I wanna pump (clap) me up!
April 19, 2022 9:22 AM Subscribe
How can I turn my job interview dread into energy, motivation, and confidence?
I have a job interview on Friday for a job that I really want. It’s my fourth and final interview with this company and it’s the only job I’ve applied for right now.
I’m completely qualified for the role, though I’m doubting myself because it’s a Teapot Project Management role and I’ve never managed a full cycle teapot project before. I’ve managed teapot design projects, teapot glazing projects, teapot handle replacements, but never the full scope.
Also, my last interview was the first one with the hiring manager and she absolutely grilled me, really probing at my answers in a way that shook my confidence (though I did successfully volley with her enough to get called back). She and two others will be interviewing me this time and I’m worried she’ll see right through my inexperience and call me out on it.
My anxious brain wants to default to the ways this will go wrong, how I’ll lose my only chance to work in this coveted industry for this employer that I really want to work for, how I’ll continue to be stuck in my job that I hate, how the hiring manager will take the wind out of my sails.
How would you/can I pump myself up for this? How can I change the narrative in my anxious brain to one where I’m motivated by this challenge rather than dreading it and expecting to fail?
I have a job interview on Friday for a job that I really want. It’s my fourth and final interview with this company and it’s the only job I’ve applied for right now.
I’m completely qualified for the role, though I’m doubting myself because it’s a Teapot Project Management role and I’ve never managed a full cycle teapot project before. I’ve managed teapot design projects, teapot glazing projects, teapot handle replacements, but never the full scope.
Also, my last interview was the first one with the hiring manager and she absolutely grilled me, really probing at my answers in a way that shook my confidence (though I did successfully volley with her enough to get called back). She and two others will be interviewing me this time and I’m worried she’ll see right through my inexperience and call me out on it.
My anxious brain wants to default to the ways this will go wrong, how I’ll lose my only chance to work in this coveted industry for this employer that I really want to work for, how I’ll continue to be stuck in my job that I hate, how the hiring manager will take the wind out of my sails.
How would you/can I pump myself up for this? How can I change the narrative in my anxious brain to one where I’m motivated by this challenge rather than dreading it and expecting to fail?
Make a playlist of songs you know all the words to and sing them as loud as possible on the drive to the interview. (Or in your home before you head out.) It's so useful for loosening yourself up.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:40 AM on April 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:40 AM on April 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Rather than jumping around, which isn't my thing, you can try strutting around your house with your chin held high. Definitely sing the I am so great song though. Yes you're gonna look stupid but who cares? Not you, you're too great to care! It really is a quick perk up.
posted by phunniemee at 9:54 AM on April 19, 2022
posted by phunniemee at 9:54 AM on April 19, 2022
Best answer: I don't know if this will work for you, but I know it's true; anybody who's interviewing a candidate for the fourth time REALLY WANTS IT TO WORK OUT. They want it just as much as you. They've poured time into you and thought about how you can solve problems for them and make their job easier or doable. It's possible they have more than one candidate but that's a lot of money to spend on interviewing; everywhere I've been, a fourth interview is the "let's just make sure that no red flags pop up" phase. If you just keep being who you've been, it's probably yours.
posted by Pacrand at 10:59 AM on April 19, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by Pacrand at 10:59 AM on April 19, 2022 [9 favorites]
Yes to pacrand above.
But also:
I would go into interviews with a sheet of paper (generally just 1 side!) containing my core pitch or two, what I bring them; what I love about them/their business; list of relevant skills, list of achievements; list of bright ideas; my answers to the usual follow-up questions esp. anything delicate or tough; etc.
It would be available in case I blanked or forgot something -- but primarily I used it to psych myself up by reading it & meditating on it for the half hour prior. Then I am confident & raring to go!
posted by lathrop at 11:59 AM on April 19, 2022
But also:
I would go into interviews with a sheet of paper (generally just 1 side!) containing my core pitch or two, what I bring them; what I love about them/their business; list of relevant skills, list of achievements; list of bright ideas; my answers to the usual follow-up questions esp. anything delicate or tough; etc.
It would be available in case I blanked or forgot something -- but primarily I used it to psych myself up by reading it & meditating on it for the half hour prior. Then I am confident & raring to go!
posted by lathrop at 11:59 AM on April 19, 2022
Best answer: So, I've been interviewing lately as well, and what helps me is seeing the other person as a person, not just as Possible Boss or Possible Future Colleague.
Why are they cool? Anything intriguing about how they dress? What could I learn from them? What's stressing them out that I could totally help with?
For me this walks it back from "yikes, this could decide my Whole Life" to "this is one more professional conversation, I've had tons of those, lots of times they're even fun."
Best of luck to both of us. ;)
posted by humbug at 12:39 PM on April 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
Why are they cool? Anything intriguing about how they dress? What could I learn from them? What's stressing them out that I could totally help with?
For me this walks it back from "yikes, this could decide my Whole Life" to "this is one more professional conversation, I've had tons of those, lots of times they're even fun."
Best of luck to both of us. ;)
posted by humbug at 12:39 PM on April 19, 2022 [3 favorites]
Best answer: As an interviewer, if a candidate is doing well, I actually probe harder and more deeply in order to better understand just how far their depth of knowledge/experience and/or ability to think on their feet goes. If there are a lot of great candidates, this is the only way to really tease out who is best for the role.
If a candidate is not doing well, I will try to ask a lot more surface level questions in order to assess did I just happen to hit a "shallow answer" or is this person not as experienced as we would need them to be in the role.
I guess, this is all to say, your subjective experience of being interviewed has no determination on how others assess how qualified you are. The fact that you're moving on shows that you've passed the most recent interview!
posted by ellerhodes at 12:44 PM on April 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
If a candidate is not doing well, I will try to ask a lot more surface level questions in order to assess did I just happen to hit a "shallow answer" or is this person not as experienced as we would need them to be in the role.
I guess, this is all to say, your subjective experience of being interviewed has no determination on how others assess how qualified you are. The fact that you're moving on shows that you've passed the most recent interview!
posted by ellerhodes at 12:44 PM on April 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Thank you all for the wonderful answers.
The interview went great and I got an offer with a major pay bump! Y’all are the best.
posted by rodneyaug at 2:37 PM on April 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
The interview went great and I got an offer with a major pay bump! Y’all are the best.
posted by rodneyaug at 2:37 PM on April 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
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Before interviews, I jump up and down and sing "I am so great, I am so great, everybody loves me because I am so great." Usually at home before leaving, sometimes in a restroom if there's a long travel time. It helps, because it is so silly and because it's a ritual now.
They think you're qualified enough to interview you a fourth time, even after they grilled you. Job descriptions are a wishlist, you only have to be the strongest candidate who wants the job. You're doing great!
posted by momus_window at 9:37 AM on April 19, 2022 [9 favorites]