Thread: Interviews

bah! I have interviews coming up too T__T kind of nervous.

The one tip I've been reading every where is be prepared and know the company well, which kind of helps with the nerves. I'm also practising answers to possible questions they might ask.

and that about all for tips I can think of. I've just been reading various career websites and tips that they give

good luck Zev!

I know you might hear this a lot, but just be yourself and don't focus on the fact that you're being interviewed. Treat it as a conversation and answer with a smile.

Originally Posted by Zev

I'm practicing my interviewing skills, because well I suck at interviewing. I get nervous and then I can't think or talk right. However I may have a couple of interviews coming up soon.

The last interview I did, they told me that it was the worst interview they had seen. I still got the job, but not because of my interview.

I asked my friends for some tips, but they were no help. They just told me to wear a low cut shirt and some other stuff that was funny but not appropriate.

Any of you have any good tips or tricks that have worked for you in the past? Or interview stories? How do you deal with nervousness?

the best way and probably the most effective in developing this skill is to engage yourself on a conversation to an individual that you haven't met before. make sure that person is capable of challenging your level of conversations in various topics, the harder the better. ya know, like talking to a politician. the point of this exercise is not only gather information but mainly it is the development of confidence, it is the key. this is how my father taught me the basics. i still remember when i was a 11, my father told me to be his representative to a private party. it was just me there, a kid surrounded by important adult and elderly mostly aristocratic people. since i'm my father's "representative", i have to represent my father. so i do the basic thing, i talk. of course i was afraid at first but every time i talk, i learn and develop my confidence and also my conversation skills. so, what has it got to do in an interview? interviewing is the same a having a conversation.

Now even as an 'excessively mature' person, I still have problems with interviews, as I simply don't like talking about myself. On the other hand, if we get into a field that I know backwards and forwards, (I am a specialist in a specialty field after all...) I have no problems what so ever...

So you can take this as a hint. In a interview, concentrate on what you know and what your good at, and this makes things a lot easier...

I recently did an interview for an internship (which I got), so I know the whole nervous thing. Best remedy for nervousness: preparation.

When I was preparing I sat down and analyzed myself from an objective point of view: what was I going to say my weaknesses were, and my strengths. What *did* I have to offer them as an employee? What are my goals, where would I like to be, how do I handle myself in a group and when alone, these are the big questions they always ask.

Even if you don't have an answer for those questions that satisfy you, have an answer for those questions. I'm not saying you should lie per say, just don't freeze up when they ask the tough questions. Anticipate the big questions and have an answer for them.

Another big thing: research the company. Know who they are, what they do, and know a little of how they're fairing in their respective market. The more you know about them, the better.

Most important: confidence. My grandfather told me before the interview you have to act as though you're doing them a favor by working for the company, you have to make yourself look like an asset. Now I hate talking about myself as much as anybody, but you kind of have to throw modesty out the window when you're trying to sell yourself. Be confident, but not arrogant. Empathize your strengths and what makes you better than other applicants, even if you have to exaggerate them. Practice in front of a mirror, practice with other people, or do what rematche said, get a person you don't really know to ask those big questions and just practice your responses. Role-play definitely never hurts, and you'll have less butterflies when you're interviewing.

One way to show confidence and initiative: come with your own questions for the interviewer. I asked the typical questions like my wage, the hours, etc., but I also asked what they would do to make sure I'm a useful employee: what training do they offer? Do they facilitate a positive environment that promotes teamwork? Are they at least going to put forth some effort in trying to make me feel I do matter? See what their answers are, they'll be impressed that you have questions like that. And if their answers are shallow, maybe you don't want to work them afterall, I mean money is important, but if they're going to treat you like shit even in the interview, why waste your time with them?

That's the best advice I can give you. Get as much info as you can, dress professionally, go in there serious. You want this job, you have to act like it.