<p>OK…
So, I hate to even ask a question like this, but lately I have found that I am getting more and more nervous during interviews, causing me not to think quickly and clearly. I am normally not a nervous person, and I would generally say that, if anything, I am a confident person. I have a solid resume, a decent GPA, and I know that I would be a good fit for some of these companies. The problem is that I want some of the jobs so badly that when I get in front of the recruiters in an interview, I am freezing up. This never used to happen, and I am slightly confused as to why it has started. In my last interview, my mouth got dry and my hands were even shaking a little. I fumbled answering some of the questions clearly I think, and haven’t heard anything back from the company, obviously. In other words, I feel like I am failing at showing the company who I really am. I have to break this cycle somehow and thus far it has only gotten worse. I used to be a semi-pro athlete and I know the normal techniques to calm nerves before a competition, yet they are not working. So, does anyone have any ideas that are outside of the normal recommendations?</p>
<p>shot of vodka beforehand</p>
<p>That, and…</p>
<p>Dress like you want it, all the time. If you are not used to wearing a suit, putting one on can cause certain triggers to make you act different. I find that dressing a notch or two above my post helps me not only to act better on a daily basis but makes me comfortable in my skin when I go in.</p>
<p>Prepare. There are a lot of simple questions that you can prep for, obviously.</p>
<p>Go in with the prospect of having a conversation, not to wow or woo. You are interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you, and you should be as critical about them as they are about you. This can help overcome nerves, because you are looking for the right fit not just a fit, and you never can really tell that until you talk to them. I can’t stress this point enough. If you are bad a small talk find a way to fix that, go to bars or other locations where talking to strangers is accepted and work on the chit-chat. </p>
<p>I’ve blown a lot of interviews. I’ve argued with the interviewer (they were wrong, viscosity issue) and told the hiring manager I can’t stand micromanagers right before he told me he was one. However, being true to yourself is the only way to make sure you will get into a company where you can thrive.</p>
<p>When they ask “why do you want to work here” I would reply with, “I haven’t decided that yet, but it appears to be an awesome company from the outside…” </p>
<p>Non-traditional, apart from the shot of whiskey?</p>
<p>Prepare a list of questions to ask them, and when they ask if you have any questions whip out the sheet; it looks good. And, knowing you are prepared will calm you.</p>
<p>Ask a question that is off wallish but can be used in the future; what’s you favorite food?</p>
<p>Basically, turn the tables on them. They aren’t interviewing you, you’re interviewing them.</p>
<p>HAHA, I like that.
I cant stand micromanagers either. And if only I could go in after a few shots
that would certainly solve the problem of nerves, but perhaps land me in jail or expelled from college. </p>
<p>I guess I have lost confidence in my perception of the situation. I think that perhaps lightening up a little bit would help. I think it is a juggling act between acting as though you really want the job and making sure that the employer knows that I am also not desperate for just any job. Lately, I have really wanted jobs with the last two companies, and I think that that lead me to get too nervous about the interviews Thinking that I need them to go perfectly, answering all of their questions with a textbook STAR (situation, task, action, result) format, it all blew me way out of my comfort zone and didnt allow me to be myself as I have been in the past. </p>
<p>I do have to say that the experiences have knocked me down a peg or two lol, and I am nervous about the next one already, in hopes of not having a repeat performance. I am expecting another interview this week, and it is with perhaps the company I am most interested in at this time. So, that makes me extra nervous!</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks for the advice thus far and keep it coming</p>
<p>It’s simple… practice— not just by yourself. See if your school’s career services office offers mock interviews. Talk to professors and see if they will do a quick mock interview. Videotape it if you could and watch yourself to see what you’re doing subconsciously that makes you look bad. </p>
<p>In regards to the following: “Ask a question that is off wallish but can be used in the future; what’s you favorite food?”</p>
<p>I would strongly recommend not doing that (unless you’re interviewing for a job in some creative field). If I was interviewing you and everything was going great and I ask you if you have any questions and you ask me something like that, you can guarantee you won’t be getting the job. It makes it seem like you didn’t do any research about the job/company, that you haven’t been paying attention, and that you just don’t care.</p>
<p>Be confident.</p>
<p>Be a little arrogant. </p>
<p>Be yourself, happy, offers will come… don’t force it. just be yourself and don’t over think it.</p>
<p>Definitely prepare, and practice beforehand with both friends and strangers.</p>
<p>Also to echo JPNguyen, definitely be a little arrogant. You should know that you are capable of this job and that you’re capable of answering any questions the interviewer asks you.</p>
<p>Be careful not to come off as a dick (e.g. be courteous, don’t be too defensive) and you should be fine. An interview isn’t the end of the world. </p>
<p>I would warn against preparing a sheet of questions to ask them and saying that they are not really your top choice at this point. You should have memorized concrete questions that show you know the industry and company a bit, and you should show them you’re hungry and know why you’re hungry for the job.</p>
<p>I never had the attitude of knowing I am capable of a job, but I was sure of being able to answer any question. </p>
<p>The biggest thing I do to have absolutely 0 nervousness is to treat the interview as if you are meeting a new person and are getting to know them. With that mindset, I have been able to avoid any nervousness.</p>
<p>would it be good to tell a firm they are your first choice, especially if they really are? or do you think your interviewers would see that as you trying to suck up to them?</p>
<p>I did it in one of my interviews. I felt I came across as really sincere. I was desperate, haha. I knew my competition was fierce :(.</p>
<p>did you end up getting an offer? i have a final round interview on thursday for my absolute first choice firm and i’m looking for anyyy advice that would help me out.</p>
<p>I just wanted to write back to everyone and say that I had an interview today with my top choice company, and it went great! I really just went into it with the attitude that it was just a conversation, and that really helped. I was nervous before I walked in, but when I sat down everything went smoothly, I was able to think clearly and quickly, and overall Im very pleased with it SO, thanks for everyones advice!</p>
<p>Send them a thank-you note mentioning something good that was bought up, and maybe hitting any points you feel you didn’t hit during the interview. Good luck!</p>
<p>meg - yes I did. Not quite sure how effective such a tactic is, but the firm I was interviewing for was my #1 and I knew I wanted to go there more than anywhere. The idea is that the firm does not want to hand out an offer to people who may be wavering. If they see and feel that they are your #1, they have more of a reason to choose you. At least thats what my mentor said :).</p>