Interview help

matt10001

I got feedback from an interview which was that I answered the questions very well but was quite nervous, can I get any help from any services on how to imrpove my interview techniques?

scheming_gypsy

if the only problem was that you were nervous; stop being nervous and you won't need any more improvement.

paddyrg

Get drunk first! That'll calm your nerves!

I trust I don't need to explain to any humourless muppets that I'm joking...

Savvy_Sue

practice beforehand - with a friend, your mum, the dog, in front of a mirror - until you can do the "I'm attracted to this company because ..." lines without fluffing them.

smileylondongal

I like Savvy Sue's advice (though if you practice in front of your dog,please post it on YouTube and send us the link,lol!) - preparation is so the key in these things. You'll feel a hundred times more confident if you've researched the company and really thought about how your past experience relates to each of the requirements and tasks of the role.

Your interview is a two way process and in the majority of cases, the recruiter in on your side wanting you to be the person they're looking for. If you've made it to interview, then you're half way there!

t0rt0ise

Telling you you're nervous isn't useful feedback. All they mean is that you were fine but they 'gelled' with someone else more and they don't have any real ciriticism to give you. Just move on to the next one.

AnnieG

Hello
I think that practicing as mentioned above is really helpful, but make sure you're actually saying the answers to potential questions out loud rather than just rehersing in your head, it's much easier to say something that you've actualy said before, if that makes sense, and the more you say it the easier it will be to say it again. Also, take your time, take a moment to reflect on the question and take a big breath before you start to answer, don't be scared to ask them to repeat the question or ask if you've answered their question when you finish speaking.
Good luck!

Mind_the_Gap

Going through a 'dry run' practice interview for the job you want can make a lot of difference to your confidence. You will need to approach someone with experience of interviewing candidates for jobs and preferably not a close friend or someone in your family, as that will not feel as nerve-wracking as it will with someone you know in a more formal capacity.

Not sure if job-centres offer this service, but you could approach a previous employer, someone you did Work Experience for, even a teacher or lecturer you know.

Good luck.

The other thing you can do, if you are really bothered by this, is get someone to video you talking about yourself (as you would in an interview). Study the video afterwards, preferably with a friend or mentor and identify what it is about your presentation which comes across as 'nervous'. Often people have nervous habits which they are totally unaware of. We had to do this as preparation for teaching practices and it was sooooooooooooo embarrassing...but very useful! At least if you know that you bite your nails or chew your hair or talk far too fast, you can work on it.

Drama teachers will often be willing to help you work on your presentation on a one-to-one basis - expect to pay up to £25 per hour, for three or four sessions.

Wellery82

Theres some good advice here. One thing i would add is try and go in viewing them as an equal - you are not just there to impress them, but for them to make you understand what their company is about. Have a smile on your face throughout, feel free to ask them questions during the interview as well. If they make a comment such as "the company has grown to three times the size in the last ten years" then you can ask a follow up question to it. Whatever it is you are interested in feel free to ask, it shows you are interested in the role, and also may make you seem more human and less nervous. Treat it as a conversation where you want to find out about the job and company, but also to make them aware of all your strengths that you can bring to them