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Omg I have this same problem I literally walked away from two interviews this last week because I was scared I wouldn't know what to say. I try to go over the questions before my interview as well. One thing that's helped me is I tell myself that if it's meant for me to get the job then I'll get it. Put your faith and trust into some sort of higher power and let go of the control. I believe we need to have faith in something or someone other then ourselves or a lot of us will fail and be scared to try again. Good luck I'll be praying for you.
What type of job interviews are you involved in?
I hope you know that getting to the interview phase means they like you on paper. They just want to see how you would fit on their team and with particular scenarios they already know you would encounter. Take a calming breath and give yourself time to collect yourself before responding. I get nervous too, so I try to slow things down in my head and really connect to what they are asking. I also used AI to give me questions based on the job description, then gave my answers via voice to text. That helped me improve a lot. Perhaps that might work for you.
the best thing to do is practice with a friend the night before. take it seriously do a full mock interview. saying the information out loud helps more than you think. tell them why you're the best fit for the position vs stories. you're literally laying out your experience to them and why you fit the position, you know this stuff very well. Just remind yourself its not that deep, they wanna see how you interact and handle yourself under pressure. practice out loud by urself if u cant find anyone to help. you can do this.
I run mock interviews with Claude voice mode for this very reason. Load up the job description and any info on the company and have it interview you with likely questions.
Also, having been on the other side of the table, I may never forget a candidate asking for a moment or two to think about their answer to a question I asked. I didn’t fault them — in fact, I kind of appreciated it. Maybe I was an easy interview
Pure time waster of a question. The interviews which I nailed that part, I got the job. There are templates for that question and what stage of your career. Find one, insert your details. Ai can help with that one question or any interview and give feedback. Give it a shot.
Type into Google... How to answer "Tell me about yourself". Same with AI platforms (ChatGPT, Claude, etc) just narrow down what field do you can get more specific information. Ai platforms can even do entire interviews with feedback.
I thought it was just me experiencing it. Try to be yourself and write the first letter of the sentence to remember what you have to say. I blew up 5 interviews already
your not alone, I also go blank. what do you say? if you don't mind me asking. my mouth goes so dry, its like i'v got cotton in my mouth, when i do talk i start by saying the strengths i have to do with my role. I do not apply for jobs i know nothing about lol, so just start with your strengths good luck, oh an if you don't get the job it was NOT for you, keep calm & carry on
I look at it this way, I already don't have the job, so there's nothing to lose in a job interview. AND I'm also interviewing them. It's a conversation between two (or more) people trying to decide if it's a good fit. You have to like them too. You know yourself. You can write. Also, every interview is an opportunity to practice. So you don't get the first or fifth job, but you can get better every time. Most interviewers ask the same questions... what's your biggest weakness (don't say, "I'm a perfectionist"), etc. Just look at them like rehearsals for future interviews. When I interview potential candidates, I want them to be comfortable, I want them to the "the one". I think that's a common outlook. They're not out to get you, they want to find reasons they should hire you.
Most of the time we aren't asking about your work history. We genuinely want to know about you. Relax, take a breath and tell us what makes YOU excited in life. Do you have kids you really enjoy spending time with after work? Are you an avid smoker (grilling not weed/cigarettes). Do you play a sport. Etc.
There's a GREAT YouTube channel all about interviewing. I don't know that I can post a URL here, but go to YouTube and search for "CareerVidz." The owner is Richard McMunn, a boisterous Brit who speaks with his hands. (I've wondered if he could say anything at all if his hands were tied together.) He has >2500 SHORT videos on interviewing,. He tackles the tough ones and is a master at turning potential negatives (such as, "Tell me about a time you failed") into strong positives.
Think of it more as a conversation, where you’re talking about yourself. Go with the flow, and remember that these go both ways.
That’s what really works best for me is remembering that I’m also interviewing them, how I vibe with them, their answers and responses, etc. It gives me a little more feeling of power.
This is one of the hardest questions in the interview because it may feel like your "one-shot" to say it all. PLEASE DON'T. There are at least 4-5 more questions that the interviewer will ask to find out what they need.
Use this time to say something memorable.
This is the opening line to a potential long term relationship. There is no right or wrong answer. Unless you say too much.
Interviewers are often nervous too. Calm down.
Don't focus on memorizing a script. Be genuine.
Align your response to what the company is looking for.
It is helpful to read the company's mission statement and the job description for the role you're interviewing for. Pick out 2-3 things that stand out to you. Talk about yourself with regards to those key things.
