Interview on Thursday...But I always mess them up!

[brainfog2026]

I have an interview on Thursday for a job I really want, and would be good at. This kind of job rarely comes up in my field (quite niche), and salary is very good. It will be a very sought-after role and I'll be up against many candidates who have similar experience etc.

I've done all my research, have prepared answers to questions etc, but when I try to answer them, my mind just goes blank. This always happens to me in interviews, even if I could do the job standing on my head. I end up either stammering, or waffling, or both, and never really answer the question the best way I can. Sometimes I even forget what the question is...

Does anyone have any advice on how I can actually answer the questions properly, show my worth and even get an edge on other candidates? I'm a good writer, but when it comes to speaking, I kind of just freeze.

I have one then too. Hope it’s not the same job 🤣

Make some short notes before . Remember it’s a two way thing. They want to find the best person. You need to check it’s right for you too. Try to just be yourself and relax a little, it’s not an interrogation.
.

Early on in my career one of my colleagues told me she likes interviews as it's a good chance to show off. For me trying to walk in with that attitude totally helped reframe them. You don't need to be nervous because you'll ace the job, all you need to do is turn up and show off!

Not sure if it works for everyone but for me it has.

You can get chatgpt to run a practice interview. Load up your CV and job description. You talk your answers in and it analyses them and improves them. Helps you be more structured and succinct.

@Squiggles23 has it! The best piece of advice I have ever got, from an American friend, when I was interviewing with an American company was to channel my inner American, be brash about how amazing I am. I did. I got the job and have done this ever since (that was twenty years ago) just remember, why wouldn’t they want you? You’re amazing!

Thanks. All very helpful. I know it's some kind of freeze response, and my brain just stops. I did the ChatGPT thing which was very helpful - kept my answers shorter then I would usually, but when I tried to answer them out loud (was role-playing with my DD), the usual brain freeze happened - and I was in my PJs on my sofa!
A good idea to see it as a chance to show off!

Just take your time as well, make a little joke if you need to about nerves etc!

Keep going through answers out loud, so you hear yourself saying the words - it helps embed them in your mind. Think of it as stuff you already know, so all you’re doing is sharing your thinking and experience rather than it being a test where you need to get all the answers right. Try to be warm and engaging - even if you’re nervous having a good manner can help get you through the bits you’re unsure of. It’s a conversation about stuff that you know well so imagine you’re explaining it to a friend who doesn’t know your job, what would you tell them if they wanted to understand your work better?

Don't undersell yourself and give evidence of size of projects etc. Don't assume they will know. The interviewer knows you can do the job, you have to persuade them you are the best person.

I interview a lot. I am always silently willing the applicants to do well. The questions are designed to give them the best opportunity to talk about themselves, skills and experience positively. I never set out to wrong foot applicants or catch them out in anyway.

hopefully you can reframe your thinking to imagine everyone in the room is cheering you on.

please ignore weird body language like interviewers not making eye contact; often we are busy making notes or thinking of the next question.

good luck!

(ps I have no idea why MN has defaulted to getting rid of capital letters - weird)

.

Thank you all, very helpful. I need to have a different mindset, I know. It's the thought of being "chosen" or "rejected" that I find very hard and I'm sure is at the root of my brain freeze, so I know I need to stop thinking about it in that way.

Take a notebook, write keywords of the question down as they say them. Ask them to repeat if necessary. Perhaps a bit late now for Thursday but another time it doesn’t hurt to ask if they would consider sending out questions in advance?

Get some rescue remedy. It always works for nerves for me, its probably a placebo and all in my head but I believe that it works so it does.

I also have an interview on Thursday! I’ve done some prep not enough but then when I over prep I also don’t do well so not sure what the best balance is.

Good luck to you for Thursday! Also to @fashionqueen0123 Fingers crossed you both get the outcome you want 🥰

Thank you - Very good luck to you and @fashionqueen0123 too!

Thanks. Hope it goes well!

Sounds like you only practiced once? keep practising :-)