Post-interview agonies

[SeattleJess]

Argh.... I just finished my first interview for a CNA job. There is really only one organization that I want to have hire me and I volunteer there. The woman I was scheduled to meet with for a panel interview (for which I researched and prepared) came out to the lobby, shook my hand and then handed me off to someone else for a -one-on-one interview with someone for whom I had NO information while she took a man who was also waiting into another interview that had been scheduled for the same time.

I felt I was too wordy answering questions. Too much detail.

Plus, I know we're supposed to push our skills, strong points and why we'd add value to the organization but I have a hard time doing that for a sustained period of time.

Near the end of the interview I started feeling really self-conscious. I volunteer at the facility and I referred to one of the neighborhood coordinators there as "Neil S." when his name is "Nick S." I knew that, just was starting to feel nervous. After that mistake, it seemed my interviewer's eyes glazed over. I started telling myself, "Now she thinks I'm an idiot! A phoney! A buffoon!" My mind is my worst enemy and it lies in wait for me constantly.) I didn't ask as many question (especially about her) as I should have because by then I just wanted to leave.

I HATE interviewing! (I know saying that doesn't put me in a better mental state to do it but right now it's the truth!) I would be fantastic in this job because I have not only the basic physical skills but the mental and emotional skills to be awesome at it.

So I'm going to write the obligatory post-interview thank you email and thank you note, hurt for awhile and move on.

Is there any way to practice for an interview without wasting an actual job opportunity? Is there any way to keep from unraveling during an interview? Is there any way to make interviewing less stressful?

[schnookimz]

I doubt it went as poorly as you think it did. Answering questions with detail is usually a good thing.

And hospitals are enormous places, I bet your interviewer doesn't even know who nick/Neil is!

[Missingyou, CNA]

It really is all in how you approach it and how you think about it.

Rather than think a job interview as just them interviewing you....think of it as an opportunity for YOU to get to know them.

Think of it as an opportunity to see if this is a place where you would like to work. I think it will help you relax a bit.

After all, you will be spending alot of time and energy there...take that time and find out if THEY are worthy of YOUR time and efforts. :)

[kelleytison]

Hi SeattleJess, what was the outcome?