I have an interview today and I barely slept, tips on survival

[Topofthepops9]

Unfortunately DH worked the night shift last night and I never sleep well on my own, so didn’t drop off until gone midnight and woke at 4:45 when he came home and couldn’t get back to sleep. I have a huge job interview today and I’m worried I’m going to look/feel exhausted, I really wanted to be on top of my game.

I've had this happen before, my last big interview I had an awful cold and barely slept the night before (thankfully it was virtual, so that was easier to manage). I still got it.

It's not pleasant but you can do it. You'll be ok, the adrenaline will carry you through more than you think. Have a coffee but not too strong a one, you don't want to be jittery - and a really good breakfast. Something sugary before the interview to keep you going.

Good luck!

I have only ever had around 2 hours sleep before all my interviews due to last minute preparations, organisation and adrenaline. It’s such a horrible feeling.

Drink a large glass of water now, followed by a coffee and eat breakfast. Splash your face with really cold water and apply face cream and massage under your eyes - rub your under eye area in strokes from the inner to outer corners at least 20 times on each side.

If you wear make up, apply a concealer and some blusher - we always look paler when we haven’t slept well.

Take water with you and keep hydrated throughout the day. Whenever you use the toilet splash your face and wrists with cold water and reapply face cream and concealer if you use it.

Thank you both - eaten breakfast and currently applying concealer by the bucketload! Feeling ok now I’m up and about so fingers crossed!

Good luck

Good thing is you’ve had 4 hours sleep so that’s better than nothing. Get up, have a shower and a cup of tea or coffee. You’ll be fine, adrenaline will get you through and you can crash after if you need to.

Good luck!! I'm sure you will be fine for the day with all the adrenaline...it'll be late afternoon that the exhaustion kicks in! I find I can generally function fine on one night of broken sleep.

Good luck. I never sleep when something important is happening the following day. Interviews, travel, surgery, Ofsted. It's horrible.
let us know how you get on

Thank you! Have already been told by the recruiter that I’m the last interview and they will have an answer by end of the day, so I will keep you all posted! This is a huge jump for me, so crossing everything.

Good luck. If you have blueberries i would eat some for the antioxidants (and they taste good)

I listened to a podcast about sleep recently that pointed out we usually undergo our most important and high stakes situations (exams, interviews, looking after a newborn etc) on limited sleep. Our bodies are equipped to handle this and will cope. You'll be fine - good luck!

I got the job!!! Oh my goodness, I can't believe it. Thank you everyone!

Congrats OP! 🎉

Oh congratulations 🥳 that's fabulous

Congratulations!

Great news. The adrenaline will have counteracted the lack of sleep! Im sure you'll sleep well tonight...

Congratulations

Thank you everyone! Somehow managed to stay awake all day off pure elation, and now to crash 😂

Fantastic news OP! So happy for you. Enjoy your good nights sleep. This thread has given me hope as I have a big interview next month and my baby will be 2 months old so I’m anticipating very limited sleep!