Posted by tackleme on February 28, 2003, at 17:15:32
In reply to Re: Interview Hell . . . Reunion hell? » noa, posted by bozeman on February 24, 2003, at 21:47:55
Well, maybe this is a conversation that I can add something to instead of just draw support. I have hired hundreds of people and have interviewed for many jobs with great success...none of which have ever detected my lack of mental health. So here is what you do.
1. Buy or select clothing that is sharp, fits perfectly and that makes you feel like you look great in it. Slightly overdress for the interview. Have your hair freshly cut and washed, manicure, facial, pedicure etc. anything that will help you feel good about the way you look ... even for a while. I personally feel invincible for about 2 hours after I take a hot followed by a cold shower... Then I go right to the interview!
2. Learn to make small talk. I moved 10 times before I went to high school and always had to be the one that initiates conversation and keeps it going. Make an excuse to go door to door in your neighborhood... like making or updating a phone directory. Force yourself to knock on every door and talk to every neighbor. Fill out your little page of names and numbers to kill dead spots in the conversation. After 20-40 neighbors you will start to get the idea about how to be friendly and cordial and helpful and talkative in a relaxed and authentic way plus most of the neighbors will love what you are doing. It took me 75 neighbors over a period of several weeks but I started to feel like I was a good guy and was doing something good. People actually think I am "such an outgoing person" when in reality I am forcing myself to endure my own personal survival therapy.
3. Learn to ask questions. During your neighborhood walk or at a party or everywhere, force yourself to ask about everything you notice. This is the most powerful tool in interviewing to be sure. If you can be interestED instead of interestING you are going to be way ahead of most applicants. Gradually you will learn to transition from your question into something about you or the job or, preferably, both.
4. Do not smoke, drink or take anything before the interview that will make you feel anything other than normal. I personally think taking any special short term meds will backfire since most interviews are part of a series of interviews and a saavy interview team will notice the inconsistencies in your style or behavior.
5. Do a little research and a little reading about the company, industry or the area so that you have something to draw on for your questions. If you are applying at retail, shop the place a few times before the interview. Call their help-line, "look under the carpet" a bit. You will be amazed at how this will ease your nerves and improve the image that you deliver.
6. Tell the truth about everything... except your mental health issues. Most people who don't know depression personally will never benefit from you telling them about yours. Additionally, the unknown is scary to most people and they will have wild, negative, fantasies about you and your future behavior.
7. Follow-up, Follow-up, Follow-up, Follow-up.
Call in a couple of days to see if any additional information is needed. Call again with another question that you didn't get answered. Email a request as to some sources they might recommend for further information. Ask to talk to the person who had the job previously or who currently has the job. Ask to speak with others who will work with the selected candidate to gather more information about what will be success factors in the job. etc. etc. etc. If you can't force yourself to do this then get a friend to hold you accountable to do it. Have them chech to make sure you are doing the steps.Some of this stuff is mechanical you might say but I guarantee that these things will help either you feel better and more confident or they will help the interviewers like and take notice of you more or both. Interviewers hire candidates that they like and feel comfortable with. The above tips will help this occur.
Good Luck!
poster:tackleme
thread:201539
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030223/msgs/204773.html