I want to apply for an internal position but I am terrible at interviewing.

37 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 5:39PM UTC

   Therapy will provide both insight into your fear and debilitating anxiety. You will also develop tools to help you prepare.

2. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 20,2023 at 6:18PM UTC

   Stop doing it in the mirror. First practice just answering questions. I used to do it everywhere - in the car, in the shower. This might be helpful for you because you'd have other things to think about and that may help with your fear.

   Second, please don't think of this as someone "putting you under the hot lights and grilling you". Try to think of it as a conversation with a friend you're meeting for coffee.

   One thing I recommend to candidates is to tape themselves asking themselves questions and then answering them. I promise you, that answer will sound a whole lot better the 20th time you say it than the first.

   This will allow you to edit your answers to precisely get across what you want. Doing this can help improve your confidence if you get nervous or help you stay on point if you sometimes ramble.

   And please make sure you listen and answer the question you were asked. I've had candidates talk for 5 minutes and not answer the question I asked them.

   Please let me know if you have any questions.

   GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

3. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 11:31PM UTC

   Thank you SO MUCH for this reply!!! I never thought to tape questions then reply to them! I will work on answering questions all over the place...out loud. In my head and on paper, my answers are solid. Once I start to speak them, they just don't come out the same. Then I'm like girl, what did you jist say?!?! Thank you again! This is probably one of the best answers I have received when asking this question.

4. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 21,2023 at 5:07AM UTC

   You are so welcome! Yes! You absolutely have to practice the answers out loud.

   Practice a bit first and then tape yourself asking questions and make sure to tape your answers. Then you can listen and see if you're getting across what you want to in the answers.

   If not, you can edit your answers to be more precise. You can also see if you're rambling.If you need more questions, google is your friend.

   When you're on an interview, if they throw a question out of left field at you, you can repeat the question back to them. A. It forces you to breath B. By repeating the question, you can make sure you understand the question and C. It can buy you a bit of time to come up with an answer.

   I think this will help you build confidence and then you'll be less nervous. And listen for how quickly you're talking, that's one thing I always try to be conscious of - that I'm not talking too fast.

   Good luck! Please keep us posted on what happens.

5. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 21,2023 at 5:22AM UTC

   I just re-read your original post again.

   YOU SAID"

   "terrible at interviewing. "

   "So terrible that I even choke during mock interviews."

   "get nauseated instantly."

   "quell this disaster going on in my brain?"

   I am certainly no therapist but it's like you're pre-planning for failure.

   PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE concentrate on this part of your comment:

   I really want this new position and I know I am highly qualified.

   HIGHLY QUALIFIED! Here's what I tell my candidates - you're going to be talking about you - and you're already the Subject Matter Expert in that.

   If you were to meet a friend for coffee on a Saturday afternoon and she asked you to explain what you do, would you be nervous answering?

   Please don't put so much pressure on yourself and think of your interview as a two way conversation.

   You got this!!!!!!!!!!!

6. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterFebruary 20,2023 at 6:58PM UTC

   I agree with everything Joan said - and, as the anonymous poster suggested, therapy may be in order. I'm not a mental health professional, but it sounds like performance anxiety and/or stage fright...both of which can be helped with therapy. Best wishes!

7. Julie A. LaryFebruary 20,2023 at 10:34PM UTC

   When I interview, I always start with the mindset that the job is already mine, and the interview is a technicality. It helps to mitigate the reality that getting the job hinges on acing the interview.

   Interviewing face-to-face is definitely more challenging because they're judging the "entire" you from your high heels to your hair color. If you're interview via a conferencing application, dress nicely from the waist up.

   Split your computer screen in half. Put the video window on one half, and your written responses to your questions on the other side. Your resume should be printed out (along with other reference materials). Looking at the screen, the interviewing won't know you're referencing your notes as you talk.

   Deep breath. Visualize talking to a trust friend as you interview.

   If you have a phone interview. Hurrah! You can read off your notes, resume, and reference materials.

8. AnonymousFebruary 20,2023 at 11:34PM UTC

   I do split my screen with the interviewers on one and answers on the other. I have performance anxiety for sure. As Lesa and anonymous suggested. I have been to therapy...might need more.

9. GirlBossanova934974February 22,2023 at 1:23PM UTC

   Here's a thought which diverges from most. Perhaps you have practiced too much??? Now you are spending your time critiquing every little gesture and every syllable? Let it go. In my several decades of experience, I found the most gifted speakers were usually the people who spoke the most and considered it to be something akin to having breakfast every day. 20 or so years ago, I considered my interview skills to be subpar and my public speaking skills even more to be desired. I volunteered for posts in professional organizations and signed up for teaching jobs. Public speaking and that sort of thing became second nature. For me, I was able to get in front of 90 students and give an hour lecture OR go out to large company sponsors and make pitches for donations. So what was a job interview? Line them up. As a result, other than read over the job description, finding out about the hiring manager, and reading about the company, I do not rehearse for job interviews. My story is good and I can figure out when it is time to speak up. I am also able to figure out fairly quickly when the job is not worth having or the interviewer is completely unprepared which today goes on much more than it used to. Good luck!

