Should I invest into job interview training? I suck at interviewing.

So here's the deal: After stocking up on 1-2 months worth of groceries and paying off all of my bills, I have about $140 to my name. This week when I do plasma, I will have about $220, provided I don't spend anything.

Because I don't have any financial responsibilities for at least another month and I will be making an additional $345 before the end of the month, I am thinking about investing $90 into this job interview training that I discovered. Here's the link:

https://www.jobinterviewtraining.net/MeetMolly

It's basically a job interview simulation that is supposed to teach you how to answer 100s of interview questions and the "interviewer" is virtual but based on a real person with real personalities that vary to teach you how to interact with many different kinds of interviewers. There is also supposed to be real people who give you feedback based on your responses. This training seems to have real scientific research behind it with an analysis done by Yale University. Additionally, the program seems to be able to help people with "special needs" such as mental health, autism, criminal background, poor work history, and others.

I'm strongly considering purchasing this training because I truly feel like I will need every advantage I can obtain going forward. I royally suck at job interviews and I am even more terrible at thinking about things to say on the fly without getting nervous or stuttering. I am not wired to deal with people and I struggle in social interactions, especially when job interviewing or interacting with women/girls that I like.

Still though, part of me has doubts. I can't help but to think that I might be overreacting since I am only applying for entry level positions both at my college, and off campus, especially since I am already doing well interacting with a couple of interviewers on campus. I also want to save money up because I want to be able to take care of myself should something go wrong. I have a chronic fear of being broke.

It seems like the most logical approach is to invest into myself here. Still though, what do you guys think?

I would first check around to see if there are any free services offered for job interview help. I received free job interview assistance through the YMCA Employment Center, perhaps there is something similar to that where you are located? I found it very helpful to practice with another human, I am not sure how effective a program would be. However, if you can't find anything else I'd say go for it. Being good at job interviews is quite important, even for entry level jobs.

That's the thing though. I can't get enough help from free programs. I am trying to utilize services at college, however, I only get about 2 hours a week in training and that isn't enough when I will have job interviews lined up later this month.

I need more help than that. I need to be able to spend countless hours on training because I don't see myself succeeding otherwise.

Poor social skills and a lack of confidence are holding me back. I need to do something about them but I truly don't see how a free service would be enough.

I like many of Charlie's tips (video links below). Over the longer term, he would recommend an improv class (does your college offer any? Could be a good future elective) and/or Toastmasters. Toastmasters is free--they commonly meet at libraries and schools.

One Simple Tip To Make People Like You


How To Make People Like You - Bruce Lee Charisma Breakdown


Bruce Lee's Insane Charisma


3 Mistakes That Butcher First Impressions


I wouldn't pay--you have done so much self reflection that I think you are going to do just fine!!!

Though it can be useful to practice introducing yourself, shaking hands, smiling and looking into someone you have just met eyes. One way can be to take your resume to a staffing office and introduce yourself -- another way could be go to a bar with a friend and flirt with girls. There are many similarities between good flirting and good job interview skills. I have seen your confidence grow. You've got this.

Hopetrying makes a good point - Things like flirting, making a sale, presenting yourself for an interview, etc all share the common elements of making a good impression of yourself.

Numerous studies have shown that going through an interview with someone to hire them will not actually predict how well they will do their job once hired. Unless you're applying for a professional role with a very set specific set of skills that you can be quizzed on, it's really just a matter of whether you and the interviewer click.

I've been a hiring manager before and have done a ton of job interviews. I can tell you right now I care a lot less about what a persons says in response to a question compared to HOW they respond to a question. The same thing goes for flirting - people usually care a lot less about what's said than how it's said. I'd say the most important thing is being able to present yourself comfortably and confidently.

So with all that in mind, I'd say that the program might be worth paying for if you just want the practice interacting with people, but it is definitely not worth it to me if you just want help with specific questions because there are dozens of guides for that online.

It doesn't help me that I don't have confidence and I don't have any friends so I would have nobody to help me with what you suggested.

I also wouldn't be able to get into a class until the fall because summer is more limited to what kind of classes they provide.

I need a job before the fall or else I'm royally screwed. I've been trying so hard to network with managers and get a basic work study position at my college but if I can't make it in an interview, why waste my time?

I've tried a lot of these free guides and I also looked at those videos but I find everything so overwhelming.

Sorry but I am not good with people. I find humans to be confusing.

Also another significant barrier for me is transportation. I can't be expected to ride the bus all around town to go to various places to get free interview training or toastmasters or whatever else because it takes me an extra 3 hours just to get to and from school because of the buses.

This also limits where I can work because I can't budget this kind of time without screwing something up.

The free help that I've been getting at college just isn't enough. I only get about 2 hours per week (1 this week because of independence day) which leaves me about 5-7 hours before I start getting interviews. If I got called to an interview next week, I know I would screw something up at my current level of experience.

I don't know how to do everything on my own. This process is so overwhelming when I have nobody.

If you can, schedule the 1st interview with the job you want the least. Since leaving the military, I have found myself going through rounds of interviews every 2-6 years (left 24 years ago). Everytime--the very first interview I realize afterwards that I screwed something up but I rarely make a big mistake on the 2nd or especially the 3rd one (there are ALWAYS small things you wish you had said better but that was just anxiety/ rumination). The best practice for an interview is...a real interview......

That is actually good advise.

I am probably not going to buy the interviewing training. I am going to instead, invest some money for dropshipping, that way, at least I can keep some money coming in, even if it's only a $100-200 per month profit.

I need to be proactive. I can't sit here and have faith in these hiring managers, nor confidence that I will do well when I am constantly scared of the future because of how I will be homeless if I can't get a stable income by the end of Oct. If the worst happens, then there is a strong probability that I will return to the selfish liar and cheat POS that I used to be to try to survive. I don't want to turn back into that person but I can't stop being scared of the future and my inability to take care of myself.

I need to do something ASAP but it's so freaking hard for me to function without falling into depression and being overwhelmed with everything when I'm under this much pressure.

I try not to think about to much (of course you want to look good and have a resume and references on separate sheets). I just focus on a smiling (I am fortunate in that I smile easily when not depressed) look at the person asking the questions in the eyes and try to focus on what they are saying so I directly address the question. My problem/ weakness is that I talk to much. If I stop talking after my initial answer--I'm usually good to go--but if I keep going I go off on horrible tangents. Each person has there own strengths and weaknesses--you will likely figure yours out during the 1st interview.....

My resume was good enough to be complimented on by a couple of managers at my school all day which had me feeling good for awhile. I think what has me feeling so hopeless and depressed is that issue with losing my case manager that I posted about in the relationships and communication forum. He was a large part of my support and losing him has hurt me really badly.

I have everything lined up but the interviewing. I even have a guaranteed interview once I submit an application due to a good rapport with a hiring manager already (I'm just waiting it to appear on the job website).

Still though, interviewing is perhaps the biggest barrier for me. So you can understand why I feel the way that I do, right?

Of course! Remember--sometimes the nerves you feel in your stomache at the very beginning can "keep you on your toes." Being nervous is perfectly natural/normal. It is good that you are talking about it here--you expect to feel those nerves but you'll carry on anyways--I feel sure you can.

DarknessIsMyFriend--
I know you don't want to get overwhelmed with information but I think this is an excellent thing to review during the day of or before an interview

The Perfect Handshake