Why are job interviews so daunting?

[car]

I've always found that the trick is to realise that you are evaluating the company.

...

Take control of the interview. Put the interviewer at ease. Enjoy yourself!

That's some good advice right there.

Another good idea is *not* to just go for interviews for jobs you know you'll really, really want.

I was on the market for a new job recently and made the mistake of only applying for great jobs I knew I'd want. The upshot was that I went for three interviews (for great jobs I knew I'd want) with a knot in my gut because they were so damned important to me.

As expected, performance was not as desired -- too nervous, total block on technical questions, talking shit at 100 miles an hour.

Got the third (yay me) and it's a corker, but I still regret screwing up the interviews for the first two. So, if you have the luxury, get a couple of "practice" interviews in, sharpen up your technique, get used all those retarded "what three words would your friends use to describe you?" questions.

[BuFfY]

Thats half the problem I do get nervous etc and when I speak, I know what I'm saying but always have trouble expressing it in words and the interviewer looks at me strangly and makes me feel like an idiot....Which I know I'm not. I want tips on how to relax that part of the mind so then my words do come out clearly and my personality also shows.

Do mini role plays on it. I know... lame... but it does really work. That way you will learn to think on your feet and get the words out in a good order. Also that person will help you on points you could improve on. If you can't do it with anyone in person, ring someone.

I would think that if you were going for similar jobs they would ask you similar questions? So think about what they might ask you and have answers ready.
I would think having a beer etc would make you ramble more, so I would suggest having a nice cup of tea or something before hand

And I like the idea of getting to know the company first. I am going in for interviews at schools and they love it if you know something about the school. They also ask if we have any questions about them at the end of the interview, so having something interesting to ask is always a plus. Then they think you want to work for them, not just to pay the bills etc.

Good luck

[DMNTD:Me]

I've found myself interviewing them...seeing whether they are worthy of hiring me. Just be yourself...go with the flow and NEVER allow them "power" over you.
Never seen the point of stressing...it just stresses me out!

[The Pastor]

I agree with this, but change it slightly.. dont have one RIGHT before you go or they smell it on ya a bit.

yeah have it half an hour before hand, and then brush your teeth and suck some mints

[0arbreaka]

Have a big feed before hand, you probably wont feel like it if your nervous but It helps, if that fails then have a beer or wine instead. that will generally loosen you up enough. Ive fucked up an interview before and its not very nice, but I did learn from it.

[justsomeguy]

Hi Stickchick,

I work in recruitment, conduct and coach others for interviews for a living.

If you like I can call you or we could use some kind of online chat like MSN messenger, etc to talk through your interview.

Speaking on the phone is better as it more accurately simulates the actual situation but keeping in mind privacy issues it's your choice.

PM me your decision. I will be free for the next half hour or so.

Kind regards,
Ujwal

[ManDownUnder]

Does anyone have any tips for me that might relax my state of mind etc? I know I can do this job and that doesn't bother me, I don;t come across very confident at all and that is what does worry me.

Practice practice paractice... the more you do the better you get at it. Riding, sex and interviews all have that one rule in common (so do many others but I thought I'd just share my personal favourites alongside the interviews).

Remember this one thing - they are daunting from both sides of the fence. An employer is looking to spend thousands of dollars on a recruitment agency, and the law is against them (the employer). They're unable to ask the questions they really need to in order to make a sound longer term investment in an employee (yound lady such as yourself - are you married, do you plan to start a family etc... both of which can imply you'll be leaving them soon and their money is lost).

And once you're on board if you do anything wrong it's very very difficult to get rid of dead wood so they're nervous about that... and unless they're experienced employment type it's hard to really gauge the fit of a person into the org from a skills and personality perrspective all at the same time.

You're not alone in the nerves.

Prepare and be oragnised. Take 2 copies of your CV (not the bland Recruitment agency one that manages to make you look like every single other one they put forward - thereby actually reducing your chances of getting a job). Give one to them and keep the other on file for yourself so you have a copy of what you gave them

Jot down a list of questions you really need to know. Don't make shit up to sound good, but ask them about the size of the company and if it's been growing (i.e. job security for you if you sign up). What's their policy on training staff (gives you the chances to show them you're enthusiastic about learning/development - and might get you some free education)...

That kind of stuff.

Also - without hitting on you (too hard) use your personality. You're outgoing and good fun. Relax and go with the flow - rely on "you" doing part of the job too.

Hope that helped and good luck!

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Why do Job interviews have to be so daunting? I have no problems see a recruitment agent but when it comes to meeting the actual employer I go to pieces.

Does anyone have any tips for me that might relax my state of mind etc? I know I can do this job and that doesn't bother me, I don;t come across very confident at all and that is what does worry me.

