Job interviews... eep!

[Kelly Fisher]

Okay, so I've been job-hunting these past months since graduation, and I've nearly had three interviews, plus I've just recently taken a skills test for a writing and editing position with a local marketing firm, and I know I did well on the test, so I'm expecting to get an interview out of it. But the problem is that I'm terrible at interviews. Like, two of the three near-interviews failed to lead to real interviews because my dumb ass has no skills when it comes to interview-speak. (The third time was a mixture of bad timing and technical difficulties. Very, very annoying!) I'm just not good at interviews. I don't comport myself right; I lack confidence; if I miss a word or a thought somewhere I go to pieces and turn into a blithering idiot; I'm brutally honest; I don't know how to turn my personality down... I mean I'm pretty certain that the only reason I survived my last real interview was because they'd already decided to give me the job before I even showed up! So, naturally, I'm worried about the interview that I'm very likely to get, because even though one of my best friends works in HR and is constantly coaching me on how to ace interviews, I still just know I'm gonna do something to muck it up, and its gonna be bad. And I really want this job! Its right up my alley, even has perfect hours, and I WANT to work and have a structured schedule and benefits and be able to pay my bills and move out of my mom's house and all the rest of it! I WANT IT!!! I need to learn not to second guess myself. I need to learn to turn my faults into assets, my weaknesses to strengths, and to recognize my talents and be able to sell myself to employers. And I need to not be afraid of the Interview (dun-dun-duuuhhhh!) but recognizing the problem doesn't make it any easier to solve!

In short: I have an inferiority complex, which was no doubt caused by the emotional and verbal abuse I was subjected to in my youth, and I need to find some way to conquer it so that I can impress potential employers and actually earn myself an offer.

And I'm sleepy.

[Kelly Fisher]

Thanks for that.

[Cindy]

Oh Kelly, I know exactly how you feel! I'm not sure if you can tell, but I am kinda outgoing *being a smartass*. However, when it comes to interviews, I stress. I have carried many types of jobs..and as long as you can follow these steps...you will be FINE.
1) eye contact. When you first meet your prospective employer, look them RIGHT IN THE EYE, and never quit..during the entire interview.
2) smile, always smile..atleast whenever it is relevant.
3) answer questions precise, and matter of fact...(act like you KNOW your shit).
4) once you catch yourself blabbing, STOP.
5) do NOT cross your arms or legs, (unless you are wearing a dress of course) and sit up straight. It shows confidence, and your body language shows you have nothing to hide...KEEP THAT EYE CONTACT! (and your warm smile)

You might not get the job, who gives a shit. Treat it just like that..even if you obviously really give a shit. The more you need the job, the more you look desperate. That is when you become introverted, fidgity, quit smiling, and lose eye contact. Kelly, you don't NEED the job. You have a roof over your head, and you live with your mom. You WANT the job okay?
Walk in there like you KNOW you are going to get it!
At my last interview, my boss said, "do you have any questions". I said, "yes, could you please show me what the showroom looks like, I have never been in here before".
I could have said NO, but I showed interest, because I knew I was going to get the job.
He wound up showing me, not only the show room, but where items are located, how the procedure worked in the back bar, etc.
Then, at the end, he said, "I have a few more interviews, so I will contact you with my decision by thursday (it was monday).
Thursday came and went, and he didn't call me.
I called him friday, and left a message. I told him "I was looking forward to your call yesterday, but never heard from you. I just wanted to let you know that I am still very interested in working for you, and cannot wait to hear back from you".
I left it alone.
I showed interest, but I didnt beg.
So, I got the job. It is at the MGM, and very corporate, so I had to dangle through the hoops.

Sorry this got so long, but I KNOW you can do it Kelly!!!