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
  • Hello,

    Some of you said to let you know how it went today. The interview was a disaster, my anxiety got the better of me and I really blew it. I was told I would find out by the end of today if I was successful and I found out just after lunch.

    Feeling very down right now.

    Thanks for helping me I appreciate it.

Reply
  • Hello,

    Some of you said to let you know how it went today. The interview was a disaster, my anxiety got the better of me and I really blew it. I was told I would find out by the end of today if I was successful and I found out just after lunch.

    Feeling very down right now.

    Thanks for helping me I appreciate it.

Children
  • Hi Princess, 

    I am sorry to hear that your interview didn't go well. I understand that you feel your anxiety got the better off you. It is a great achievement to have got an interview. Good luck with future applications. 

    We have information and advice on applying for a job, tips for interacting and coping at work, advice on dealing with bullying in the workplace and what the law says about your rights at work: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/employment 

    You can also find our free online ‘Finding Employment’ module on our website: https://www.autismonlinetraining.com/ 

    This module is designed to help autistic job seekers entering the job market understand their strengths and what next steps they could take towards gaining meaningful employment or work. 

    Evenbreak matches disabled job seekers with employers to build a diverse workforce. You can visit the Evenbreak website for listed job vacancies: https://www.evenbreak.co.uk/ 

    The British Association of Supported Employment has a database of supported employment agencies, so you can search for one in your local area: https://www.base-uk.org/home 

    Maximus offer a range of employability programmes throughout the UK, including, programmes for disabled people who are struggling to find work: https://www.maximusuk.co.uk/ 

    The National Autistic Society employment and volunteering opportunities are updated frequently. We particularly welcome applications from autistic people. 

    I hope this is helpful.

    Kind Regards,

    Rosie Mod

  • I’m really sorry your interview didn’t go well for you. We’ve all been there, trust me on that! But try not to get too disheartened, there’s always next time. I’m sorry your anxiety kicked in but truthfully that might have had nothing to do with why you didn’t get the job. Letting you know the same day suggests they had seen other people as well, so don’t be too hard on yourself.
    Remember that there will be other opportunities. Plenty of other jobs out there and you can use your experiences from this interview just gone for the next one. Keep smiling. Slight smile

  • I know it's not going to feel good right now and I'm sorry it wasn't a good experience. Try to remember though that that was your first ever interview. Just turning up is an achievement when anxiety is involved. I messed up my first few job interviews completely because I was too nervous and didn't really know what was expected of me. With time I got more used to them and got better at them and now I'm told I interview quite well. They are still tough and I still get very anxious but I can do it now. Give yourself time to recover but don't let it put you off trying again. Also remember that you can ask for reasonable adjustments to make it easier for you. 

  • Sorry to hear that, but that doesn’t make you any less great or well-suited for the job. Try again, fail again, fail better. 
    The good thing is that you now have a “worst-case-scenario” to hold onto. It might sound contradictory, but I found that this helps me with stopping the spiralling before similar events.

    Additionally, even if you can’t take anything from it, you can still be proud of yourself for doing it. You did something that scared you and that’s nothing short from amazing.

  • Perhaps another day - don;t be too hard on yourself, you often never know really why you were turned down, it's not always down to you

    Also - the interviews only go as good as the interviewer.

    So what I'm saying, is move on (I know easier to  say than do sometimes ,I do often ruminate over past work and social meetings) and hope you feel better soon

  • I'm sorry. Did you learn anything that may help in the future?

    What actually went wrong. Did you struggle to answer? Or just too scared of making a mistake?

  • Aw man, so sorry to hear that Princess. Don’t give up though; Not every interview will be a disaster. It took me a few tries to get the hang of keeping cool in an interview.