How to pass a senior interview when your confidence is through the floor?

[teawamutu]

Just found out I've failed at yet another interview. I was appointable so on a reserve list, but vacancy holder pretty clear they wouldn't want me.

I'm relatively senior, smart and damn good at what I do, but after a very difficult couple of years at work I feel completely undermined and unconfident and clearly that's coming across. I'm trying too hard to the extent that they think I'm surprised by questions and haven't prepared, when the reverse is true!

I'm a people-pleaser which is one reason my confidence is so low. My experience is excellent - on paper I've absolutely no problem expressing myself or getting an interview. In the right job I would be brilliant but I can't seal the deal.

Any wise words? Hypnosis? Drugs? Bribery? Help!

No advice but following as I've also lost a lot of professional confidence at work and I have been thinking exactly the same will happen to me. I'm already much less confident expressing myself. Sorry to hear it's happened for you and really hope you are hired soon and able to make a change. My only advice would be to (over)prepare and rehearse your answers but it sounds like you're doing that already!

Ohhh, been there, got the t-shirt and now got the job. It's crap that you've been undermined and lost your confidence and it's really hard to get that back on your own.

Is there any chance you could access some coaching, I worked with someone amazing who really made me challenge the internal voices which were inserting and amplifying doubt in my own mind and which really got in the way of me presenting as a compelling leader in the interview. It was a long slog but worth it, she was able to play back to me all the things I'd internalised which were untrue and I genuinely couldn't defend when pressed... All the best of wishes for getting on top of it.

this seems all too common but is a hard market out there to get a job in. I had a boss (new) put me on a PIP and brought up such basic stuff I would not sweat over with my team and prior to that had no
problems With any other manager it was soul destroying. I was eventually made redundant and today was my last day. Like you I’ve been getting to the last stages but not quite nailing it. I am reading a book called “let them” as recommended by a friend so it’s all about how we can’t change what other people do but ways in how we can help ourself! I had a final interview with a COO on Friday and hoped I’d get the job! No confirmation one way or another yet!!!! I keep going over what I said as HR told me they were not speaking to anyone else right now so it was my job to lose!!! I know I will get a positive outcome at some point! It will be your turn one day!

Interview coaching. It might be expensive but often a worthy investment

https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&searchquery=self+worth+meditation

I have found these meditations helpful to build self worth and confidence. You have to them often. The ones from the mindful movement. There are lots you can try

Just found out I've failed at yet another interview. I was appointable so on a reserve list, but vacancy holder pretty clear they wouldn't want me.

I'm relatively senior, smart and damn good at what I do
So, you've passed interviews in the past, and proven your worth!

but after a very difficult couple of years at work I feel completely undermined and unconfident and clearly that's coming across.
Look into mentoring, coaching and shadowing, and interview coaching. Say "yes" to all opportunities, expand your network. It feels to me like you are stuck in a rut which you need to break out of. As a senior woman, there will be people out there who look up to you. Maybe look at mentoring as a mentor as well as a mentee. You need to work on building you confidence.

I'm trying too hard to the extent that they think I'm surprised by questions and haven't prepared, when the reverse is true!
So what happens in interviews? Try not to be too prescriptive in your answers, use the STAR method, but be flexible.

I'm a people-pleaser which is one reason my confidence is so low.
A good lesson to learn is that it's OK not to like everybody, and it's okay for people not to like you. It's a job, not a party. Grow a thick skin.

My experience is excellent - on paper I've absolutely no problem expressing myself or getting an interview. In the right job I would be brilliant but I can't seal the deal
Don't laugh, but I have a very softly spoken senior colleague who told me that she does She-Ra poses in front of a mirror before interviews.

Following

hope you get a job soon

Some career coaching or a free talk with a good friend? Practise. I feel would help.

This. I found it very useful last time I had a big interview.

I recently had a free taster session with this coach https://annagradie.com/ It's free so you've nothing to lose!

Also following. I have a poor employer who have battered my confidence recently. See also: menopause. In actual fact I am good at my work but have become massively defensive.

I've had a thought. Are you a graduate? A lot of universities allow their graduates to access their careers service after they graduate. They may be able to help with interview coaching.

I've been in a similar position.

The things that worked for me were coaching and doing interviews for 'low stakes' jobs I didn't really want.

Also Google sports visualisation. Proven and scientific way to improve confidence, used by many athletes and sports stars. Same principles can be applied to any area of life.