Interview Anxieties

Hello.

I'm feeling very anxious over my interview which is tomorrow. It's going to be my first job interview and I'm going crazy thinking about it. I've done a bit of research on how to stay calm and not over think it but that hasn't really worked for me yet, it never does. When I get anxious it's like being a passenger on board an out of control plane doing a nose dive. I've written out some questions that I might be asked during the interview and wrote down what my replies would be.

But then I thought what if these questions aren't even asked, and even if they were, my memory isn't good enough to remember what I answered here and now and I doubt I'll be as confident in person.

That's the problem with me I over think and over analyse everything and I don't know how to stop it. My sister has been kind enough to tell me of her own experience with job interviews and that's helped a bit but she is charming and funny and I am shy and quiet. I have no confidence and I suck at talking to people, I always have since I was able to talk.

What I want most is to come across as me in the interview, honest is the best policy, but not too much me that I'm weird or at worst have a meltdown or go into shutdown. If that happens then I can guarantee the interview will be over and I definitely won't get the job. I don't want to mask and come across as somebody I'm not. I can't mask for the rest of my life every time I go to work. I did this at school, it helped me get through the majority of my schooling life but the negative effects it had on my mental health have hit me hard since school and I'm still trying to deal with that now.

I want so badly for this interview to go well but I have a horrible feeling it's going to go badly.

Parents
  • I love that several people have already mentioned to take your time in answering. That’s the most important advice. Whenever a question comes up that I am not ready for I usually say something to the effect of: “That’s a great question. Let me think about that.” to buy a few moments to collect myself.

    One thing you can do to prepare is figure out what questions YOU have for the interviewers. Interviewers are always impressed when someone comes in with questions about the company. Usually they ask at the end of the session if you have any questions for them, and your answer should be YES.

    Here’s some examples of questions you could ask them:
    1. What do you like about this company?
    2. How many employees currently have similar positions to the one I am interviewing for?
    3. Are there opportunities to advance positions or grow in this business?
    4. What does training for this position look like?
    5. Does this company have good retention of employees?

    Don’t ask all of these questions lol. Just have one prepared. And if you take one of my examples I’d recommend #1.

    I hope it goes well, wishing you the very best!

Reply
  • I love that several people have already mentioned to take your time in answering. That’s the most important advice. Whenever a question comes up that I am not ready for I usually say something to the effect of: “That’s a great question. Let me think about that.” to buy a few moments to collect myself.

    One thing you can do to prepare is figure out what questions YOU have for the interviewers. Interviewers are always impressed when someone comes in with questions about the company. Usually they ask at the end of the session if you have any questions for them, and your answer should be YES.

    Here’s some examples of questions you could ask them:
    1. What do you like about this company?
    2. How many employees currently have similar positions to the one I am interviewing for?
    3. Are there opportunities to advance positions or grow in this business?
    4. What does training for this position look like?
    5. Does this company have good retention of employees?

    Don’t ask all of these questions lol. Just have one prepared. And if you take one of my examples I’d recommend #1.

    I hope it goes well, wishing you the very best!

Children
  • Hello. Thank you, this is very helpful and has given me food for thought on something I hadn't considered myself. Asking the interviewer questions. I didn't even think of that but you're right it's definitely something I should do. Had you not written this and they ask me that tomorrow I would have said no. So thank you, you have given me a lot here. I was thinking the #1 question as well. Slight smile Thank you for adding all five though, it gives me a lot to think about and work with.

    Thanks so much!!!