Finding confidence in an interview situation

ferry

What do you advise I do?
I have a strong CV and have never had any confidence issues in any other area but when in an interview situation I seem to lose all my confidence.
I always seem to come out of one wishing I had said something different or elaborated more on some points but I'm sure I come over less confident than I should and that could be costing me.

Any ideas?

sammyroser

I think we all come out of interviews wishing we had/hadn't said something.

The best advice I can offer you is to research as much about the role/company as possible so that you know any question you get asked you can answer. And if they ask you a question that you weren't prepared for don't be afraid to pause to think of an answer.

Practise is also good, if you have someone who can ask you questions on a regular basis so you get used to thinking on your feet.

BJV

I used to have to interview people all the time.

The best and only thing I would say is relax and be yourself. Sorry to put the pressure on but an statistically ( well according to all the courses I have been on ) an interviewer usually makes up their mind within the first five minutes.

So basic stuff make sure that you look fab as this will on a subconscious level help you feel great and boost your confidence.

Google the company and find out as much as you can. This is not because they want to work with someone who already knows everything it is just that they want to see that you took the time and effort to check.

Be honest, if you don't know say so. DO NOT TRY AND FLUFF ! They will know you are just winging it.

If at the end when they ask any more questions use this time to revisit any points you where unsure about and elaborate, even better if you can come up with a killer question.
What would you say are the most important attributes the successful candidate would have ?
Is there room for progression and growth within the company? Hey however you want to word it but importantly what you are trying to show is that you are looking long term and are not frightened of hard work.

Don't forget that sometimes depending on the person they may well be as nervous as you. Interviewing someone is not easy and some people don't like it.

I hope that this makes sense. Good luck!

leftieM

I've just been through 17 interviews in the last 2 years. I finally got a permanent job (in teaching - rare things in my area).
My last 5 interviews were different to the first ones.
I stopped being desperate and told myself that my goal was to do my best and that there would be other jobs. I began to realise that the interview is about seeing what I have to offer, whether they can work with me, and how I'll fit into the organisation. It's not about 'right' answers. At the end of the day, you are you and there's no point pretending to be what you think they want.
I noticed that recently I was getting good body language feedback in the interviews - nodding, listening, smiles of encouragement etc. I always made eye contact with everyone on the panel. I always thanked them for inviting me to interview.
- Have it in your mind what you want them to know about you.
- The nerves are unavoidable. I always felt sick with nerves going in. Just accept it. A good calming technique is to breathe in deeply and then sigh out while thinking "F**k it" (taken from F**k It - The Ultimate Spiritual Way by John C. Parkin).
-Write down everything good that your bosses/colleagues have ever said about you and repeat that to yourself before going in. You are great and it's just a matter of time before an interview panel recognises it.

Mista_C

leftieM wrote: »

I've just been through 17 interviews in the last 2 years. I finally got a permanent job (in teaching - rare things in my area).
My last 5 interviews were different to the first ones.
I stopped being desperate and told myself that my goal was to do my best and that there would be other jobs. I began to realise that the interview is about seeing what I have to offer, whether they can work with me, and how I'll fit into the organisation. It's not about 'right' answers. At the end of the day, you are you and there's no point pretending to be what you think they want.
I noticed that recently I was getting good body language feedback in the interviews - nodding, listening, smiles of encouragement etc. I always made eye contact with everyone on the panel. I always thanked them for inviting me to interview.
- Have it in your mind what you want them to know about you.
- The nerves are unavoidable. I always felt sick with nerves going in. Just accept it. A good calming technique is to breathe in deeply and then sigh out while thinking "F**k it" (taken from F**k It - The Ultimate Spiritual Way by John C. Parkin).
-Write down everything good that your bosses/colleagues have ever said about you and repeat that to yourself before going in. You are great and it's just a matter of time before an interview panel recognises it.

This is good advice but I would like to add something that I used to tell all my interviewees. Many forget or don't realise an interview is a two-way process. It's not about the managers judging you, it's to provide both parties an opportunity to meet face-to-face and discuss the role that's available. It's as much your interview as it is the interviewers.

For the interviewer it's about finding a person suited to an available position in their organisation. Most don't care who that is as long as they have, or are willing to learn, the criteria for the role and the right attitude toward it.

The interviewee can use this time not only to discuss the role but to find out more (and get a feel) for the organisation to see if you actually want to work in this environment and with these people. Don't be afraid to talk to staff on your way in and around the building.

This is where I think the confidence issue comes in. People tend to focus on the "hope my answer is right" aspect when in truth there is rarely a right answer, the questions are there to gauge the way you respond to them.
If you turn the tables and put together some questions of your own, while not approaching it too forcefully, you can turn the tables and make the interviewing become a 50/50 affair.

If you can accept the concept of it being a discussion then you should be able to gain a better control over your nerves (I hope).

and BTW, I have turned down jobs myself in the past due to the way an interviewer has conducted themselves in the interview. I'm there to see if I want to work for this company, they're there to see if they want me to work for the company.

gibson123

Very simply -- you should remind yourself that they already think you can do the job. All you have to do is show them you are the person who applied for the job.

dseventy

As an employer (and owner) on the other side of the fence. Look at it as a "formal chat".

I want to get the candidate. This candidate will represent my company with my customers. If I don't get to know them, how will my customers?

That does not mean I want to know about your last holiday exploits, nor your fancy car or your massive investments.

I want to know about you. Are you personable? Can you talk to me about things we have in common (like your CV, like your experience). Can you communicate and talk confidently about yourself? Can you tell me what makes you tick? What impression do you want to leave with me?

If you got to the interview stage, I am reasonably impressed. But what about you?

D70

Kynthia

Everyone comes out of interviews thinking of better things they could have said, so don't let that worry you. The post above about body language, smiling, eye contact, etc is very good. The thing is that you have to go in believing you can do the job and that should show through.

Do lots of research and practice answering questions out load (much better than in your head). Give full and detailed answers, don't be too brief but don't start repeating yourself. If you don't know or need a moment just say so, they don't want fluff or very rehearsed answers. Think about your strengths and weaknesses, examples of good work you've done, where you see your career going and why you want to work for that company.

Be nice to everyone from the moment you arrive until you leave but remember that sometimes, no matter what you do, you won't be the best on the day or the right person for that company so don't take it personally.

BJV

Dying to ask, have you had the interview yet and have you heard back ?