Interviews, Brain Turns to Mush

oB1

I know 90% of people get nervous and under perform at interviews. its nearly expected. but most overcome it, or work around it.

I cant seem to be able to do that, recently.

I am a working professional of a few years now, so have experience and education, that's not the issue.

it seems as though when I go in for interview, my brain literally turns to mush and I loose the ability to think straight every few minutes.

I am prepared going in, knowing all about the company and have answers to potential questions all prepared from days before.

all that is lost in mere seconds as soon as i walk into the interview room.

it might be a simple question like " where are from, or tell us about yourself" and i answer with "ehh ummm hmmm" and stutter and stumble on my words. questions i know the exact answer too, and know how to do well, i still cant answer. its all in my head ready to come out, but it gets lost in the signal from my brain to my mouth.

i get really nervous and shaky, and its really obvious.


i have tried everything under the sun, that has been suggested, the usual, deep breaths and no coffee etc.. nothing seems to work, even if i mentally pump myself up.. it all goes wrong from the moment i walk in the door.

funny thing is, i used to be good at interviews, hence my current job!.. i work in a large corporate driven environment, with meetings and conf. calls on a daily basis. all goes well.

anyway... ranting over.. if anyone has any suggestions as to what i could do, its holding me back from getting my dream job i think!!

Have you tried practising with friends

Mr. Loverman

Yes, constant practice.

Do you get nervous when you make a cup of tea? No, 'cause you've done it a million times.

sillysocks

Before my last interview someone told me even if I didn't want to practise with friends to either just say the answers out loud to mysel or the mirror. I just used to make up questions when I was driving or at home doing nothing and then answer them myself out loud. It made such a difference. When I'd say things just in my head they'd sound so different, and it really helped tk actually hear the words and how I was phrasing them. Sounds a bit silly but definitely worked.

Bernanke KOs Trichet

A cup of tea is a fantastic comparison to a job interview.

Exact same pressure as facing a panel of interviewers.

I guess you were attempting to convey it's all in your psychological state of mind but perhaps a beer too many has clouded your thought process?

Mr. Loverman

Bernanke KOs Trichet wrote: »

A cup of tea is a fantastic comparison to a job interview.

Exact same pressure as facing a panel of interviewers.

I guess you were attempting to convey it's all in your psychological state of mind but perhaps a beer too many has clouded your thought process?

Not sure why you're being negative.

The point is you make tea so often you barely even think about it.

It's just like public speaking, do it often enough and all the fear disappears.

Bernanke KOs Trichet

Public speaking is a fair enough comparison but the repetition of making a cup of tea is hardly a great analogy when very few adults have any initial fear or any apprehension about making a cuppa.

jaffa20

I find rescue remedy good in these situations but it depends on the individual.

Mr. Loverman

Bernanke KOs Trichet wrote: »

Public speaking is a fair enough comparison but the repetition of making a cup of tea is hardly a great analogy when very few adults have any initial fear or any apprehension about making a cuppa.

Ask a child to boil a kettle and make a cup of tea. Watch to see how nervous they are.

You're not adding anything to this thread.

Magenta

bluewolf wrote: »

Have you tried practising with friends

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

Yes, constant practice.

Do you get nervous when you make a cup of tea? No, 'cause you've done it a million times.

I think that question was intended for the OP, not you.

gnf_ireland

I am wondering is it the other way around - is it a case that you are putting yourself under so much pressure because you expect to do well, that you cannot react to a question that is maybe even too simple for you and throws you completely

People (and teams) can be over coached. No difference to the All-Blacks at RWC's and their 'choker' characteristics, they have only won the RWC twice, both times playing at home. [Not having a go at the all-Blacks here by the way]

You seem to say you are Ok in your comfort zone - your daily role in your current job - but you have issues with interviews

Is it a case you know your current job because it is structured and you can control it, but struggle at an interview because you are not in control of the situation ?

Or maybe you struggle with the idea of having to sell yourself - feeling you are good at what you do and it is sub-consciously beneath yourself to have to justify it to someone else!


Lots of reasons to be honest, but I would not automatically assume it was lack of practice that causes it !

Either way OP, I do hope you beat it sooner rather than later !

Mr. Loverman

Magenta wrote: »

I think that question was intended for the OP, not you.

I didn't think it was meant for me.

Bruthal

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

Ask a child to boil a kettle and make a cup of tea. Watch to see how nervous they are.

You're not adding anything to this thread.

The tea analogy is total rubbish. The child thing makes it even worse.

Practice certainly helps. But of your job application depended on how nice the interviewer thought a cup of tea you made was, you might be more nervous making it then, than for yourself at home.

trihead

Go for interview coaching ... It will be worth the investment in the long run.

Mrs OBumble

RobertHopkins wrote: »

funny thing is, i used to be good at interviews, hence my current job!.. i work in a large corporate driven environment, with meetings and conf. calls on a daily basis. all goes well.

OP, based on this I think interview coaching would be a waste of time for you - you know what they teach.

I'd suggest you look at some personal counselling with someone like a psychotherapist, it's likely there are other things going on it your life that are causing this, and a professional is likely to be able to help you spot them quite quickly.

cloudatlas

From what you've said I think maybe a session of CBT might help you deal with your nerves.

Interview coaching focuses on delivery and planning answers and it seems like you are good at planning and forming your answers.

There is obviously an underlying problem that needs to be dealt with.

Now I want a cup of tea!

Gael23

Is interview coaching a good investment?

junipergreen

Gael23 wrote: »

Is interview coaching a good investment?

I went to an interview coach once - €90 for an hour - and all we managed to get through was the question 'tell me about yourself'. Did it make any difference? Not one bit. Granted that is just one person's experience and not a scientific study, but I definitely wouldn't go again.

Gael23

I've been quoted €150 for 2 hours. They video you too which I imagine helps.

William F

Gael23 wrote: »

I've been quoted €150 for 2 hours. They video you too which I imagine helps.

lol And?

Why don't you just practice at real interviews?

junipergreen

Gael23 wrote: »

I've been quoted €150 for 2 hours. They video you too which I imagine helps.

Well mine definitely didn't involve that! Think I'd have run away if they whipped out a camera. Cringe!