Job Interview Disaster

[datto]

You can have the job you always wanted!

5th just a short video to help you next time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4rSZP0nNCc

(language may be offensive to some viewers, don't watch if easily offended)

 

[mrdobalina]

I remember my first ever interview, it was for vacation work during uni, which was compulsory.
The interview asked me at the end: so what can you do for the company?
Me: it's not what I can do for you, it's what you can do for me!

Can't believe I was surprised when I didn't get the role lol

 

[S.T]

I think of them like dates, more you go on the easier they get! Be comfortable, crack some jokes, talk some rubbish but just leave out going for the big pash at the end.

 

[INVSTOR]

I remember my first ever interview, it was for vacation work during uni, which was compulsory.
The interview asked me at the end: so what can you do for the company?
Me: it's not what I can do for you, it's what you can do for me!

Can't believe I was surprised when I didn't get the role lol

Ha-ha! Not the best thing to say!

I've been asked really stupid things in interviews like, "Do you have a boyfriend?" from a greying, balding man with 5 daughters and still got the job, and kept my distance! - So silly questions can go both ways!
'The interviewer is just a person'. If you can get your head around that concept it should help.

 

[The Y-man]

I worked in HR for some time and never minded nervous - unless it is for a sales position in which case I expect the candidate to conquer performance anxiety very quickly.

Absolutely agree.

We'll often discuss after interviewing candidates (we interview with the role's manager, a technical peer and an HR person - so that's a pretty formidable panel the candidate faces) - and if we think the candidate really had a hard time due to nervousness, but still showed some potential, we'd call them back in for a second interview - perhaps just a phone "follow up questions" with the technical peer.

Personally for the positions I interview for (IT support), I prefer to see a bit of nervousness to outright "all talk, no substance" (which seems rather common these days - probably from interview coaching etc).

As per Heinz, we've had some doozies....

Interview booked for 10:00am

10:10am: Candidate calls: "Sorry, running late, stuck in traffic" (nice of you to keep us waiting 10 minutes)

10:20am: "Sorry, this traffic is really bad"

10:40am: "Look let's meet another day, I just don't have time...."

Epic Fail.....

The Y-man

 

[vbplease]

For mild anxiety vit b tablets and/or magnesium tablets could help. I get the upset stomach and nervous tension before sporting races and the tablets work quite well for me.

A laugh at the start of the interview works wonders for breaking the ice.

For more serious anxiety a chat with a dr who can direct you to a specialist might be needed. They could delve into the cause (past trauma?), triggers, and coping mechanisms.

I'm interested to know how suitable you think you are for the position? If you know you're qualified and have the experience, confidence should come a lot easier.. If you're applying for a job you think you're out of your depth in, this may compound the anxiety?

 

[VYBerlinaV8]

I remember my first ever interview, it was for vacation work during uni, which was compulsory.
The interview asked me at the end: so what can you do for the company?
Me: it's not what I can do for you, it's what you can do for me!

Can't believe I was surprised when I didn't get the role lol

My sister-in-law's first professional interview after graduating with a BSc.

Them: "Why do you want this job?"
Her: "I need a stepping stone to something better."

No, she did not get the role.

 

[LoneWolf]

I find that practising in front of a mirror helps.

Look into your eyes and rehearse, you can then make judgement whether you are convincing enough

 

[Tigger]

I agree that interviews are high stress but nothing wrong with seeing a Dr.

I had a prescription for Valium at one time, which we tested by me taking a half tablet and recording reactions over the next 6 hours. It was great and so I used a half tablet whenever I went into stressful situations. What it did was cut the feedback loop - I felt anxious but did not get the physical symptoms of anxiety and without them the anxious feelings did not escalate. It was like watching myself - I felt anxious in my head but my body could still function normally. Wonderful. But I only used Valium for one-off stressful situations.

I'm on Zoloft (lowest dose) daily now for anxiety and it has worked wonders. I was very reluctant at first to go on it but after the 1st day was happy to stay on it for the required 6 months. I came off it after 6 months - for about 4 days, at which point my OH told me to go back on it.

 

[devank]

I have been on interview panels as a 'technical peer'- I was as nervous as candidates! My manager also admitted that she was also nervous. So it is both ways.

I'm hunting for jobs now. Whole interview becomes easier if I smile and crack a light joke early. We all tend to laugh a bit more in these situations.

Like vbplease I also get the upset stomach before anything important. Eg: Tennis tournament, presentation, interview etc. Having a coffee (with milk) and going to toilet has been my solution.

Recently, I was going for a job in a major bank. I didn't keep that as secret with my friends. Many people gave me grate insights. I knew all about the team members. More importantly I knew issues they faced. It all helped at the interview. When they asked if I had any questions, I started talking about few issues they have like I was thinking about them myself. Job agent said that I received the best feedback from the manager but I was up against something I don't have. They selected 2 females for the 2nd interview

 

[Aaron Sice]

I remember my first ever interview, it was for vacation work during uni, which was compulsory.
The interview asked me at the end: so what can you do for the company?
Me: it's not what I can do for you, it's what you can do for me!

Can't believe I was surprised when I didn't get the role lol

we have a winner!

 

[Fifth]

Thanks for all the replies.

What is most crushing about my performance is that I am extremely familiar with the organisation (have worked with them) and have the relevant skills, qualifications and experience. I felt like I should have done much better. It's not a high level job, low by many people's standards.

I genuinely felt I was the 'right' person for the job, but was unable to convey that to the interviewer. I was answering questions I had prepared for, yet the words were coming out all wrong. I am not proud of a single response I gave.

The interviewer said she would let me know today (though I expect to maybe wait a few days). A small part of me thinks/hopes I may still get the job, but I think it's more likely I won't.

Anyway, I'm ready to dust myself off and will spend this week applying for jobs and preparing for interviews. I am fairly certain that I'll do better on the next interview. Like many posters have said, every interview is a practice lesson.

I agree that preparation is crucial and though I felt like I was well prepared, in retrospect, I could have prepared a lot better and will do so from now on.

For those who mentioned speaking to a doctor and perhaps taking medication, the anxiety is something I would rather overcome 'on my own'. I would rather build my confidence without a crutch, even if that means repeated exposure to failure until I no longer fear it.

Meditation is something that I am open to and will look into.

Lots of thoughtful replies and thanks to everyone who took the time. I think I liked Heinz's corny advice the most:

The best advice I ever received, corny though it is, is to be yourself. Do you want to work for a company that hires the fake you, or the real you, nerves and all?

Acknowledge that the situation makes you uncomfortable, and deal with it. Also practice makes perfect. Go for lots of interviews and you will get better.

 

[Newbieatlife]

Anyway, I'm ready to dust myself off and will spend this week applying for jobs and preparing for interviews. I am fairly certain that I'll do better on the next interview. Like many posters have said, every interview is a practice lesson.:

This is the attitude you should be going in interviews with, not after.

Like most things in life, when you don't care about failing, you find success come more often

 

[Andrew_A]

Completely choked. Nervous. Questions answered poorly, incoherently and sometimes even incorrectly. Hours later, still feel like vomiting.

I don't know how other people do these things. I mean, be a successful, confident human being capable of speaking to unfamiliars in a clear and concise manner without resorting to a whisper, wringing hands, taking deep breaths or otherwise humiliating oneself.

I practised, rehearsed, envisaged it, wanted it more than anything then... failed.

How do people do it?

I think practice. Certainly natural talent will help but I know practice can make up for that to almost any extent.

Toastmasters, give them a try!