10. Gwendolyn FreeFebruary 22,2023 at 1:25PM UTC

    Interviewing is a skill learned just like everything else. With todays competition, one can no longer wing interviews. I found someone that would work with me one on one with asking & answering interview questions. You can even google the right way to answer interview questions. Study the questions and write down your answers to them. Not only say them in a mirror, but also use video and play them back to watch how you can improve your interviewing skills. First thing, get over your fear and prepare yourself until you are comfortable with all the questions. This takes time to master. You can also ask a friend to help you and give feedback. It doesn’t matter how qualified you are for a position, if you can’t ace the interview! Good luck!

11. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 1:32PM UTC

    It's a conversation. About a topic that interests both of you. Try not to put it up on a huge pedestal. You know your job, you know what you like to do, what you're good at. It will come through in the conversation.

    This is an internal role? Then you will be chatting with someone you know or at least know about and may have met, and that will help smooth the conversation. You will have a lot of common knowledge, so you won't be a brand newbie.

    Go talk about what you love to do, and maybe this will manifest into this role. Don't forget to just ask for their consideration, and let them know this is a great way for you to contribute even more to your company. If you get it, great. If you don't, at least you tried to take a step.

12. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 1:35PM UTC

    I'm with you, I don't like interviewing and I sometimes stumble even though I know I'm more than qualified for a role. Couple of things that I do is get my heart rate going...so exercising in the morning to clear my head. I always have 4 to 5 "save the day" stories and a tell me about yourself answer prepared that I practice over and over again, so no matter how they phrase an interview question I'm prepared. Bear in mind there are some questions that you can't prepare for so do your best when trying to answer them, but keep calm. Remember, the people that are interviewing you have been in the exact same interview seat as you. Being armed with that information seems to make me less nervous.

    You have an edge! You're an internal candidate that knows the inner workings of your organization. If you can get your current manager to put in a good word for you even better!

    Good Luck! You got this!

13. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 1:55PM UTC

    This is me too. I hate interviews, reviews, etc. Know you are not alone. Just keep doing what you are doing and since it is internal try to think of it as a just a conversation.

14. Jennifer WuolletFebruary 22,2023 at 2:01PM UTC

    I did an internal change a year ago and my "interview" was a 20 min phone chat to see if I really wanted the job. I talked myself up a bit but it was super easy. If you know who you would be interviewing with, it may be worth stopping by and having a quick chat with them to let them know you applied and maybe ask a few questions about the job. Then it breaks the ice and you know how the person will react/behave in the interview and in theory help keep the interview more like a meeting and not an interview.

15. Shelly EdwardsFebruary 22,2023 at 2:07PM UTC

    A friend gave me a tip once and it has helped me be a little less nervous. First remember you already have a job, so worst case scenario is you don’t get this job and you stay where you are. That takes some pressure off. Second, you know that you are qualified for this position and would be a great asset to it so act like it. Remind yourself that they would be lucky to have you, not the other way around. Have confidence in yourself and your abilities. That takes more pressure off. Also, remember you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Look at it through a Lena’s of us this a fit for you. That may help you feel like you are on more even ground. I think the nerves and the jitters are all a matter of perspective and if you change your perspective from the start, you can better control them. Best of luck!!

16. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 2:11PM UTC

    Change your mindset about the interview. Consider an interview as a play and you are memorizing your lines. Type up questions and your answers. Study “your lines” extensively before the interview so that you are well prepared. I never perform well in mock ups or looking in the mirror but I can nail an interview every time by using the above recommendation.

17. osama ahmadFebruary 22,2023 at 3:29PM UTC

    Put Your thinking in what You do perfectly otherwise into going into the interview.

18. Valentina Huang, MBA, SHRM-CPFebruary 22,2023 at 3:35PM UTC

    It's great you found a role you really want! Now apply. Don't let the thought of an interview prevent you from applying. In the meantime, practice!practice!practice! I find that anytime I practice in the mirror or even if I have to look at a video of myself speaking, I cringe. I much rather prefer speaking/practicing with another person like a friend. This way you can really practice with different tones when questions are being asked. Practice is definitely the best way to get through the interview. Nail down your answers until its second nature like how you would say your name. Also, I like to think about questions that I wouldn't want to be asked. Yes, "would not" because those are the ones that will throw you off the most. Plan for questions you think are hard or difficult to answer and go from there. Good luck!

19. Kiera WhittenFebruary 22,2023 at 3:40PM UTC

    One thing that helps me when being interviewed is to keep in mind that THEY are also being interviewed. This is a two way street and you're not supposed to be in a "hot seat". You want to make sure they have good answers for questions you have for them- like why is the position open and how long was the previous person in that position there? Keep an eye out for red flags in their answers. Don't give all your power away.

20. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 3:58PM UTC

    You know you're highly qualified. Make a list of why you are highly qualified, and add your current accomplishments, and keep it with you during the interview. Is this a remote interview or in-person? You can still use a cheat sheet for making notes as well if this is an in-person interview. It shows you are conscientious, a rare but valued quality.

21. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 4:05PM UTC

    Have you thought about practicing with a career coach or a recruiter? Is this anxiety? Maybe talk to your doctor to help with this. If you are being interviewed by a search committee can you reach out to someone after the interview (if you didn't get the role) and ask them what they see when you interview or for some tips or tricks.

22. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 4:55PM UTC

    Consider getting Beta blockers. Quite a few celebrities (Katy Perry for example) take them before every performance

23. TessaFebruary 22,2023 at 11:36PM UTC

    Is there a specific supplement you would recommend? Unfortunately prescription drugs/meds are usually ineffective for me.

24. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 5:24PM UTC

    Something I have done to help me is having a professional friend do a mock interview with. Do one where you give the questions and have them write the questions so you don’t know what’s going to be asked. That way you can build confidence in a safe environment and get used to the I know when they ask.

25. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 5:50PM UTC

    Write up a script. Have notes with you. Let your interviewer know that you are competent but talking about yourself and self promotion is something you are just not good at.

26. Bradford McCormickFebruary 22,2023 at 7:33PM UTC

    Is there any risk in trying to get the new position, i.e., offending your present manager and burning your bridges if you do not get the new position? If yes, think before you do something you may regret.

    But is the situation is benign, so what if you are bad at interviewing if you are good at the work? The best defense is often a good offense: Go into the interview and say up front: "I believe I can do really good work for the company in this new position for which I am aplying but I am awful at interviewing." Immediately follow that with specific examples of how you will perform well from past accomplishments and/or skills. Would you want to work for anybody who wa not favorably impressed by that?

27. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 22,2023 at 7:38PM UTC

    With 20 plus years experience recruiting and advising hiring managers and candidates, I would never, ever recommend a candidate do what you suggest.

28. AnonymousFebruary 25,2023 at 3:11PM UTC

    Joan, are you saying we should not say upfront, "I believe I can do really good work for the company in this new position for which I am applying but I am awful at interviewing"? It seems truthful and genuine.

29. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 27,2023 at 11:59PM UTC

    I thought I was pretty clear when I said that I would never, ever recommend a candidate do what the commenter suggested.

30. Donna LaPointeFebruary 22,2023 at 10:57PM UTC

    I've had people interview great and suck at their jobs. I'd take past performance reviews over a charmer outside interviewer.

31. Crystal HowellFebruary 22,2023 at 9:59PM UTC

    Take some Pepto or Dramamine to help with nauseous stomach.

    Smile, answer questions swiftly and efficiently. Just let them know you are the best candidate for the job!

32. TessaFebruary 22,2023 at 11:34PM UTC

    I'm just here for the responses.

    I'm the same. I'm a great employee, but rubbish at interviewing and it's impacting my ability to get hired. :(

    Well-intentioned people often minimize how hard interviewing is for some people and lack empathy.

    If you are an extrovert and/or great at interviewing, please try to think about something that makes you fearful or an area of your life where you struggled. That said, your cliche advice may work for the average person, but perhaps not for the people who really struggle. We aren't stupid - we know to practice, research the company, have notes, ask the interviewer questions, etc

    I have yet to meet a "coach" or a person that has a solution for these tougher cases like moi (it's almost like hiring for a hard-to-fill role). I would pay for this person's services.

33. Jessie D'Amato FordFebruary 22,2023 at 11:49PM UTC

    Lili Foggle from Impressive Interviewing is amazing - find her on tiktok for great tips to help

34. AnonymousFebruary 23,2023 at 1:03AM UTC

    I feel like I am really bad at interviewing too. I know I can do the work but I have a hard time "selling" myself.

    This is what I would do: Watch some youtube videos on interviewing. They give you tips on how to answer questions and what not to say. Also, they remind you that you are interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you. If you go in with the mindset, that the job might not be for you it calms you down since you aren't feeling as pressured to do well.

    I know you said you really want this job but I have known people who got the job they really wanted and then it turned out to be not for them. So go in with the mindset that they have to sell the job to you.

    I also write up a script with things that I want to say and questions that they might ask and the way that I would answer them. Then I read the over until I can easily recall it when I am asked a question.

    Lastly, please remember that you are not alone. Some of the most talented, hardworking people have a hard time interviewing. So keep trying!!

35. PatriciaFebruary 23,2023 at 2:21AM UTC

    Have you considered Toastmasters? Although they focus on presentation skills, they also practice impromptu speaking where you are asked a random question and have to answer on the spot - it really helps with thinking on your feet. It will help you settle your nerves and builds confidence.

36. AnonymousFebruary 23,2023 at 3:28AM UTC

    In reality practice is truly the only way to get better. A couple free options: Practice reading in church, or try and download sample interview questions and write out responses and practice them with a buddy, in front of a mirror or even your pet.

37. AnonymousFebruary 23,2023 at 3:59AM UTC

    LinkedIn has a great section on interview prep. https://www.linkedin.com/interview-prep/assessments/urn:li:fsd_assessment:(1,a)/question/urn:li:fsd_assessmentQuestion:(10011,aq11) They give you a layout in which you can answer the questions . Maybe try to write out your answers and read them a couple of times before an interview?