Interview in a few weeks - I always cock them up

[Gettinagoldtoof]

I have two interviews in the next three weeks and have messed up so many I can barely even go there to start thinking about them.

one is internal and the hiring manager has mentioned my name as the potential replacement to a few people (not me, and I haven’t spoken to her about it as she’s on leave until interview!), so I know I’m not barking up the wrong tree. The other is a v similar job but external.

I can do brilliant in interview, when I don’t really care e.g. if I know there are only two applicants, it’s temp to perm or a job I don’t really want etc. but I really do care about getting a new job now, I’m desperate for more money and horribly under-utilised in current role.

I think I over-prep then try and remember what I’ve written down in prep and get stumped in interview. I also have come from another industry so I feel lots of my examples aren’t relevant (even when I reassure myself logically they’re transferable).

Any tips at all? Especially on the not focusing on remembering but letting it flow naturally?

Reported @Reminimod2023 I need a bit of advice and reassurance, not an ad…

Which interview do you have first? The internal one or external?

Describe more how you mess things up?

My top tip is slow down. You can reflect on the question, and jot down any multi clause questions.

@MaryLivingOnDreamsAndCustardCreams first one is internal, then the following week external. I’d take internal as more money and I know what I’m getting myself into if by a miracle it came down to my choice (unlikely).

Take notes with you.

@calmcoco thank you, that’s helpful, I definitely do rush a bit. The feedback I get varies, but usually my examples don’t demonstrate enough experience, e.g. ‘not enough strategic experience’ ‘not enough experience of making change.’ Current role very strategic, so I’m hoping I have some more examples to add now so I’m in a better place practically.

Essentially I’m not very good at preparing the examples even though I have a vague understanding of what the questions will be. Then I just feel stumped by the questions, even though they’re exactly what I was expecting, so weird. STAR hasn’t helped as when I prepare it doesn’t feel focused enough. I need a technique that I can apply to job description and to my own skills to link the two…

Also, like many women, I’m just so, so bad at talking myself up, I fear it sounds hollow and boastful.

get an interview coach?