Extreme interviewing anxiety

[Pastore]

I have had 2 major interviews now (Sate Farm Insurance/Corning Inc.), both as a software developer. These interviews were just for summer internship postions, but my anxiety has been unbearable for them. Everyone tells me that the more I do, the better I'll become at them, but it's just not happening. I get so nervous I stumble over my words, forget easy programming concepts, and forget my practiced responses to regular interviewing questions. I prepare for them for weeks before, but I always mess them up.

I have another round of interviews coming up for various companies in the area. I am just wondering if you have any tips that I can't find in 5 seconds on google. Thanks

 

[iamme]

does your school have career center type places?

they often have mock interview sessions. that might be a good place to practice.

 

[iamwiz82]

Perhaps preperation is your problem? If I prepare something, it ends up being a jumbled mess. But, if I shoot from the hip, it seems to work much, much better

 

[new2AMD]

sorry to hear that. I am the same way and I tell you it does get better as you do more and get older. But that takes a lot of time. I knew a guy whos Dr. prescribed him these anxiety pills. I dont know if they work but you can certainly ask your doc.

 

[MrChad]

You choke the chicken before any big interview don't you? Tell me you spank the monkey before any big interview. Oh my God he doesn't flood the dolphin before a big interview. Are you crazy? That's like going out there with a loaded gun! Of course that's why you're nervous.

 

[Queasy]

I'd go with the mock interview sessions if your school has them. That or show up naked to make them as nervous as you.

 

[Looney]

Phenibut is a legal way of reducing anxiety. Phenibut was discovered by the Russians, and is used there as an anti-anxiety and such (it's a benzodiazepine). It's currently legal, and can be bought over the internet easily. It's not addictive, but you do build a tolerant up fast for it... which is probably why you can't get addicted to it.

If you buy it, try buying it from www.bulknutrition.com .... don't by Gabatrophin or whatever it's called... it's the exact same thing, except about 10x as expensive.

 

[Looney]

Another good substance is GHB... too bad the media and some assholes made it into a date rape drug.

 

[ghostman]

I had an interview with a big company last year. I didn't think there was any chance that I'd get the job, so I didn't sweat it. I figured, okay, I'll use it as practice. It turned out to be my best interview yet (I had several in the last few weeks) and got a callback. Still thinking there was no chance, I went to the second interview without worrying. A week later, I was offered the job.

That's not to say that I breezed through it without any prep work. I had prepped so much for my other interviews that i practically had a routine. The things just came to mind easier when I stopped thinking of it as a life and death issue.

And take your time to think about your responses. When the interviewer asks you for a scenario regarding so-and-so, sit quiet and think about it for a few seconds first. A quick response won't prove anything other than the fact that you've been rehearsing.

Like someone else said above, i'd also check out phenibut - http://phenibut.org

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Perhaps preperation is your problem? If I prepare something, it ends up being a jumbled mess. But, if I shoot from the hip, it seems to work much, much better

Same here.

 

[ITJunkie]

Originally posted by: MrChad
You choke the chicken before any big interview don't you? Tell me you spank the monkey before any big interview. Oh my God he doesn't flood the dolphin before a big interview. Are you crazy? That's like going out there with a loaded gun! Of course that's why you're nervous.

:laugh:

 

[DT4K]

Do you get extreme anxiety in other situations or is it just interviews?
I also get very nervous. But not just for interviews. I get anxiety in any situation where I feel like people are going to be judging me. The only thing I can tell you that has helped me is really trying to convince myself that I don't give a sh$t what anyone thinks and that I don't care if I get the job or not. When you don't care if you get the job, you are much less likely to be worried and nervous about your performance.

One technique I use to keep me from worrying too much works like this:
Think about the worst thing that will happen.
Think about what you will do if that thing does in fact happen.
There, now you have a plan and you are prepared for the worst outcome.
Now you know that the outcome will be equal to or better than what you are already prepared for.

So just tell yourself that it doesn't matter if you do well in the interview. If you don't, you will just go on and try another one.

If none of this helps, or if you have extreme anxiety in other situations as well, you may want to talk to your doctor and explore other options.

 

[edro]

You need to think of the person as a friend... Try to block out all the other crap like this job changing the course of your life and stuff like that Just imagine you are just talking to a friend and it's no big deal.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: ghostman
I had an interview with a big company last year. I didn't think there was any chance that I'd get the job, so I didn't sweat it. I figured, okay, I'll use it as practice. It turned out to be my best interview yet (I had several in the last few weeks) and got a callback. Still thinking there was no chance, I went to the second interview without worrying. A week later, I was offered the job.

I have an interview coming up in a couple weeks. I really don't think I'm going to want this job. A little different than your example, but it has the same result. I'm not nervous about it. It's like I'm in the driver's seat. Rather than me trying to convince the company that I'm good enough, they will have to convice me that they are good enough.

Even if you really do want the job, the best thing you can do is convince yourself that you don't really care if you get it or not.

 

[mrrman]

I dont mind interviews at all, usually ends up that I am the one asking the questions. I just hate it when they give you a test...thats my beef

 

[rh71]

all mental... do more practice at home too... that really is the only solution.

For me, my hands get sweaty because I'm thinking to myself I better have dry hands when I finally meet and shake hands with them... and wouldn't you know it... they get sweaty. The few times I never thought about it or forgot about it, I had greeted with dry hands. :thumbsup:

 

[Queasy]

Remember what Stuart Smalley said after panicking one time - "That's okay . . . because it's my panic, and I own it."

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

Just lean back a bit and relax. If you have to pause for a few seconds to collect your thoughts before speaking, do so. A couple seconds of silence is much better than saying the wrong thing.

 

[clamum]

Originally posted by: Hardcore
Another good substance is GHB... too bad the media and some assholes made it into a date rape drug.

Heh :thumbsup: