Any tips for interview nerves?

falko89

Errata wrote: »

What therapeutic steps are you taking to manage your social anxiety which seems to be the cornerstone of your interview problems.

I'm not, It will involve getting out of work which I can't do.

falko89

wortblossom wrote: »

Is rescue remedy any good? I have alot of social anxiety and wonder if it would help?

Some people swear by it, I tried it once and can't say I noticed any difference.

Errata

falko89 wrote: »

I'm not, It will involve getting out of work which I can't do.

Have a look at this, if it doesn't help you'll be no worse off than you are now. http://www.patient.co.uk/health/shyness-and-social-anxietyphobia-self-help-guides

Pont

You haven't mentioned the role you're applying for. I 'train' people in interview techniques for a living, and the approaches are very different (shop floor or executive?).

I can understand you don't want to post the job spec here, but if you PM me I'll be happy to advise.

In general:-

1) Take control of the situation. Your first greeting and your last words are vitally important. Be confident, smile, remember your body language/eye contact and be polite.

2) Know the company (google is your friend!). What do they produce? Who is their target market? Where are they located (branches)? Their latest news? etc etc. Remember your schooldays - a little revision before going into the 'exam' makes you feel a little more confident. You can always ask questions centred on your company knowledge. For example, 'I understand you've just opened an office in New York, do you see the future of this company within the USA'?

3) I would agree with a previous poster, remember you are interviewing them too. Be confident in your approach and set yourself within the company. Rather than asking, 'if I'm successsful... is there a dress code/will there be further training opportunities offered to me'? Try 'what would you like me to wear so that I may represent your organisation in a positive manner' and 'I am keen to progress in your organisation so can you tell me of opportunities available to me in order to add to my existing skill set'?
By phrasing questions like this, you are already 'placing' yourself within the company.

4) I would usually agree with a previous poster, salary and holidays are usually a big no-no at interviews. However, if the salary isn't posted (unusual) I probably would take the bull by the horns and say something along the lines of, 'if I accepted this position, can I have some indication of the expected salary'? If I was an employer, I would expect somebody to mention salary if it wasn't already indicated.

5) I would also ask as to when I could expect a decision following interview as, 'I am considering other opportunities and wouldn't want to waste both my time and the company's time so would like to hear by ..... '.

Btw, I've been interviewed for several jobs over my career and have secured every one of them. It's not an exact science but a little thought beforehand came reap the rewards!

Good luck!

sillybilly2011

Get your GP to prescribe you a propranolol tablet if you are able. Best little tablet in the world. Got my job last month, their reason was I was so calm and relaxed in the interview! haha, not in my mind i wasn't lol

(Propranolol takes away any physical symptoms of anxiety and nervousness).

ILW

AP007 wrote: »

Really? Why would that be?

Surely you would know before you attend the interviews?

I have always known the salary before or I do not attend the interview.

Performanced based pay.

AP007

ILW wrote: »

Performanced based pay.

Never heard of any job based on performance

ILW

AP007 wrote: »

Never heard of any job based on performance

Sorry, don't know what you mean.

AP007

ILW wrote: »

When I used to be involved in recruiting sales people, anybody that didn't want to know about the money would not have made it to a second interview.

AP007 wrote: »

Really? Why would that be?

Surely you would know before you attend the interviews?

I have always known the salary before or I do not attend the interview.

ILW wrote: »

Performanced based pay.

AP007 wrote: »

Never heard of any job based on performance

ILW wrote: »

Sorry, don't know what you mean.

I don't know why you say you would turn a person down if they do not ask about salary at an interview.

You then say 'performance based' & I reply that I have never heard of a salary based on performance.

ILW

AP007 wrote: »

I don't know why you say you would turn a person down if they do not ask about salary at an interview.

You then say 'performance based' & I reply that I have never heard of a salary based on performance.

You have never heard of performance based pay?

You must have.