Any tips for interview nerves?

gavin777

I would say don't think too much about it until you're there! Just remember that the interviewer is a normal person who's just talking to you.

But prepare some obvious interview questions beforehand

And its perfectly ok in an interview situation if you want a minute to have a think about your answer!

roonaldo

i've had a gazillion of interviews. my tips-

-Always do some research on the company, they may ask what you know about them.
-Find out exactly where interview is, where to park etc
-Write down the questions you want to ask.
-Treat it as you are interviewing them too.
-Never ask about salary.
-Always be keen.
-Never slate anyone or make any kind of negative comment.
-Sell yourself, it needs to be you over the next person.
-Dress to impress.
-Dont be late.
-Make sure you go to loo beforehand.
-If the person is a real !!!! or they have unreasonable demands, then you dont want to work for them anyway.

falko89

Pont wrote: »

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!

Hi, the job was an entry level IT role, updating a department stores website with new stock, social media feeds etc. it wasn't rocket science.


Its a local store and its been open longer than me, I be in it every week usually, so I know all about them, I did however research their website, what it was coded in, what shopping cart they used etc etc. I think I was fairly well prepared.


I didn't however interview him,


Thanks for the post.

falko89

sillybilly2011 wrote: »

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).

I'm scared of meds to be honest, If there is a risk of suicide from them that's gonna be me, its always put me off.

falko89

Thanks for all the posts and advice


I had a missed call from said company today and.......


I didn't get the job, no big surprise there, what did surprise me was they actually told me I had been unsuccessful, usually you hear nothing.


I'll admit when I looked at the phone and saw the missed call I was already spending that first pay cheque in my mind, but hey ho that's the way it goes.

skibadee

falko89 wrote: »

Thanks for all the posts and advice


I had a missed call from said company today and.......


I didn't get the job, no big surprise there, what did surprise me was they actually told me I had been unsuccessful, usually you hear nothing.


I'll admit when I looked at the phone and saw the missed call I was already spending that first pay cheque in my mind, but hey ho that's the way it goes.

Commiserations to you.

I know how you feel re., Social Anxiety, I too suffer from this along with depression. I've recently moved from a job I worked in for 19 years (was my comfort zone ) due to hours becoming inconsistent, to a new job
I wasn't too nervous at my interview, but after being offered the position/handing in my notice, I have been suffering from extreme anxiety attacks.....I started the new job 3 days ago and my anxiety is sky high.....plus I think I made a mistake in taking this position.

I hate suffering with anxiety and depression, it rules and ruins my life.....I even take medication daily.....but when my anxiety is at its worst, as it is now, even that doesn't help.

I too would like to know how the hell to over come this problem

falko89

skibadee wrote: »

Commiserations to you.

I know how you feel re., Social Anxiety, I too suffer from this along with depression. I've recently moved from a job I worked in for 19 years (was my comfort zone ) due to hours becoming inconsistent, to a new job
I wasn't too nervous at my interview, but after being offered the position/handing in my notice, I have been suffering from extreme anxiety attacks.....I started the new job 3 days ago and my anxiety is sky high.....plus I think I made a mistake in taking this position.

I hate suffering with anxiety and depression, it rules and ruins my life.....I even take medication daily.....but when my anxiety is at its worst, as it is now, even that doesn't help.

I too would like to know how the hell to over come this problem

I don't think its something you can over come and cure, I think its just something we have to learn to live with, Its always gonna be there ready to raise its ugly head.

skibadee

falko89 wrote: »

I don't think its something you can over come and cure, I think its just something we have to learn to live with, Its always gonna be there ready to raise its ugly head.

Not damn easy to live with though is it, I don't think anyone can know how awful it is unless they have suffered/do suffer from this, its not just nerves, its like sheer panic, its awful.

I wish you luck in finding a job.