me. I get really good feedback at work, I think I get on well with most of my colleagues and in general people seem to think I'm good at my job and I think that too.

But in an interview I go to pieces and can't say anything sensible or coherent.
I've got betablockers and will take one before the interview. I've been preparing this evening but even that gets me in a panic because it brings home the reality of what will be happening tomorrow.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
LucyLoopyLu · 29/06/2023 21:36

Generic interview advice:

Remember lots of people feel nervous so it's nothing unusual and you don't need to worry about being a bit nervous!

Use some deep breathing techniques before you go in (Google it if needed) - not for long, even 30 seconds can make you feel steadier.

If you feel comfortable, you can mention you're a bit nervous just to clear the air. Sometimes putting something out there can weirdly make you feel better about it.

When you're answering a question, don't rush yourself. Try and speak slowly.

Sometimes it can be good to repeat the question back to them to clarify you've got it correctly. Then it's fine to pause to think for a moment about what you want to say!

If you come to the end of your answer to the question and you feel like you waffled, it's ok to clarify. Say, "does that answer your question?" Or loop back around the original question.

Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer(s). Ask about the company, the team, the responsibilities, or the workplace culture. It makes you seem like you're interested and takes the pressure off you for a while.

Remember that the interview is as much about YOU finding out whether you want to work for THEM. If you're not a good fit, then you're probably better off without the job.

Look through the job description tonight (if you haven't already), and think of examples of things you have done that sit against the different skills or competencies. Just scribble them down in columns or a spider diagram.

Most interviews IME are competency based. The best way to answer these is to follow the STAR technique. Google it! If you can think of 2-3 generic answers that fit your role you can usually bring them out. E.g. a time you have managed a difficult conversation / a time when you were managing a challenging workload / a time you had to work on a project with a colleague / a time when you were "thrown in the deep end" / a time when you had to learn something new quickly.

MollysBrolly · 29/06/2023 21:45

Tell them everything I'm even if you sound daft saying things they should know say them. Treat the panel as if they have no idea about managing staff/policies/spreadsheets. Even if you sound boring to yourself. The panel need to know you know.

ZigZagRainbow · 29/06/2023 21:49

The interviewers will expect you to be nervous. The interviewers themselves will be nervous to meet new people and ask the questions properly and listen to you.

All the other interviewees will be nervous too, you are not going to be compared to a robot you will be compared with other nervous people.

It's OK to be nervous.

What small thing can you do before the interview that is a little treat for yourself to help you calm. Like have your favourite coffee, walk the scenic route, stroke your cat for longer...anything to take care of yourself.

Tuesdayvibes · 29/06/2023 21:50

Have you ever tried the superhero pose before an interview? I have and found it helpful.
Try it tomorrow? You have nothing to lose Smile
Good luck!

awesci.com/a-2-minute-exercise-to-do-better-in-interviews/

Believeitornot · 29/06/2023 21:55

Tell yourself that it’s adrenaline making you feel nervy. That’s normal. Don’t try and fight it - just accept it and then prepare.

walk around a bit before you arrive.

have some key answers practised.

before you sit down for the interview, have a look around the room and smile at the person/panel.

when you sit down, take a couple of seconds to make sure the chair is in a good place eg facing the panel, you can reach the table (if there is one) and put your bag down etc. just a few seconds to set yourself up.

when you sit down, make sure both feet are on the floor to ground yourself.

take a breath before answering.

listen to the questions. And listen to your answers. Try and slow down a bit.

remember, you’ve got this. It’s just an hour of your time, it’ll all be done by the end of the day!

BaileySurfer · 29/06/2023 22:04

Would you feel comfortable taking a notebook? Prepare tonight by writing bullet points about a few things you've done, thinking about all the usual interview questions (eg. facing challenges, dealing with various stakeholders, managing workload or people... whatever might be relevant for the job description). Refer to your notes if you need to on the day. You may find you don't need to when you have them there as a comfort blanket but if you do, it's better to use notes and give a coherent answer than not to and your mind goes blank.

Good luck!

Notveryanything · 30/06/2023 05:48

Wow thanks everyone. Such a helpful set of answers.
I had good sleep which is amazing and will help.
I'll report back later!

OP posts:
almostoverthehill · 30/06/2023 06:06

I’m exactly the same OP!

Check out advicewitherin on Instagram

justanothermanicmonday1 · 30/06/2023 06:50

I always think, well I'll have a few questions for them. So I'm also interviewing them as I might not 100% want to work for them after. Be confident. You'll be great.

ZigZagRainbow · 30/06/2023 21:35

How did you get on?

Notveryanything · 01/07/2023 01:26

Thanks @ZigZagRainbow

It wasn't brilliant. There was one question that I just didn't know the answer to, so I waffled.
And then I think because that had thrown me off course a bit I mucked the next one up too - which I should have been able to answer well.

On the positive side, I had to do a presentation which went ok I think. And I felt like I had a good rapport with the panel.

So I've no idea but I'm not particularly optimistic.

OP posts:
Notveryanything · 03/07/2023 23:19

I got it Smile
Thank you for all the advice.

OP posts:
Spinewars23 · 03/07/2023 23:58

who knows, after researching the company website today per 10 dedicated minutes spent of finding useful info all I had was a question.

All becomes academic when the interviewer feels they need take a week to come back to you. Or as one GP practise put it a ‘girly chat’ of an interview. Oh how professional NOT.

ZigZagRainbow · 04/07/2023 08:23

@Notveryanything yay!! That's great news! Well done! You can succeed when nervous! 😊

Do you have to negotiate pay now?

Notveryanything · 04/07/2023 22:31

No - salary was already a big step up but have negotiated about office days / WFH

OP posts:
ZigZagRainbow · 05/07/2023 21:27

Amazing!

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