On Tuesday I have a job interview and I am freaking out about it already!!!!

I REALLY want this job. And as we all know folks, A LOT of other people are out of work right now and I know the competition is going to be fierce, I'm sure many others will be interviewed too. In job interviews, I feel like sooner or later I say something where I feel like I'm shooting myself in the foot. I really hate job interviews. I know everything about me is being evaluated. I'm reading an interview book right now trying to think about how to answer the questions like what are my strengths, what are my weaknesses, what are my skills, how do I describe myself, blah, blah, blah. I just feel so overwhelmed. I don't need a college degree for what I am applying for and I do have a couple of recommendations from other employers I've worked for so I believe I have a chance. However, I have not worked at all in over three years. I went through some tough times but now I really do feel capable of working again and I'm worried that I won't even be given a fair chance. Does anyone have any advice for me??? It doesn't matter to me how young or old you are, I'm very open to any suggestions here! I NEED to work again, I am tired of feeling so stagnant and useless. Please help. How can I shine in this interview??? I'm rather introverted and I'm more of a good listener than a good talker. I really want this job, what can I do to make a good impression?

[Agora1]

Googoodollsfan, I use to be introverted as well. And then I attended a seminar that taught

salesmen how to portray themselves as confident, open and self assured as to who they were and what they wanted in life.

The thing to remember is that the interviewer doesn't know you, doesn't know you are shy or a listener. And with this knowledge, you can be anyone you want to be by "play acting"

It's but for a short time and may just guarantee you a second interview or the job itself.

Before you meet the person, you bring your shoulders down, take a deep breath and let it slowly out. Stand tall and sit tall, it shows confidence in yourself. You may be asked questions but turn it around at times and ask them questions pertaining to the job itself.

It shows your interest as well as gives you time while they are talking to breathe and relax.

I have actually turned down jobs in the past because I am able to look the interviewer in the eyes, sound sincere and confident that you possess the qualities they are looking for.

I want to wish you good luck and let us know how it turns out. You're right in that it's not

about age but about personality and confidence xx

[FearIsALiar]

Take notes! And have some questions written out before going in GOOD LUCK ! You got this

[amoeba43]

I really want to encourage you but I'm hesitant. I see a lot of "all or nothing" happening in your post. I will address that concern first and then happily cheer you on. Feel free to skip ahead.

i know, at least for me, that all or nothing approach to life leads to some pretty rough times if things don't go the way I want and often they don't.

While it's a great time to prepare for the interview, maybe also consider taking some time to prepare for all posible outcomesntp make sure you can handle whatever life throws at you? Take stock of what you have, and what you want, and what you actually need to take care of you. Not everything is in our control or is a.direct reflection of ourselves, our lives, our futures, etc.

NOW, that said...

YAY!!!

Nice job sticking with it and persevering! You've got an interview! I recommend reminding yourself that they are just people. They want co-workers they can rely on and enjoy their time with. Eye contact matters but not to say stare intensely. Warm smiles matter. If you need an extra moment to think, take it and organize your thoughts. You can say sething like, "wow,. Great question" and "thankss for allowing me the time to give a full answer" Try to be succinct.

Most importantly, remember to try and read the room. There is no solid standard answer to this question because every interview is different Every interviewer is different. Before going in think of the kind of energy the place might want and find a version of yourself that feels comfortable proofing something similar. And again, when in the room, take a breath and consider the energy of the interviewer.

Cheering for you! So proud you're out there and finding opportunities to grow and reach for your goals!

[Hidden in reply to amoeba43]

Thank you. I'm trying to tell myself if I don't get the job I will be all right, but I just really need to save up some money to get another car and a better computer and some people just do not understand how tough it is to try to survive without having a car. And one of their questions probably will be do you have transportation to get to work and I will just say yes because I know some of the bus system around here and I can call an Uber if I need to, however then it gets dicey because I don't want to start before 8am so I can have time to walk to work and I don't want to work past 8pm because I don't want to call an Uber late at night, and especially as a woman I'm not walking back by myself in the dark, that isn't safe!!! People love to say honesty is the best policy, I don't know if that necessarily pertains to job interviews. These interviewers want to trip you up.

[Beachcomber75]

My strategy is to have a lot of questions for them prepared. It shows you're interested but they end up doing most of the talking. Most Managers love sharing about their business & ideas & it leaves them with a positive feeling about your meeting.

[Hidden in reply to Beachcomber75]

Good idea, thank you. I will do that. I'm trying to do some research about the company today. I hate to constantly have all the focus on me.

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer]

Remember, they are interviewing you but you are interviewing THEM as well. If you have that mindset you change the power dynamic and level the playing field a little. Of course you need to answer their questions but they need to answer yours as well. So have questions ready for them. You’d be surprised how many people don’t know how effective this is. One more thing.....there’s just two things you need to convey in the interview : why you really want this PARTICULAR job and why you are uniquely qualified for the position. When I have hired people that’s what I have wanted to hear. And I’ve always been impressed with people who have asked really good questions. The bottom line is that you have more power than you think when you are interviewing. You’ll do fine!

[Hidden in reply to Catsamaze]

Thank you. I will definitely have some questions lined up for them. I greatly appreciate your feedback!!!

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer]

My pleasure! It works! Most candidates do not do this. You are ahead of the game......

[Dolphin14]

You have been given great advice. I will just say best of luck to you.

[Jeff1943]

As Napoleon said: "All great battles are won the night before." Do your homework in advance, find out everything you can about the company you want to join and work out short answers to all the questions you can think you might be asked.

But as General von Clausewitz also said: "No battle plan survives contact with the enemy". So be prepared to improvise what you say when you know which way the wind blows.

Business, after all, is warfare fought by other means😊.

[Hidden in reply to Jeff1943]

Well, thank you. Quite honestly after really thinking about this for a long time, I've ultimately decided not to go for it just because the job is at a large retail store and I just don't want to catch the coronavirus. It's really going around to everybody and even though I definitely need the money, I'm holding off for now. I had typed up my resume and all that but this store is huge and definitely a big Covid-19 hot spot and with everything that's happening, there's really no telling when the general public is getting the vaccine that's coming out, so I am holding off on this. But I'm SO grateful for everyone's great advice on here, I took some notes!!! And I will keep trying but I don't want to end up in a hospital dying. I'm getting vaccinated before going for something else, this pandemic is really serious.