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)
9
Interview Nerves
-
Adam Sandelson
LSE Student Counselling Service
10
Aims
Look at confidence building measures
Develop positive self talk Overcome physical anxiety Manage underlying feelings
11
CIRCLE OF CONFIDENCE
situation thoughts feelings behaviour
(self-talk) sensations
Negative Circle
12
CIRCLE OF CONFIDENCE
situation thoughts feelings behaviour
(self-talk) sensations
Positive Circle
13
Confidence for Interviews
Key Principles:
Sensible planning Positive Self talk Role Rehearsal Relaxation/ Stress Management
14
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?
15
How is our message received?
Tone & Inflection
38%
Words7%
Body Language
55%
16
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
17
Anxiety Management
Anxiety = high level of bodily arousal+
negative self-defeating thoughts
Instead, learn: 1. Physical relaxation 2. Breathing 3. Mini-pause
18
Interview Dynamics
Pastrelationships
Feelingsabout the
interview…
Currentrelationships
19
Underlying dynamics
Trying to please others Wanting to be the best Being a perfectionist Family /historic context for being
successful Setting yourself impossible
targets
20
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!