I wasn't looking for it but, as often happens to me, I was approached by an organisation who asked me to throw my hat in the ring for a specific role that my skill-set covers and while I was not keen on throwing my hat anywhere (I like my Akubra so don't throw it around) I decided to check it out so accepted the interview that was offered.
I was telling a friend about having gone to the interview and she was like, why do you put yourself through that stress?
She doesn't like interviewing and always feels anxious and nervous. It's a good question and has an equally good answer I think. I went to check the opportunity, if one doesn't look over over the fence one never knows what might be over there and it could be a super-good thing right? It also shows respect to the person who put their reputation on the line to recommend me, and it keeps my interview skills sharp. I think those are good reasons.
I tend to interview well mostly. I mean, I've interviewed badly but that's only when the interviewer is unprepared or inept at getting the most from it; if someone is interviewing a candidate to possibly on-board them to the organisation wouldn't they want to work on getting the best out of that potential employee? It seems counter productive to do otherwise...in fact, I know it's counter productive. Anyway, I interviewed well and walked away after close to two hours feeling good about it.
I have a few techniques when I interview like *be myself, focus on feature/benefit meaning don't just say something, verbalise with examples of how that feature/skill/attribute will benefit the organisation, ask valid and intelligent questions and read the tone, mood and body language of the interviewer. Simple stuff really. There's loads more as well, but that's a few I think are pretty key.
I was chatting with the friend I mentioned above about this and she had a few little things she does as well, although most of hers revolve around managing her stress which I don't often have to do in interviews...so right now I'm wondering what tips you may have or techniques you use that help you interview well and present yourself as good option for the employer. What we do in the interview will make or break the deal and getting it right isn't luck, it takes effort, planning and skill.
Feel free to comment below if you wish.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
[Original and AI free]
Image(s) in this post are my own
I'm afraid I have to side with your friend on this one. I dislike interviews immensely, and not only that....I really suck at them, both the interviewer and interviewee. Judging people and being judged in return are things that make me cringe. I am actually glad that I am no longer in the work force for that reason alone.
I understand, and I think a lot of people feel the same. I'd not say I like interviews but I've done enough to have been able to get over my dislike for them. A lot of it comes down to the person/people conducting the interview as I alluded to above. If they don't work towards getting the best out of the interviewew it can go terribly badly; making them feel comfortable is an important part of that.
Shy and reserved for the most part, I have a 'nothing to lose' attitude to interviews which in the past has given me confidence and helped me relax.
That's a good way to go, it means (usually) that a person interviews better; holding on too tight shows.
I am horrible at interviewing, but I can appreciate the benefit of doing stuff like this just to keep your skills sharp. If they do happen to offer you the job you can always turn it down. I probably should have done this more throughout my career. I only did it a couple of times and obviously, I am still where I always was :P
I was fortunate enough to have had someone tell me about this early on so I've interviewed a lot even at times when I didn't like it want the job, just for the experience. It's made me better at it and that's helped me secure the jobs AI really wanted more easily. I'm not expert, but walking in without the nerves allows me to concentrate more on the presentation, stay on track, present the feature/benefit thing more effectively and other things that they want to see.
I don't enjoy the process to be honest, but I'm pretty good at it.
It certainly sounds like it! Hopefully someone sees this and is able to help themselves.
I have been on both sides interviewer and interviewee, at first I was very nervous but practice and reassurance helps. It has also helped to be authentic, transparent, focus on the positive things and show genuine interest in the company or job.
Authentic is good, I think I mention that above as wellm
I have been through a number of interviews and I think I built some immunity on it, taking my time before I answer the questions thrown to me by the interviewer but I still get nervous. Just like flu, me having full immunity on interviews is just not possible.
How do you mitigate the nervousness?
I think of the possible questions that my interviewer will ask and answer them and repeat them a couple of times before the interview. I also make sure that I eat something before the interview and avoid anything that has caffeine.
Eating and avoiding caffeine is a good plan. I also like that you think about the possible questions they might ask, or points they might cover, as you can be more prepared.
I have never ever given any interview for any thing but still I could imagine the nervousness and the pressure in the mind. It kills all the self confidence.
Maybe someday.
Also, can you please stop making friend requests to me on Discord; I didn't accept the first, the second, the third or any of the subsequent requests. If you have any questions for me you can ask me in a comment on Hive.
Ohhh okayyy sorry for that.
Don't be sorry.
I don't know you and haven't interacted with you much at all so am disinclined to accept a friend request or do private messages on Discord. If you have any questions I'll answer them here; although I'm unlikely to answer personal questions. Feel free to ask though.
Hi @galenkp,I waited to see the responses out of curiosity and see what I could say. It's been decades since I've interviewed. It's been many years since I decided not to have a boss and to work for myself, assuming what that decision entailed. The closest thing to an interview I usually have are mere formalities. A company contacts me or I contact them and sell my services.
But I do remember my first interviews and I agree with many of the comments. Nerves got the best of me and it was not pleasant. I don't know if it would be different now.
Best regards.