Managing nerves

[OneLittleFish]

I've got a big job interview coming up later this week and like in exams, I've always let nerves get the better of me in interviews in the past. I know all the do's and don'ts for interviews and normally am good under pressure, but there's something about the interview situation that gets me.

This one is particularly important - it's in the city I want to move to, it's a great sounding job with good career prospects, good perks and as I say, would free me up to finally make the move I want to make.

I'm worried that rather than letting this motivate me in the interview it'll just make me worse - are there any good tried and tested methods that eFesters have? As I say, it's not usually something that affects me, but interviews have always been a real hurdle for me.

Thanks for any help in advance.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I've got a big job interview coming up later this week and like in exams, I've always let nerves get the better of me in interviews in the past. I know all the do's and don'ts for interviews and normally am good under pressure, but there's something about the interview situation that gets me.

This one is particularly important - it's in the city I want to move to, it's a great sounding job with good career prospects, good perks and as I say, would free me up to finally make the move I want to make.

I'm worried that rather than letting this motivate me in the interview it'll just make me worse - are there any good tried and tested methods that eFesters have? As I say, it's not usually something that affects me, but interviews have always been a real hurdle for me.

Thanks for any help in advance.

[OneLittleFish]

I always found just being honest and knowing about the company/job helps.

If it is any consolation at 9am I have to do a presentation about myself to the tutor group I will be with for the next 3 years. I registered last week, and I have yet to be myself. I am in a group of 25 with 2 blokes and the rest are 18/19 year old young women.

I have never been so scared in my life. I have just been sat in my 18 year old daughter for advice. I am a very confident 40 year old, but I am in a group of 18 year old females. I have seen and done alot in my life, and even been shot at, but I have never been so scared as I feel at this moment.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

All the best mate - hope this doesn't sound patronising as it's not the way it's intended but I always found you to be an instantly likeable guy - you'll do a good job

[jump]

I just leave me ipod on till the last moment I'm at reception to pysche myself up and then don't think of it as an interview and talk the same way you would talk to someone over the phone at work or a meeting.

[5co77ie]

Have a doob just beforehand it'll chill you out nicely.

[Guest musiclove123]

I have found that the anticipation of an event is always worse than the actual event. Make sure you are clued up on the company and find some recent information about it (through their website if they have one). Also try rescue remedy-its a natural plant solution that takes the edge of anxiety symptoms very nicely. They do it in sprays and 'sweet' form. You could try sucking on one lightly during your interview. Even if it has just a placebo effect on you it will be useful

Edited September 29, 2010 by musiclove123

[Ed209]

preparation, preparation, preparation.

It consumes time, but just make a list of every possible question they could ask you, and make sure you have an answer for all of them. I imagine deep down the nerves are because you're worried about freezing on an answer to a question. If what you want to say is drilled in your head then it will make you feel a hell of a lot better before you go in there. And then if you don't get the job, at least you know its not because you didn't prepare enough for it ... which is a git to live with.

[Pogues Mcgogues]

My last interview I was ecnouraged (as were all the applicants) to take time and think of the best answer before giving it.

I ended up pretending to for a few secs after each question and then made it seem as if I had a few in my head and plucked out the best one.

I dunno if this is a good thing to do for a higher level job right enough.

[jump]

@ onelittlefish is this your 1st interview for a career type job?

[swede]

Try Rescue Remedy, you can get it from Boots, its a natural remedy for nerves that you just spray on your tongue.

I got married earlier this year and was really nervous about my speech. A work collegue recommended rescue remedy, so I bought it and had a spray of it in the morning and a spray just before the speeches, my best man said he was actually more nervous throughout the day than I was. It really worked a treat.

[Josie's Cat]

When I got teh knock back I was told it was because I used the words "bloody" and "I am a fat twat". To be fair to them I probably would have sworn at the clients

[swede]

That made me laugh, sorry!

My bf knocked back shitloads of Rescue Remedy before one of his driving tests, he said it made him feel woozy but he still failed. Doh.

Good luck OneLittle Fish, I think rather than focusing on what the job would mean (new city/freedom etc) just focus on the questions and prepare - show them you know about their company and maybe about their competitors too, show you have looked at the bigger picture.

[gratedenini]

Try Rescue Remedy, you can get it from Boots, its a natural remedy for nerves that you just spray on your tongue.

I got married earlier this year and was really nervous about my speech. A work collegue recommended rescue remedy, so I bought it and had a spray of it in the morning and a spray just before the speeches, my best man said he was actually more nervous throughout the day than I was. It really worked a treat.

