Maximizing interview performance

[dtmt]

I've had an interview lately where I felt that I really should have been able to nail it, but I was really
not on my game that day, mainly due to letting my nerves get the best of me.

So, any tips for keeping calm and focused on the day of the interview?

Specifically, I have been thinking of trying Ritalin/Ativan/some other performance-enhancing medication. Generally, I don't like the idea of using drugs, but if it will take nerves out of the equation then I feel it would be worth if for temporary use.

 

[GreenFrog]

I think the only surefire way to feel confident and relaxed is to research the **** out of the company, position, industry it's related to, and anything you can think of. Only when you know you have an answer to almost any possible question you can think of, can you actually feel very prepared and confident.

That being said, I do have a prescription for ativan and propanolol due to anxiety. I've been taking the ativan lately for interviews, but the amnesic effects are absolutely TERRIBLE. Plus, they make you kind of drowsy. It's a difficult balance to strike with the dosing.

 

[imschatz]

I've had good success focusing on two questions: 1) Why do I want the job? 2) What do I know about the job that other candidates won't? I donno. I always have the mindset that I know what I'm doing. I take the same mindset that I took into exams @ uni .. just do you're best, and you'll be happy with the result. Don't focus on the result (I never walked into an exam thinking I need an A - I've never walked into an interview thinking I need this job), focus on process.

 

[ramuman]

I wouldn't over think it, but I definitely wouldn't try to take something that you hadn't been using for awhile and knew the side effects of.

 

[bringusingoodale]

Take a swig of whiskey before to loosen you up. Just make sure to rinse your mouth out with some mouthwash to mask the smell.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

I recently interviewed for a position at a different organization and got the job. I set aside my interview clothes the day before and all of them are tried and true so I had no concerns about fit/pattern, ect. I went over answers to potential questions in my head for kind of a brainstorming session. In the interview I asked a few questions about specifics with the company than interjected in how I've developed my client book and how I plan to modify those skills and leverage them into the new position. I got the job.

 

[Odey]

There is no way better way to nail an interview than to be super prepared.

If you are in college, it should be fairly easy to find someone who has interviewed at the same firm. Ask them to give you some pointers and mock if possible. Seriously, mock so much it becomes 2nd nature. Also, have answers to all the standard questions memorized (or atleast the bullet points you want to hit in your answer). Finally, come up with questions before hand.

 

[Geoffrey Firmin]

I work in recruitment so I deal with interviews on a daily basis.

Make sure your appropriately dressed, do your research about the company.

First up what ever emotional baggage your carrying leave it at the door, think of it this way put your game face on. Your there for one reason to nail the job.

So exude confidence, if you don't believe in your abilities they wont.

As soon as you meet the panel make eye contact and keep it with them. Firm handshakes and when sitting adopt a confident posture, don't slouch.

When answering be concise and articulate, speak clearly don't waffle on.

If you need to think about a response then do so. Trust me panels are impressed by thoughtful candidates.

Your the product their interested in buying so its you capacity and capability to do the job which should be on show. So make sure you pitch is spot on.

Good luck.

 

[Joffrey]

Preparation. The best interview of my life was for an internship in college. I blew them away and was pretty confident midinterview of my chances with the questions I was asking them about their competitors and where (the interviewers) saw themselves/the company in a few years time, etc. I walked out of the building on a massive high. Something I've yet to repeat.