Example: if the position is looking for ambitious customer service rep who demonstrates a business owner mindset and the company mission statement says: "we strive to be the best and meet customers where they are", FORMULATE 2-3 sentences that use those words.
An easy response:
"I'm a customer service expert. Making memorable buying experiences is my passion. I am in search of a working environment that encourages business-owner mindsets." STOP there.
If the interviewer wants to hear more, they will ask. It is not necessary (or advisable) to say things like:
"I'm a stay at home mom looking for remote work and this position would be perfect for me".
"I'm a part-time student looking for a job that will give me experience while I work on graduating this fall."
"I'm a veteran of the United States Army looking for work in the civilian space."
"I'm 18 years old and I will be graduating highschool and I'm looking for work to help my mom out with bills."
STOP divulging things about your personal life that have nothing to do with how well you can do the job! Unfortunately, there are biased interviewers who are looking for red-flags and will discriminate against you - even if they aren't conscious of their action.
Lastly, dress sharp, be early (gives you time to calm down) and smile when you speak. The worst an employer can do is tell you they've found a more qualified candidate. Remember that you are talking to a human who is probably just as worried about how they look and sound as you are. Tell yourself you got the job before you start. Practice answering general interview questions so that you hear yourself out loud. Don't try to sound "smart" be authentic. You are your biggest hurdle. Get over yourself and get hired. You got this!
Idk if it’s helpful but I have found a very good format:
- pick 3 pillars for your past experience that are relevant to this role.
- sort your past roles and achievements into these three. That way you talk about your exp in a way that’s relevant, coherent and proof-focused.
- make that 60% of your answer but say you’re happy to go deeper on any past role if they’re interested.
- dedicate the remaining 40% to the company. As in, that was about my past, here’s why I am here. And talk about the things that interest you about the role.
- Make it 90sec max
This format helps me stay focused, is easy to memorize and hard to ramble about.
I have the same problem every single time I .
I once had an Interview with a company in Glenrothes, and they were not interested in a single word I had to say, I was more than able to do the job with 40 years in engineering under my belt
I hate these questions - because you may be revealing info that is very personal, and then not get a job! So I would say, keep it generic and basic to perhaps ease that discomfort.
I usually say I like reading thrillers, listening to all kinds of music at live gigs and travel. I leave it broad, and not too specific.
I hope this helps!
Find a local Toastmasters club, one that meets in person. Lean in, hard. They teach multiple facets of public speaking and it helps in exactly the type of circumstances you mentioned. Having that skill is like a superpower, you learn to pause, consider your response, speak more at ease, naturally.
Yup I do the same ,draw a complete blank or over explain job gaps and I come off as a complete idiot
Constant repeated role play and practice is what has helped me. It’s not comfortable for many but it teaches your nervous system u can do it.the more u practice the more your body and your fight/flight mechanism learns u are safe.
practice practice practice…with someone u trust and can have fun with not just in your own head
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Have you tried a Beta Blocker? You are suffering from performance anxiety. I have it as well. A beta blocker like propranolol will help with the physical symptoms of fight or flight like sweaty palms, racing heart etc. It seems like you prepare for interviews, so if you remove the physical symptoms you are having, you may be able to think more clearly. Also, you could do a practice run with a friend, spouse etc. That could help. Good luck to you, I completely understand what you are going through!
That whole "so tell me about yourself" is probably the most common question that they ask. I believe that they are looking for an answer that speaks to the position.
I have a cheat sheet of common questions (you can find one online) and I create answers to each of these questions based on the job description. They are looking for relevance between what they need and what it looks like you can bring on paper - they want validation.
I always have example situations in my notes too...
I still struggle with rambling, so writing answers to rehearse helps me..
I wish you good luck, from one job seeker to another!
Actually I ace my interviews, I'm bubbly and love talking and enjoy meeting new people so I've had no problems with interviews...however my online applications those are what screw me up with jobs, first I don't have a phone and I don't want one, I have a land phone and I have a tablet..but man if you don't have a mobile phone for certain jobs the online application refuses to let you move forward. And I've heard there's software which companies, employers use that pick put certain things in your resume and whatever it is you either get the interview or not. It's stupid because that software, program whatever it is can't tell if the person is nice, happy, kind, funny, a hard worker, gets along well with everyone , has high moral standards, loves people, is very accommodating, looks nice is clean psst that describes me to a T. And too funny I've applied numerous times over years to certain companies and they never give me the interview, it's bizarre since I do have the attributes and experience they are looking for, well its their loss! Every job I've ever had I've been well liked, I'm a very good, kind employee.