[Greenleaves]

I just got a call back from a place I submitted my resume to! I am getting laid off in June.

What are some interview tips?

I worry I make a bad impression because of my social anxiety.

I plan on taking a propranolol before my interview and wearing a suit.

[equive]

Something I do is try to role-play the interview before I go. Either just with myself back and forth, or with my sister or a friend. Think about the types of questions they will ask and how I will respond. Practice the answers. Practice smiling a lot. Then I feel less worried about how it will go.

[Greenleaves]

I have no one to practice with, is there anyone on PC I can phone and practice with? I need the anxiety factor. Or does anything know of a place that does mock interviews? I live in Ottawa.

[dearyou]

Mock interviews...there are probably different job resource business in the city that will do stuff like mock interviews and resume proofs and such, I wouldn't know the name of any of those places, but I know most of the cities I've lived in in Canada are littered with these kind of services, so a look through your phone book and what not might help. As for social anxiety, man, it sucks, I think I've found a few tricks though, laughing at yourself and being really silly and dramatic, comedian like gets you out of your shell and hey, remember, most people are anxious too. Try an improv or drama class if you can pop enough anti-anxiety meds or drink enough wine to get you out of the house

[BiscuitTin]

Originally Posted by dearyou

Mock interviews...there are probably different job resource business in the city that will do stuff like mock interviews and resume proofs and such, I wouldn't know the name of any of those places, but I know most of the cities I've lived in in Canada are littered with these kind of services, so a look through your phone book and what not might help. As for social anxiety, man, it sucks, I think I've found a few tricks though, laughing at yourself and being really silly and dramatic, comedian like gets you out of your shell and hey, remember, most people are anxious too. Try an improv or drama class if you can pop enough anti-anxiety meds or drink enough wine to get you out of the house

Preparation is a very good idea for SA people. I have SA myself.

Maybe write up all the questions you think will be asked and then be prepared for all of them. You might still get one or two unexpected questions, but the renewed confidence you get from being able to answer all of the others thoroughly should help you answer the ones you weren't expecting.

[splitimage]

First off remember job interviewing is really stressful, so everybody gets nervous, not just people with social anxiety.

I try to show up 10 minutes early for every interview and just practice deep breathing - I find that helps a lot.

One of the things I was told when I was job hunting last year was to have a bunch of STAR stories ready.

That stands for
Situation
Task
Action
Result

What was the situation the organization or you were in?
What task had to be performed?
What action did you take. Remember this is really important, talk about what your role was, not the team. Say I did, not we did.
What was the result - the more concrete the better. Did it save money? raise money? Save time? Improve teamwork?

Write out about 5 or 6 of these and memorize them until your comfortable talking about them. That way you'll have a supply of stories for those "Tell me about a time when" questions.

I used an interview coach who did mock interviews with me on videotape and gave me feedback. It was really worthwhile and helped me loads, after I did that I started getting called back for second interviews. I've e-mailed the outplacement consultant I worked with to see if she knows anyone who does this kind of thing in Ottawa. If she does I'll pm you.

Check out Monster.ca - they have lots of great interview tips on-line there.

The other reference that I've used in the past and really liked for ideas about how to go about answering questions is "What colour is your Parachute." Most bookstores will have it, or you can probably get it at your local library.

Definitely wear a suit and make sure you look nice. Maybe get a haircut a few days before - that always makes me feel more confident.

One other tip. If your hands get the least bit sweaty when you're nervous, mine do - arrive a few minutes early, and ask the receptionist to use the rest room. Run your hands under cold water for a few minutes.

Good luck.

---splitimage

[Beholden]

Hi SplitI...

Your answer to this post for Green... is terrific.

Hope it helps her/him.

Wish I had an "interview coach". But your post is helping me feel confident I'll have to save it or remember it since I'm not sure how to save it here at PC.

Thank you kindly

[chalmette70043]

Hey Greenleaves. I dont know if you have a county(?), not sure what it is called in Canada. Down here where i live we have in areas of the state something called Job Rehabilitation Services. I've been going there for a few months now. They are in the process of helpng me to find a job. They want me to only work part time at this time and in a stress free as possible job. They are gong to sit down with me and do mock interviews. And my T is also going to do that with me. Don't feel bad though, my anxiety is high even over doing these mock interviews. I take klono 1mg twice a day. But with having to do this, i'll have to take another 1/2. The job rehab offered also to attend the interview with me and go the first few weeks to the job. I'm against them going to work with me cause everyone knows everyone down here and word would travel fast that something is up. I don't want my dx's to get out.

But i wish you luck with it and hope you can find someone to help you. I'd offer to call and do the mock interview over the phone. But my anxiety would sky rocket. No offense.

chal