Interview skills /eye contact at interviews

Hi,

I struggle a lot with anxiety during interviews* to the point of crying and being unable to make any eye contact at all. 

It's limiting my opportunities in life and I'd like to get to grips with it. I've read up on general interview/presentation skills  online, but wondered if anyone here has found some useful 'hacks'?

* GP and dental appts. too. Seems to be any situation where I really need or want something. 

Many thanks

  • If you're good with psychologically hacking yourself, I'd say just ....focus on your vision a lot, kinda barrel vision the interviewer (for lack of better words), and do not focus on your mind. If it doesn't make it difficult for you to communicate, try not guessing/wondering/thinking about what the interviewer is thinking. Don't read into their expressions or body language, shut your mind off to that. Only focus on when they seem interested, and what information they are guiding you to respond to in their questions (so you know what to say). Mostly focus on the job you are trying to get and the qualifications you need/ what the company looks for in people and think mostly about presenting yourself as the person they want. Think of who that is before the interview, if you want.

  • Yes, I wonder about how evidence based eye contact = truth really is too. 

  • Many, many years ago , and decades before I was diagnosed, I had a mock interview session with an occupational psychologist, behind one of those two way mirrors. I was told that I was not making eye contact, as well as exhibiting several other traits which I now know were because I am autistic. 

    A few years later, I was subjected to the same punishment.  Having adapted to the no eye contact thing, I was told I was staring.  I can make eye contact but it isnt genuine. I look through and beyond, I dont see their eyes at all.

    Many experts nowadays believe this eye contact thing as an indicator of truth is false, and someone making eye contact is more likely to be telling fibs. But this doesnt seem to have got to the job interviewers yet.