Finally got an interview and I am nervous!!

@messageme (2821)
United States
February 10, 2009 9:59am CST
I don't even remember the last time I got an interview. I have been a stay at home mom for so long. I have been applying at places and no one even calls me for an interview. Now I finally got one and I am so nervous that I am scared I am going to screw it up! I really need this job and I don't want to screw it up. How do you get past the nervousness part so that they don't see it? Dress to impress, How do I do that? It's for a factory, but I was still told that because I guess the guy doing the hiring is really picky...What do I wear? How do I act calm when Im not? Please help, I need this job!!!
10 people like this
42 responses
@hopejordan (3561)
• Australia
10 Feb 09
hi there messageme i like to say congrats to you that you got your interview finally and i hope you get the job too you know how its hard to find work at the moment like the econmy. take care and hope you get that job.
2 people like this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Make sure you wear something you are comfortable in..to put yourself at ease...take deep breaths before going in....and good luck honey! I hope you get the job!
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Thank you very much!
@messageme (2821)
• United States
11 Feb 09
thank you very much!
@moneymommy (3418)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Congrats on your interview! I also have an interview today. Not for the type of job that I am really looking for. But at this point I will take anything. Build yourself up before your interview. Think of all your positive characteristics. Why will you be the best employee they ever had? Think of all the positive things you can bring to the position. Don'T think negative just keep telling yourself you will get the job. Dress neat and clean fix your hair nice. Don'T use to much makeup and not to much perfume. If you dont have a pair of dress slacks or skirt and blouse. Just wear your best outfit and make sure its clean and not wrinkled. Best of all smile and keep eye contact when you speak. Good luck!
@messageme (2821)
• United States
11 Feb 09
It's not really the job I want either, but like you said I will take anything right now. Thanks for the advice and also good luck to you too in your interview!
@Humbug25 (12540)
10 Feb 09
Hi ya messageme Well first of congratulations with getting an interview it doesn't sound as if that was easy in the first place! I too am a stay at home mum and I will be forced by the government out to work when my youngest is 7 years old which isn't for another 3 years yet but I know how quickly that time passes. I wish you all the best with the interview and the only advice I would give you is to try and stay calm and be yourself, don't pretend to be someone you most certainly are not. Easier said than done I know so good luck with it and make sure you update us with the outcome. When is the interview by the way?
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
10 Feb 09
As he will then be in full time school and I guess the government see no reason why I shouldn't be out working at to a point they are right but I refuse to be forced into employment that I don't want to do. Wednesday? What tomorrow or next week?
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
11 Feb 09
Did they when exactly when they would be getting back to you? If I were you I would just forget about it for now and get ready for your next interview or else it will do your head in thinking about it. You may get several job offers from your interviews, then you will be at liberty to chose which one you really want to go for! Good luck and I hope you hear from them soon with a positive answer for you, be sure to let me know!! Take care!
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Wed. morning. I will let you know how it goes and thank you for the advice! Why do you have to get work when your son turns 7? Just curious.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Feb 09
just go be your self.don't let the interviewer unset you.he is only doing his job.if they didn't need people they would not be interviewing.i am not sure about the dressing thing.but,if it is a factory you need to weir pants.be ready to start working the minute you walk in the door.I send you my best wishes. I am sure every think will work out.
2 people like this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Thank you very much for the advice. Everything helps!
@msplay20 (40)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Interviews can be very nerve wrecking at times but just relax and you'll be fine. Dress for the job you want and not for the job you got has always been a motto that I have went by. I've always been told that regardless of what type of job it is, it is still appropriate to dress in business clothing when going to an interview, but that is totally up to you. Just go in the interview with confidence and show him that you are the right person for the job. Good luck and I am sure you will do fine.
@messageme (2821)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Thanks for the advice!
@ddfreedie (690)
• India
11 Feb 09
congrats first... stay cool...never try to showoff...answer to the questions asked...be precise in ur answer....accept u donno if u really donno the answer...try to keep the interviewr in the field which u know...all the vvery best...hope u get selected...
2 people like this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Thank you!
• United States
12 Feb 09
I don't think there is a way to get over being nervous about a job interview. When I interviewed for the job I now have, I walked in and was blunt with the interviewer. I told her that I was sorry I appeared to be nervous, but I was. I also told her that I wish I didn't appear to be desperate but I couldn't help it. I needed a job and would do whatever was needed to secure one. I was hired.
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
12 Feb 09
WOW! I thought if I looked to desperate they wouldn't like that! OR maybe it was the fact that you were blunt and told them you desperately needed the job. HUmmm interesting! Thanks!
@paulsy (1263)
• Philippines
12 Feb 09
Wow, I guess I'm quite late for this now huh? Anyway, how was it? I hope it went well. I'm like you, I usually get so nervous before an interview. But I try so hard to hide my nervousness. I would wear something formal, or a business attire so I could make myself presentable. I hope your interview turned out good. Best of luck!
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
12 Feb 09
I felt like it was cut short. I don't know if that was a good think or a bad thing. he talked to me for less than 2 minutes! So today I am sitting here waiting for the call. He said he would let me know, but didn't say when. I hate that!
@paulsy (1263)
• Philippines
12 Feb 09
Well, I wish you the best... I hope you get the job!
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
10 Feb 09
come on now , u can do this. just remember who u are & noone is any better than you, put on a nice pair of pants & a pretty blouse, i would think would be fine & blow thm away . good luck. let me know how it goes.
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Thanks for the confindent builder, I really need it! I will let you know!
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
11 Feb 09
you go, girl.
