What do you do if you're feeling overwhelmed and unprepared for a job interview?

Know that the hiring manager would love nothing more than to give you the job. The reason you are invited to the interview is because they have a position to fill. Nothing would please them more than knowing they need not look further as they have found the right candidate.

When it comes to interviews, one often feels unprepared. My approach is to ask questions: How important is this interview? Does the job align with what I am looking for? Do I possess the necessary skills & experience for the job? Will this position contribute to my long-term goals or progression? Depending on my answers, I can pinpoint areas causing anxiety. I then address these gaps by: - Conducting additional research on the role and company - Reviewing my resume to identify examples that match the job responsibilities - Listing areas of strength where I can add value to the new role - Outlining areas I would like to develop and grow - Lastly, I remind myself to relax and trust that what's best for me will come as long as I give my all.

'Fail to prepare and prepare to fail' as the saying goes. Start with the obvious, research the company you are attending the interview for. Check their website, social media, get a feel for their products, mission, vision etc. Read any available customer/client feedback as this gives insights into their performances and interactions. You may have friends or family who work there, or for partner companies. They may give valuable knowledge about the business. Practice makes perfect, do some mock interviews with friends or family. Have them ask questions and challenge you. Ensure you are physically and mentally rested before your big day. Give yourself the best chance of succeeding!

1. Breathe and start to think about your experiences in the form of stories. Every interview question is a prompt for a story. If you can look at an interview from this point of view you are off to a great start. 2. Understand the you also hold power. You are in a mutually beneficial situation where the interviewer wants the best person. You, as the best person, have an advantage as well and an opportunity to interview the organization as well. 3. Do a quick scan of the organization's About Us page. Understand the mission and vision. Understand their demographics of their external audience and staff. Then assess what you can contribute and how you are an asset. 4. Be yourself and have fun. It's an opportunity to meet new people.

Mock interviews might feel awkward at first, but they can be super helpful in calming one's nerves and/or anxieties about the interview(s) to come. Practice with someone who knows the field, discipline or area you're interviewing in, so that they can ask you questions that may very well be asked by search committee. Also, take the opportunity to have them measure the speed of your speech, word choice, examples of work experience, etc. Again, this might feel overly cumbersome, but the more you practice the more confident you'll feel in your ability to rock the socks off your potential employers.

First thing first, start by taking a few deep breaths to calm your nerves. Remind yourself that feeling nervous is natural and that you have the skills and qualifications that caught the employer's interest in the first place. While it's ideal to prepare thoroughly for an interview beforehand, if you're feeling unprepared, do what you can with the time you have. You should take some time to review common interview questions and think about how you would answer them based on your experiences and skills. Consider questions about your strengths, weaknesses, previous work experiences, challenges you've overcome, and why you're interested in the position. Pay attention to your tone, body language, and the clarity of your answers.

The mock interview suggestion is one I have never personally tried, although it could be beneficial to use a previous leader to conduct one. This would assist in you receiving a more realistic experience, especially if the leader was in a similar position to the one the interviewer would occupy.

Mock interviews allow you to receive “friendly fire” alerting you to areas for improvement in your presentation. Getting several perspectives also mimics the interview process and reveals potential questions you might be asked to elaborate on.

Mock interviews are a powerful tool to prepare for a job interview. They allow you to experience different types of questions and situations, which can boost your confidence and improve your responses. Besides, they also provide valuable feedback that you can use to adjust your answers and improve your interview skills.Each interview is a different experience and a new opportunity to learn and be prepared for the next opportunity.

The level of confidence you display at an interview is critical for your success. Thus, learning to manage any anxiety or stress is critical. What works well for different people itself can be quite different. Thus take the necessary precautions to reduce your level of stress.

A job interview is a common stress trigger that can generate more or less realistic and adaptive thoughts. We need to be aware of these patterns of thought since they affect our feelings and behaviors. If we think that we are not ready or not enough qualified, the feelings will be close to worry and anxiety, which will hinder our performance. On the contrary, if we reframe these thoughts, considering the potential obstacles, but also our strengths and skills, it will lead to feelings of confidence. Our actions during the interview will reflect these feelings and thoughts, and we will manage it better. While it is not a guarantee that you will get the job, since there are many factors in play, at least you will definitely do your best.

I'm taking deep breaths to calm myself down. Then, I'm going to focus on preparing as much as I can. I'll research the company, practice common interview questions, and rehearse my responses. I'll also remember to showcase my strengths and be confident in my abilities. If I'm still feeling unprepared, I'll consider reaching out to a mentor or career coach for guidance and support.

Actually, I disagree with the idea that you need to manage stress. I’ve found it to be a very powerful motivator. When you feel the pressure, the weight of the moment, you’re forced to rise to the occasion. And that’s what makes you stand apart from the crowd. That’s what makes a memorable interview!

To reduce stress and prepare for an interview, I often write out responses to hypothetical questions they might ask, and I come up with questions to ask them about the role/company. If it is a Zoom interview, I keep these on a pad nearby. I keep a list of the names, titles and roles of all of my interviewers close at hand. I also often research my interviewers and make notes (went to this school, studied blah). Honestly, getting a haircut can also be very therapeutic. Sorry, no deep insights to share, but all of these are good for stress and interview preparation.

