First Interview in 22 years - HELP

quietheart

I've got an interview on Monday and am HOPELESS at talking about myself. I can do the form, no problem but get tongue-tied and go red.

On top of this I haven't been employed for 12 years.

Any advice and tips greatly appreciated!:j

Eliza_2

I'm doing the first formal one in a million years too - what sort of organisation is yours and do you know anything about the interview? (panel of 3? computer or written test etc?)

wolfehouse

if you are not desperate for work why not use this as 'practise'
so you can relax a bit about whether you get the job or not.

when I started going for interviews I went to lots where I didn't even want the job so I could just get some experience. By the time my dream job came up I was so used to rejection and embarrassing myself that I was just myself and got it!

Annisele

If you're applying for Jeremy Paxman's job, getting tongue tied in interviews is a major handicap. But for most jobs, it doesn't matter - they care about whether you can do the job, not about whether you're nervous in interviews.

I don't go red in interviews, but I do stammer (I don't stammer generally; it's an "interview only" habit). I find it helps to pretend it's practice for a job I'd love to do one day but don't have a hope of getting quite yet.

itzmee

I can feel panicky during interviews/appraisals and am sure that I can feel my cheeks burning bright red. My little trick that I use to calm me down is that I always make sure that I have a glass of water to hand so that I can sip it when I feel that 'nervy' moment hit me. It also gives me time to collect myself and think about what I am going to say.

Eliza_2

I also think preparation helps with being tongue-tied and brain-dead in an interview. I'm going to spend some time tomorrow thinking up a few questions based on the person spec and job description, I know that the bits that are worse for me are the questions along the lines of 'describe an event when you showed how you...blah blah' that's when my mind goes blank. I'm going to think up some scenarios I think and remember how I dealt with them. When you're not any good at thinking on your feet, it helps to have stuff you can pull out of the hat ready and waiting.

Also prepare questions to ask at the end - if you can, bring them in during the interview, and keep it going as if it was a conversation, but if not, ask them at the end. There's a good thread on here somewhere giving ideas for questions.

I'm great at the theory ..... and great at kicking myself afterwards too!!!

Bronnie

I had my first serious interview for over 30 years last month lol

Previous jobs, I'd just flashed my qualification certificates or else been for an informal chat and after that, was self-employed for 10 years.

This interview was for a career change and a job I really wanted. I had 4 weeks notice. I spent 3 weeks preparing, reading up on forums, going to the local drop-in Job Club for interview advice and up-to-date tips.

By the final week, I was actually back-pedalling to avoid panic. So, what will be will be, if they like me they like me, kind of attitude.

My partner suggested I think of something that would make me smile while I was waiting to go in and this was great advice to avoid any rising feeling of panic. I tried my best answering a lot of competency based questions. Interview went ok, was on the spot a few times, but just tried to relax, ask for clarification where necessary, but most importantly tried to let my personality, warmth and enthusiasm shine through and tried to engage with the interviewers.

At the grand age of 56, I am delighted and excited to be embarking on my new career next month. ::j

Fire_Fox

Nothing wrong with saying you are nervous and this interview means a lot to you, if you word it right that can actually impress them. Also nothing wrong with asking for a moment to think about a question if your mind goes blank.

quietheart

Eliza wrote: »

I'm doing the first formal one in a million years too - what sort of organisation is yours and do you know anything about the interview? (panel of 3? computer or written test etc?)

Panel of 3 females asking competency based questions.
It's a national charity and I would love to work for them.
I would have loved some practice but this is the job I really want.

quietheart

Eliza wrote: »

I also think preparation helps with being tongue-tied and brain-dead in an interview. I'm going to spend some time tomorrow thinking up a few questions based on the person spec and job description, I know that the bits that are worse for me are the questions along the lines of 'describe an event when you showed how you...blah blah' that's when my mind goes blank. I'm going to think up some scenarios I think and remember how I dealt with them. When you're not any good at thinking on your feet, it helps to have stuff you can pull out of the hat ready and waiting.

Also prepare questions to ask at the end - if you can, bring them in during the interview, and keep it going as if it was a conversation, but if not, ask them at the end. There's a good thread on here somewhere giving ideas for questions.

I'm great at the theory ..... and great at kicking myself afterwards too!!!

You sound very in control, I'm sure you'll be great.
It's also the 'tell me about a time you ...........' questions.
I know I have relevant experience I just am rubbish at getting that across when I'm stressed.

Eliza_2

Am sitting at my desk with the job desc and person spec, writing out every conceivable question they could ask me on each point and for each one I'm writing a 'this is what I did....' answer (is that what they call competency based questions - well I never knew that!!!)

Having written notes on each point I'm writing it out in best writing ( I memorise better with pen and paper than on computer, as I touch type my mind can easily stray while the fingers continue to type!!) and pulling the notes together emphasising the aspects that I think are relevant to this job (a local charity, 3 on the panel, I really want it too!!!)


...and don't forget the equal opps question!!!


...and I'm really beginning to panic. Going to sort out my clothes next!