I’m having problems with job interviews. Please help?

I’m having problems with job interviews. I have 10 years’ experience and a solid cv. I get invited to job interviews but I get extremely nervous. I come across as someone who is uncomfortable in social situations, I am unable to formulate my phrases as I would like to and I end up underselling myself. In reality, I am sociable and find it easy to make conversation with new people. When I’m in an interview, I feel a huge amount of pressure for them to like me and my cv and I feel like I am being judged. Will I ever find a new job? 

Firstly, take comfort that what you are experiencing is not unusual. The process of presenting yourself in interview is a challenging and stressful event; but you can increase your chances of success by following some helpful tips:

• Preparation is key – just as you would rehearse and prepare for the challenges you would face in a recital of music or academic exam, you should do the same prior to every interview you have planned. Not only will this enable you to put the odds in your favour of performing well on the day, it will also give you valuable confidence to conduct yourself in the most fitting way.

• Mindset is king – a positive and calm mindset will give you boundless advantage. You clearly have a good stretch of relevant proven experience, but you need to combine this knowledge with the demonstration of resilience and balance of personality. If you can treat an interview as a ‘structured conversation’ in which both parties are equal – this will give you a key phycological advantage. Treat every interview as a personal exploration – don’t just go prepared with a list of questions to ask at the end – try and build your curiosities into the discussion and strike conversation as a result – this will give you an edge.

• Confidence in interview can be gained by mitigating the risk of the unknown. There are multiple websites where you can find typical interview questions. Spend time to build your personal ‘competitive advantages’; what are your characteristics or traits that you can link to the successes in your career until now? Be clear in your mind about where you are going in your career, what is motivating you by this potential change of employer and how does this link into your career aspirations? Self-awareness is essential, and executed sincerely will impress your interviewer.

• Pro-tip – consider that most interviewers will not professionals in the HR field – they too will likely be a little anxious in the interview context!

Don’t be disillusioned if you have not yet been successful in your search. Remember the interview process is a structured game of confidence and personal presentation. Put yourself at the center of your own marketing campaign and you can become the most attractive prospect you can be.

Courtney Charlton

Greenfield Luxembourg