As an interviewee, we all prepare ourselves and go over past experiences and achievements tagging to the line items mentioned in our resume before an interview to make sure that we don't fumble or blank out. However, this reflection also helps develop a growth mindset and enhance decision-making. Reflecting on your past experiences allows you to build a repository of knowledge that you can draw upon in various situations, further enhance your decision-making abilities, boost your confidence, and develop a mindset of lifelong learning and development. Over time this accumulated knowledge becomes a valuable resource that aids you not only in a professional setting but also in personal.

I have found that in the lead up to the interview, I zone in on the importance of authentic storytelling. For every highlight in my resume that I expect may be asked about, I try and recall something that didn't go as well that might have ultimately been helpful to me in achieving the pride point listed in my resume.

Know why you want the role. Being clear will help you present yourself in a light relevant to the company and your experiences. Sometimes, we apply for jobs simply because we want to get out of a role that we no longer enjoy, and this means that we forget to show what truly drew us to this role/company / or team.

This can be connected to research, as when you promote yourself and discuss why you are a best fit for the role, you connect it to your personality, character traits and past achievements. This is a great way to convince the interviewer why they should consider you.

It is crucial to go through the basics of the job domain. Usually in the interview, they ask about basic concepts. Also, they may ask about some problems and how did you solve them. For example in ML job, they may ask "how did you deal with overfitting of the model?". It is important to prepare notes about what you have done and your achievements.

Start with deep breathes or a walk Research, research, research...the organization you are interviewing with and hot and trending topics in the field. Make bullet pointed notes of key topics Anticipate questions and prepare answers and review them over and over Get a good night's sleep, of course easier said than done!

My personal best practice is writing down at least five questions that I will ask the interviewing team - because I'm interviewing them, too! Questions about culture, processes, and how the team you'll be in functions are great and will tell you more about the people you'll potentially be working with on a daily basis. If all of the questions on your list are answered in the course of the interview, let them know that when they ask what questions you have. Asking about pay and benefits is generally something I wait to ask during the offer discussion, as that is the appropriate time to negotiate these items.

Prepping questions shows an interviewer that you're actually interested in the role and the organization. Asking questions specific to the role is wise, related to salary, benefits, (i.e. healthcare, retirement packages, etc.) and other perks. Moreover, asking questions about the organization more generally, such the work culture, appropriate dress, key dates to mark on the calendar, is also important, because it gives you a better idea of what you're getting yourself into, and whether it's a good fit for you.

It could also be helpful to think about what the interviewers are interested in, and then think about how you would approach the questions. Answering a question from multiple perspectives could be useful.

The power of thinking positive can go a long way. Remember who you are and why you are and go in there ready to be heard. This is just one more opportunity for you to showcase how well you align with the role and the organization and how you can help be a difference maker.

You need to go in with a killer mindset. Positive conditioning will help boost your level of confidence. In your mind you must conclude that the job is going to be yours. That kind of confidence will always shine through.

Envisage a positive outcome, if you have been shortlisted and you are being interviewed you are now in the best possible position to showcase yourself. Try to ignore things that you have no control over such as the performance, skills and background of other candidates. You won't always receive the outcome you hope for but it will always be a positive experience if you look at each opportunity as part of your journey, rather than the end.

Even if a job looks perfect on paper, you never know whether the company or team culture would suit your personality/values. Hence, it is important to remember that you are also assessing the panel through the questions they ask (that would help you feel less stressed!). I also like to prepare at least 2 questions related to the wider culture, the company's priorities, and values to assess whether I would enjoy being part of the workplace.

Be positive, confident and believe you are the best candidate for the position. If you lack confidence in your ability to land the job it will show in your interview. Back yourself, your skills and your experience.

Go through your materials, and if you think you have sufficient preparation, then go for a walk and take some rest. Being too stressful is not helpful in any interviews.

I very much want to stress the importance of seeing yourself in the role. I've been in interviews where the real difference in candidates was that one was able to showcase where they would go, what they would do, and who they would be in the role. They were forward-thinking in a way that wasn't unrealistic and showed an understanding of the initial learning period, along with the confidence to own their vision of the organization and the role. It doesn't need to be big and flashy but don't forget to speak of yourself and your skills in the present and future tense instead of just the past.

I don't understand this as a "real" question and here's why: if I applied for the job, I knew what I was applying for. That being said, and interview isn't an indication of how much you know about the company (everyone that's interviewing you knows about the company), it's about how much do you know/trust yourself. Think about the questing: How would you handle...; Tell me about a time when...; You indicated that you have experience.... An interview is designed for you to be able to sell/promote yourself. Noone can sell you bets then you.

I find it helpful to research beforehand and consider how the company/institute aligns with your immediate goals and perspective. Then you connect these directly to the mission and values of the company/institute. This is something you can anchor your interview on, as well as to support your application.

Anticipate any possible objections to your candidacy such as areas where you have less expertise and address them by discussing the skills you have that would enable you to excel in that part of the role. Specifically ask if there are any concerns about your background so you have a chance to address them before the interview concludes.