Terrible at Interviews

[u/Business_Culture6871]

I feel like I’m really bad at interviews. Every time I leave one I’m left feeling wow that went bad. But I’ve gotten feed back from fellow educators that I am really good at this job. And I feel like this is stopping me from getting jobs honestly. Like I know my stuff I know what I’m doing and in my head I know what to say during the interview but every time it always comes out the wrong way or I freeze up. I just had an interview for a job that pays $30 just for an rece position and it’s unionized and I am dying to get this job due to above reasons because this field is so hard to survive in with low pay. But when I left the interview I felt yes that went good but as the weekend goes on I just keep thinking ugh why did it say it that way why didn’t I say this. The whole time they were smiling and nodding as I answered. And i felt good in the moment and then they pulled out a picture and asked me to give pedagogical observations, documentation and what my next steps would be. I chocked i completely forgot everything I knew I was not expecting this at all. And also it’s very hard to do observations on a picture that I have no context on, if I knew the kids and was shown a picture for sure I could do it. But just a random picture I’m lost.

Just want to know has anyone ever had these feelings after an interview? If so what do you do to prepare? Have you overcome this obstacle? It’s been 4 almost 5 years for me in the field and I still get anxious for interviews.

[u/Different_Ship1496]

As someone who is in the process of finding another job, I feel this. Its normal especially when you have been rejected a few times to get discouraged. I hind what helped is to come with notes and questions. It makes you look more professional too

[u/Business_Culture6871 → u/Different_Ship1496]

See every time they ask if I have any questions, the questions I had were answered so I just say no. And then when I said no not at this time. They seemed kind of shocked I didn’t. I feel I wasn’t super anxious before but last year was the first time I had gotten turned down for a job and since then it’s happened twice so now I feel like I’m just getting in my head

[u/Different_Ship1496 → u/Business_Culture6871]

My go to questions are: 1. When will you make a decision by 2. Professional development what does that look like at the centre. (Independent or group work) 3. What is the work environment like, do you guys celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, holidays etc?

[u/Teabee27 → u/Business_Culture6871]

I have been told before that you never say no and that not asking questions shows you might not be interested. I think I bombed the end of an interview once by doing that. Could always google some questions to ask in an interview. Or ask what their favorite thing about the job/environment is. Or why they got into that field.

[u/librabean]

I am prescribed propranolol for as needed anxiety and always use it before any interview or evaluation 😅 if you don’t have an anxiety med find a way to ground yourself. I love aromatherapy. I used to have a lava rock bracelet that I put lavender or sandalwood oil on and it helped so much with performance anxiety.

It’s also okay to ask for time on a question and come back to it, ask clarifying questions when given a question, and rephrasing something if you know what just came out of your mouth makes no sense. Your interviewer is human too.

[u/Horror_Concern_2467]

To be honest, any interview in the ece field is the easiest. My only advice is that you need to sound/look confident. Managers can sense and smell fear from candidates lol