I normally turn the cards round and ask the questions... Evaluating the company,

1. Why do I want to work for this company... not why the company wants me...
2. What can this company offer me... not what I can offer the company (though here it goes both ways)
3. Would you want to work for the person that is interviewing you... essentially your new boss
4. Believe it or not, the person conducting the interview is usually just as nervous
5. be yourself and relax... don't try and be someone/thing you are not...
6. Find out about the company behind. What they actually do... even down to there corporate colours
7. Find out the boss name
8. Prepare you CV so it points or highlights out the skills the job needs.
9. Prepare a list of questions you may have... and don't be affraid to ask them during the interview not just at the end when he asks do you have any questions.., ie starting wage/salary, hours, holidays, weekends, overtime, etc etc etc
10. Relax
11. Make sure you find out? what is the offical job title, job description, job requirements and your role would be, starting wage/salary, hours, holidays, weekends, overtime, advancements,

The worst the out come be for you is they say "Sorry but, No thanks..." the worst that the out come can be for them is "Sorry but, No thanks..." similar isn't

[MSTRS:Me]

To those that say 'Have fun' ... the approach needs to reflect the job...Accountant. Where's the fun in that?
Just be relaxed, SC - you might want the job, but you don't need it. There is a big difference.

[Stickchick]

To those that say 'Have fun' ... the approach needs to reflect the job...Accountant. Where's the fun in that?
Just be relaxed, SC - you might want the job, but you don't need it. There is a big difference.

Now, now I'm may not be qualified but I'm an assistant accountant and I can be fun!!!! Just jrandom

Thanks heaps for all your advice, I really appreciate it and funny enough has settled me quite a bit. I'm more nervous at the fact that its Auckland. Do you interview like you do in Wellington, I know full well you aren't as relaxed as the Hawkes Bay.

Justsomeguy...pm sent

[skelstar]

I convinced myself that I didn't want the job I have now (I didn't need it) and ended up ace-ing the interview. I was the best one by far cause I had nothing to lose and was confident.

[Hitcher]

Be yourself. After all that's who this organisation will be hiring. If you pretend to be someone or something else they'll find out soon enough.

And be honest, particularly with yourself. If you really want the job, tell them.

The interview is as much an opportunity for you to find out about your prospective new employer as it is for them to find out about you. Ask them about the things that you're interested in or need to know. If they offer you a job doesn't commit you to taking it. You always have options. Accept that and turn it to your advantage.

[Mrs Busa Pete]

A good interviewer will put you at ease as that's the best way they have to see what you're really like.
I interviewed a person on Friday who was really nervous at the start but half way through was so comfortable that she admitted that she'd told me something that she hadn't told her husband of 19 years. (No I won't tell either).

Well did she get the job.

I'm not much help there chick i went for a job interview once and i could not remember how to spell my name and it was a piss arse job that i could do with a blind fold on.

[Her_C4]

I agree with comments made earlier here – I have been interviewing people for over jobs for well over 20 years, with a wide range of seniority. As a prospective employer (of both contract and permanent staff) I very quickly sort out the chaff from the wheat in both short listing and final interviewing, and as a part of that I have taken on staff members that were TERRIBLE in the interview, but still managed to convey during interview that they had taken the time to prepare as well as their level of commitment and willingness to learn.

There is some really good advice in this thread. As stated earlier – relax and see it as you interviewing them about a job that you MAY want to take as well. You have a vested interest in ensuring that you have as much information as possible about the organisation, its key players, its vision, AND the role before you make a decision to take the role or not.

Remember that your life does not depend on any particular role and the worst they can do to you is by saying ‘no thanks’. Be honest and for goodness sake BE YOURSELF. Any Interviewer (and / or panel) worth their salt will see straight through anything that is false and unconvincing.

Regardless of your level of nervousness (and as mentioned previously in this thread), prepare. Dummy the interview setting before you go and get someone to practice asking you for examples as to why you meet the core competencies of the role. Jot those points down for reference.

Find out about the organisation, the role, where it sits within the organisation structure, why you want the role, for how long, where it is going, what support they have in place, induction, training, travel etc.

Take with you into the interview your CV, and some notes about key points as well as a number of relevant questions about the role AND the organisation. It is important to review the JD and have some examples jotted down to provide real examples of where you have experience in the core competencies. These can be key words or sentences, whatever you need to jog your memory.

At the commencement of the interview, ask the interview panel (or interviewer if there is just one), ask if they mind if you refer to your notes throughout the interview. Ask for a drink of water and have the glass next to you throughout the interview. LISTEN to the questions asked and to be sure that you have them in context, use active listening skills and repeat the question back to them. This does two things – shows that you are actually listening, and gives you time to think up a suitable response. If you find that you are stressed, ask if you can take a moment to collect your thoughts – better still take a slow sip of water.

Ask questions – take notes, don’t wait until the interview is finished before asking your questions, but be sure to hold one or two back.


Good luck

[klyong82]

I would research about the company before going into an interview. During an interview I like to ask performance and processes questions. Think about your strengths; how you can contribute to the company and how you deal with your weaknesses (don't say anything about weakness unless they ask you but it is good to have one thought up). Main thing is to be/act confident and pay attention (eg.nod your head) when they are talking or asking you questions. Take notes or scribble something. Would give them a good impression. All the best!!