[OneLittleFish]

Absolutely. GET SOME. Believe in it---and it will work. Massive believer in Bach Flowers. If there was time, you could get a specific combination made up for "exam fever" ..but in terms of cost and time--- Rescue Remedy will do fine. About a fiver I think.

Good Luck

den

Edited September 29, 2010 by OneLittleFish

[gratedenini]

Bach Flower Testimonial: Our lass is a Bach Flower Practitioner.

One day I was putting in one of those washing poles--y`know that spin round and was walloping in the bottom section. To prevent damage to the sleeve when hammering (with a big f**k-off sledge hammer) I covered it with a building brick...

so, here I am trying to hold and swing a huge sledge hammer in one hand whilst balancing the building brick on top of the sleeve,with the other.

Yes, yes... disaster...

Down came the sledgehammer on me thumb

Fortunately, it was the very very tip...but I hit the sky in pain...and picture when you do...you always sort of hold it with the other hand and put it between yer legs yeah?

I`m screaming me head off and send the boy for Mam.... and waht does she turn up with?

A little f**kin bottle of summat (Bach Flowers).

I was in a bit of shock and could feel me thumb pumping like in the cartoons y`know.

She examines for breaks etc, then douses the thumb with the Bach Flowers and made up another potion (she said for the shock).

Well---bugger me---I was calling her worse than shite eh... but... it flippin worked.

I expected at least for the area to go all black n blue etc and swell up like stink...but it didnt and although it was obviously sore... it was nothing like it could have been.

Testimonial 2: Woman came in--- her cat was just a total ragg-pot (radge-pot)...couldn`t do nowt with it. I`m not exaggerating when I say it was just running round the walls of the consult room.

After getting all the factors and symptoms etc Whor Lass made up a potion.

Within 2 weeks the cat was a different animal..placid as yer like and no probs at all.

Really amazing those Bach Flowers... I`ve found they cant make any organs bigger mind...shame,shame!

den

[treacle]

Another vote for Rescue Remedy here.

Get a friend to ask you some of the expected questions and practice answering them out loud.

If doing a presentation stand at one side of the room and deliver it to someone before hand too.

You'll be great anyway. I've only met you a few times but would love to have you on my team. You alway come across as being steady honest and sincere. Good luck and let us know how it goes

[dakyras]

Drink some water and eat a banana. f**k this herbal medicine rubbish.

[gratedenini]

Drink some water and eat a banana. f**k this herbal medicine rubbish.

[dakyras]

Yes, when I hit me thumb... The Boy J said "Dad, dont worry..I`ll get yer a banana and a glass of water.... you`ll be ok"

I knocked 7 shades of shite out of him.

Remember that Bach Flowers aren`t medicines in the true sense of the word. Well, they aint herbs either so i presume you aren`t referring to BFs eh.

den

[LusciousLucy]

I had a job interview yesterday and despite thinking I was feeling ok and cool about it, I ended up spending most of the morning trying not to throw up, feeling sick to the stomach and the usual plenty of bathroom visits, oh and the stress cough that always manifests was back...

found the Rescue Remedy...wolfed down 2 syringes worth and in the end, what chilled me out was the nice calm drive with my friends who kindly took me direct to the place I was being interviewed.

Didnt get the job but tbh, once I had actually visited the site and had a good look round, seen a very quiet venue staffed by very bored looking team members and then met the 2 (instead of 3) interviewers, I realised the place wasn't right for me anyway. It was a job I could have more or less done with me eyes shut (having worked in the particular field for 7+ years) and the interview was pretty dull and uninspiring considering the job had a major emphasis on wanting to take on inspiring, enthusiastic and passionate people for the position. Meh to them...one door shuts and all that. The experience has actually got me understanding much better what I do want to do now and stepping backwards into jobs I am used to doing just to get to a city I want to move to isn't necessarily the best idea after all.

[dakyras]

I can't believe you people actually think Rescue Remedy is a genuine product.

It's a flower diluted in water and brandy. What's so f**king hard to understand? It's a con!

[brighteyes]

I've got a job interview on Wednesday, not nervous yet but sure I will be soon, my first interview for a couple of years. Having said that, I'm pretty confident I'll get the job. I'm ace.

[sadwitch]

I can't believe you people actually think Rescue Remedy is a genuine product.

It's a flower diluted in water and brandy. What's so f**king hard to understand? It's a con!

[gratedenini]

I can't believe you people actually think Rescue Remedy is a genuine product.

It's a flower diluted in water and brandy. What's so f**king hard to understand? It's a con!

Edited September 30, 2010 by gratedenini