Interview technique - nerves

ska_lover

Good evening

I am currently job seeking, and haven't attended a formal interview in a good few years as have been with the same company

I get very nervous in interviews and I suffer with anxiety anyway

I prep as much as possible, then it all seems to go to pieces

Other than turning up, and looking the part /dressing appropriately - it all seems to go pete tong, from there

I guess I am asking for interview techniques and tips on how to impress - and make that good first impression

Any ideas, gratefully recieved

[Deleted User]

If you can tell a complete story in the STAR method, you are onto a winner.

Sometimes it is simply applicant numbers.

It isn't even career history that's bringing me down of late - dressing smartly, turn up on time, doing well in a role play and being approachable/flexible doesn't work if you get an interview that requires to be answered compentancy based. It feels very cold but compentancy based seems really in at the moment, few weeks ago I think I got an interview stopped early after doing everything right but struggling to answer question 1 of 4 dreaded competency questions. If I'm not in the right mind to answer it's pointless.

Another interview people turned up who had relatives and chums already working for the company (how can a company turn that down) and knowing they weren't wanting to pay a lot, couldn't see it going anywhere when a lot of people were trying for the 5 positions on offer.

Manxman_in_exile

Make eye contact (but don't stare in a scary way!). If more than one interviewer, make eye contact primarily with the person asking the question, but also look from time to time at the others - make sure they're included in your answer.


Don't talk too quickly - be deliberate and don't babble. (But don't talk too slowly either).


Answer the questions as best you can - don't just say what you may think they want to hear.


Be prepared to answer questions based on the job requirements eg "What have you done in your current job that demonstrates you can blah blah?" "If you were faced with this problem, how would you...?"


Don't pretend to be something you are not - you may get a job you don't want.


Try to relax beforehand and take your mind of the interview. (I used to run to exams, but not really practical for a job interview!)

jonnygee2

Don't overthink confidence. I've seen people trying to feign overconfidence and its always a bit forced. Also beware of too many 'interview techniques'. Anything you try to do that isn't natural will add to your 'cognitive load', give you more to think about and make you more stressed.

Instead try to think of it as a conversation rather than an interview. A bit like speed dating, you are trying to figure out if you are right for them and vice versa. Most interviewers are friendly people who just want to know more about you (and if they aren't then that's a very bad sign and that's not on you it's on them).

You don't need to aim to impress anyone. Just be honest and explain your skills and experience, if you do this accurately and calmly then they can decide if you are the best person for the job. You might be, or there might be someone better.

tacpot12

Turning up and dressing the part are two vital steps, if you are getting those two right, you are already likely to have made a good impression.

jonnnygee2 is right about not trying to appear confident when you are not. It's reasonable to be nervous, and a good interviewer will get to know you whether you are a nervous or not. Some interviewers are not very good; perhaps because they haven't been trained well, or because they are just out of practice. You can't guarantee any interview will go well, so relax, assume it is going to be a bit random, and enjoy the opportunity to discuss what the role might offer you.

Have about four good questions ready to ask the interviewer - have these written down and don't be afraid to consult this list at the end of the interview. One of these questions should be "When can I expect to hear whether I have been successful?" The other questions should the important questions to help you decide if you want to the job. If the interviewer has answered all the questions, you can just say "Thank you, you have actually answered all the questions I had" and smile.

NeilCr

Good advice from Manxman and johnnygee

I'd add take a breath and a moment to think before answering. I've done a lot of interviewing over the years and have seen many candidates answer too quickly and then get lost and start babbling because they haven't thought it through.

SadieO

Prepare some examples you could use if you get situational questions (eg "tell me about a time you had to think on your feet", "tell me about a time you had to work as part of a team" etc). Go through the job spec and think about examples that can show how you meet their criteria.

Think of a good answer to the question "why did you apply for this job"/"why do you want to work as a X" [especially if it is different to your previous jobs]/"why do you want to leave your current job" etc. I once gave a job to someone who had absolutely no direct experience in the job for which he was applying, but had obviously prepared very well and gave an excellent answer explaining why he wanted to change industries and the ways in which his previous skills were transferable to the new job.

As other have said, don't worry about being nervous - it is very natural to have nerves at an interview. When offering me my current job my boss commented that they could tell I was nervous but they were impressed that it hadn't stopped me. (And obviously it didn't stop them from giving me the job!)

Do you have anyone you could do a practice interview with?

Smodlet

Absolutely, to follow on from the last post, practice all you can, ska lover. I have come across many of your posts and you are always articulate, considered and helpful to total strangers. You have great communication skills! You can find a way to let them out in an interview situation just as well as you do on here; I know it, you know it.

Role play/practice interviews are really good, I think, for managing those nerves. You cannot rehearse for an interview but certainly can prepare. The more practice you do, the more natural it will feel when you enter that room, look those lovely people in the eyes, shake their hands and let them know they have found the best candidate for the job. You got this.

Rooting for you and, if you really have no-one to help you practice, other people have done so on here. You can have all the time you need to think about your responses. If that sounds like a daft idea, there are tutorials on line, e.g. this.

ska_lover

Smodlet wrote: »

Absolutely, to follow on from the last post, practice all you can, ska lover. I have come across many of your posts and you are always articulate, considered and helpful to total strangers. You have great communication skills! You can find a way to let them out in an interview situation just as well as you do on here; I know it, you know it.

Role play/practice interviews are really good, I think, for managing those nerves. You cannot rehearse for an interview but certainly can prepare. The more practice you do, the more natural it will feel when you enter that room, look those lovely people in the eyes, shake their hands and let them know they have found the best candidate for the job. You got this.

Rooting for you and, if you really have no-one to help you practice, other people have done so on here. You can have all the time you need to think about your responses. If that sounds like a daft idea, there are tutorials on line, e.g. this.

Thank you Smodlet, that is very nice of you to say.

My main problem is a massive lack of confidence/nerves around new people on a face to face basis.

On paper, my transferable skills sound reasonable.

But I am a clumsy clutz when I am nervous around new people that I know are assessing me.

I appreciate the link, I am going to look at these, this morning

ska_lover

Oh my goodness

I am bowled over

I have been offered the job of my absolute dreams.

I cannot quite believe it. Over 400 applicants, and they picked silly old me, the kind of fool who turns up with a ladder in her tights

p00hsticks

ska_lover wrote: »

Oh my goodness

I am bowled over

I have been offered the job of my absolute dreams.

I cannot quite believe it. Over 400 applicants, and they picked silly old me, the kind of fool who turns up with a ladder in her tights

Congratulations!


I'm sure they'll have picked the best person for the job, ladder'n' all ......