dealing with interview nerves adam sandelson and laura-jane siiverman

Dealing with Interview NervesAdam Sandelson and Laura-Jane

SiIverman

What are nerves? Learning from the past Preparation – the nerves remedy Over to Adam! Difficult questions? The waiting game Helpful resources

Over the next hour…

Your body’s way of dealing with stress

Symptom Spectrum:• shaky hands • teary• dry mouth• sweating• heart thumping• feeling faint

- Key –Adrenalin

Interviewphobia

• Dissect the interview (not immediately after!)

• Seek constructive feedback from HR• Remember external factors ie. competition• See it as great interview practice

• If past includes negative exp. in workplace, focus on strengths/transferable skills

Learning from the Past

Why prepare?Knowledge brings confidence!Reflects your organisational skills

Problems exposed before interview

Preparation: the nerves remedy

Know yourself

What makes you tick at work?

What are your strengths/opportunities?

How do you like to be managed?

What are your future career dreams?

Why are you applying?

Top Tips for Preparation (1)

Know your employer

Products & services

Organisation Structure & Culture

Financial conditions & Competitors

What is your function/team/personal role in this?

Top Tips for Preparation (2)

Careers service/Role Play/interview stream

Contact Alumni/friends/people who know org.

Predict the tricky questions Plan journey/try on outfit Early night ZZZZZZ

Top Tips for Preparation (3)

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Interview Nerves

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Adam Sandelson

LSE Student Counselling Service

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Aims

Look at confidence building measures

Develop positive self talk Overcome physical anxiety Manage underlying feelings

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CIRCLE OF CONFIDENCE

situation thoughts feelings behaviour

(self-talk) sensations

Negative Circle

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CIRCLE OF CONFIDENCE

situation thoughts feelings behaviour

(self-talk) sensations

Positive Circle

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Confidence for Interviews

Key Principles:

Sensible planning Positive Self talk Role Rehearsal Relaxation/ Stress Management

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Developing Positive Self-Talk:

Where/when am I already confident?

What does that confidence feel like?

How is it different from feeling low? How did I build that confidence?

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How is our message received?

Tone & Inflection

38%

Words7%

Body Language

55%

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Good practice tips

Positive self talk e.g. ‘good enough’ Vary vocal style – 3 P’s

Pace Power Pause Pitch

Less is More Focus on positive listeners

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Anxiety Management

Anxiety = high level of bodily arousal+

negative self-defeating thoughts

Instead, learn: 1. Physical relaxation 2. Breathing 3. Mini-pause

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Interview Dynamics

Pastrelationships

Feelingsabout the

interview…

Currentrelationships

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Underlying dynamics

Trying to please others Wanting to be the best Being a perfectionist Family /historic context for being

successful Setting yourself impossible

targets

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LSE Student Counselling Service – KSW.507

Free and confidential Mainly short term counselling Book appointments in advance Urgent appointments (phone early in the

day) See Website for

Stress management handouts Self help resources on a wide range of student

issues (study – related and personal difficulties) Relaxation MP3’s

Not about right/wrong – the journey and structure

Repeat/clarify/louder/pause – all justified

Show knowledge of subject Play safe – no controversial/extreme

answers/examples

Difficult Questions?

Don’t think about interview! Try to find out feedback timescales Send thank you email - don’t call

them Offer acceptance – speak to friends

and supervisors Research salary expectations

The Waiting Game – the after-effect

It’s a two way process

You might be the solution to their problem

You’ve been whittled down to last few

Great practice

Take 2 or 3 things away from today

Any questions?

Final thoughts

Additional Resources

Practice interviews with careers advisers Employer led workshops Vault and Wetfeet guides to Case Interview Careers website Interview Stream - http://

lse.interviewstream.com/ http://www.youtube.com/lsecareers

All the best with your interviews!

Tea-time!