1 person likes this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Always look well-dressed, no matter the company. It is best to look like you are serious about the job. Where something you would wear to court to be a witness!! LOL Here is a link with dos and don'ts on doing a job interview. I think it will help a lot. http://www.quintcareers.com/interviewing-dos-donts.html
1 person likes this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
11 Feb 09
I am only too happy to help. I know what it is like to be nervous with a job interview.
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
11 Feb 09
wow thanks for the link, it is very helpful!
1 person likes this
@sunil_008 (1269)
• India
11 Feb 09
Hi pose as sexy sexy as you can in the interview and let's see what happens then. i am sure the job will be yours. when he asks you for why you were not working for so long answer him that i never got much time from my husband and his..that was dirty joke. don't be nervous pretend that you need the job but you are best for it. dress in a way where he will find you not far behind from the co=workers in the factory.since he's picky so just make one aspect of your personality which you thing is the best in you as flashy as you can...show him that you are a woman of substance...:)
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
12 Feb 09
Some just need to have a sense of humor. I also have many girlfriends that would take that offensive, but I don't think they have a sense of humor either!
@messageme (2821)
• United States
11 Feb 09
That is what my boyfriend said too. Dress sexy, show clevage and then I won't even have to do the interview they will just hire....Men, what to do with them! Thanks for the advice!
@sunil_008 (1269)
• India
11 Feb 09
WELL, that's the first thing which comes to mind of a man...i know someone in this world when she will hear those words that i had written to you will make her just mad about me again...well I don't think anything wrong in it if you have such statistics in your figure then why not to take advantage from it.though we will know that that won't be fair.but,imagine it in the opposite way what if a man would have to face a woman in the interview. and he's told that woman is picky...:)
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Feb 09
I see you got some really great advice so far, but I still wanted to wish you good luck with the interview, and hope that it all goes well for you. I have not been on an interview in many years myself and would be so nervous too. Good luck!!
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
12 Feb 09
Thank you very much!
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
11 Feb 09
Hi, just a few tips from the interviewer standpoint. 1. Smile a lot, from the moment you see the security guard. 2. Speak clearly and calmly, dont panic and speak too fast. 3. Firm handshake and look at the interview. 4. Answer THE questions. And answer positively, don't commit too much, but MUST answer positively. For example, if the interviewer asks "Can you work ovetime?" Instead of giving Yes or No answer, consider saying "I will ensure my family commitments won't interfere with my work."
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
11 Feb 09
That's a good answer I will have to keep that in mind. I have a tendency to speak really quite, that is one thing I will probably need to work on. I think it shows weakness when you don't speak up. Could I be wrong? Thanks for the great advice!
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
12 Feb 09
Some people are gentle and quiet. But no matter what, when the interviewer ask about how "you do this, why you do that". The candidate must answer in a clear and confident voice. Because the interviewer wants to know the work ethics, the technical know-how and the reliability of the candidate. The worst possible answer for "why you do it" is "because my boss says so, I also dont know why". The second worst possible answer is to maintain silence.
1 person likes this
@jimbo88 (231)
• Indonesia
10 Feb 09
You are right. Interview can make people nervous.It just a feeling, but it can make people lost their job. I have sister who nervous in an interview, so she don't have a job in there.Everything is more better if we don't get nervous and panic.
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Thanks, now I will be even more nervous I hope I can calm myself before I have to go in there.
@jimbo88 (231)
• Indonesia
12 Feb 09
good luck.
1 person likes this
@34momma (13882)
• United States
11 Feb 09
don't be nervous. just go in there be yourself, look them in the eye, and go for it. breath, smile, and just know no matter what you are going to do your very best. if you believe you can do it then you will! good luck
@messageme (2821)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Thank you, I also believe that if you think you can, you will! Thanks for the confidence.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
11 Feb 09
well sometimes the person that is interviewing is just as nervous as you are, plus, i think most take alloweneces and know that you are going to be nervous. wear some type of jacket and either a pair of pants or skirt. also, look on the net for interview tips.
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Some people have gave me links so I will definitly be looking at those. Thanks for the advice, you are right they probably are nervous too, but it seems they hide it so well. Thanks again!!
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Good luck with your interview! The best advice that I can give you is to act like you are confident with yourself. I used to be a store manager and I know that I would more likely hire someone who walked in confidently than someone that I could tell was not sure of themselves.
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
12 Feb 09
Thanks for the advice!
@vicky30 (4766)
• India
12 Feb 09
Yes i too get nervous when i am called for interviews.But when i go there the HR are very friendly with me.Though they don't take me for the job.They speak in a nice and friendly way.You have to speak with confidence in front of an interviewer.You should not panic in a tough situation.Everything will go fine if you are cool and answer the questions well.
@messageme (2821)
• United States
12 Feb 09
Thanks for the advice! I think my voice is always friendly...well, to those I don't know!
• United States
11 Feb 09
Well first try to be yourself and make sure you ask questions. This is always a good thing to do in a interview. Ask questions about the job and make sure you sound intreseted in the job as well. Never ask about the hourly pay and all that this is a no no on a interview. I would wear a nice tshirt and some really nice jeans. You do not want to dress up too much for a factory job or they will think that you are too good for the job. i have had a lot of factory jobs and this is what I have done to get the job. Also do some reasearch online about the company as well so they know you are interested in what they do as well. I hope this helps you out. And congrats I hope you get the job.
@messageme (2821)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Thanks for the great advice!
@giay0422 (60)
• Philippines
11 Feb 09
In a job interview, of course its necessary to dress properly for professional appearance but don't overdo it. Relax and forget the nervousness by telling yourself that "I believe in myself, and I can do it". Good Luck.
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Thanks for the advice!