By Imogen Fay, Content Team Contributor
Looking for work. Whether we’ve been let go from somewhere or wanting a change of career, it’s hard for everyone. Even more so for us who suffer from anxiety.
Tell us about yourself. Why do you want to work for us? What do you think you could bring to our team? Give us an example of when you have used this skill. It’s always the same questions.
Before you even get to meet the potential employer you’ve got to complete the dreaded application form, usually just attaching your CV then having to re-write it anyway. You’ve spent over an hour applying for one job. Have they received your application? Has the position already been filled? How long will it take to receive a response?
You’re lucky enough to be invited for an interview, you have a stomach ache, you feel jittery and can’t stop overthinking the situation.
What do I wear? What if I’m late? What if I forget my answers?
Tell yourself it’s okay and you don’t need to worry. Be proud of yourself that you have been considered and stop overthinking the negatives.
Firstly don’t push yourself to apply for loads of jobs at a time, this will affect the quality of your application. Prioritize the roles you want the most before you apply for the rest.
If you’re applying for jobs that are in different sectors for example retail and hospitality, have a CV and cover letter that match up to the skills and experience that are asked for that sort of work. This will save time and stop you worrying about your response for each job you apply for.
Make a note of all the jobs you’ve applied for and the date you’ve applied and the expiry date of the role, this will give you an idea if you’ve been considered. Wait a week or 2 after the role has expired, and if you haven’t heard from the employer by then you probably won’t be going in for an interview.
Being diagnosed with Anxiety and being diagnosed with a disability, you do have the right to ask for reasonable adjustments prior to the interview. To relieve some of that anxiety, ask for the interview questions before, so you know what sort of questions to expect and can prepare.
The night before the interview comes. Have everything in place for the next day
- The route and time when you leave.
- The outfit you’re going to wear, sticking to something smart but casual for lower paid roles and for higher paid more corporate roles, dressing smartly.
- Have your answers prepared.
When you’ve put everything in place for the next day, try to zone out of the situation.
- Put it to the back of your mind as if you’re not having the interview the next day
- Do something you enjoy, exercising, reading a good book, cooking a nice dinner or just laying around watching your favourite TV program.
Remember everyone usually sleeps poorly before certain events. Remind yourself it’s one night. It won’t affect your performance and you won’t fall asleep in your interview!
The interview arrives.
- Just think of it as a normal day. Waking up having breakfast, doing any chores or jobs before, getting dressed.
- Have a read through your responses and repeat them to yourself.
- On the journey listen to your favourite music or podcast
- You’re sitting waiting to meet your potential employer. Take your mind off of where you are. Taking deep breaths and taking your attention to other things in the room. The colour of the walls, any leaflets or posters or looking outside if there’s a window.
Everyone receives rejection at some point of their lives. Don’t let that put you down. Tell yourself they obviously saw your potential as you wouldn’t have been invited for an interview in the first place. Try not to take it personally and compare yourself to others. I know from personal experience these tips are easier said than done, but even a few definitely make a difference. The main things I try and always tell myself are that there will be other opportunities, the job might not have been for me in the first place and most importantly that it’s their loss that they didn’t select me for the job, not mine.
