my problem isn't work quality, it's interviews

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Oh, this subject is the bane of my existence! Two years out of work, about 12 interviews and still sitting around on my arse contributing no value whatsoever to society.

Nan has it just right, I might even cut and paste some of that into my cover letters. It's especially hard for a Brit like me to be American, brash, outgoing, giving the hard sell to the interviewers. I cringe when I write words like 'I strongly believe I am the best candidate for the job'.

Yes, like others I'd love to be brutally honest and see their reactions. I usually get like that after a run of duff interviews. But like people say, it's all a huge game, we just have a rule book with the vital pages torn out.

There are times when you get the feeling they've already made up their minds, perhaps they had an internal candidate or something, and don't really try and hide their annoyance of having to go through the rigmarole of interviewing you. For example, I recently interviewed for a pretty low-end, part-time (18 hours a week) clerical job, and when I asked a question at the end the panel member sighed in that 'do I have to answer that' way.

I don't know if it's an American thing, or the bad economy, or both, but once you've been given the bad news, companies will not give you any feedback. Back in the UK, I would always ask for, and get feedback, some more useful than others, and one place even rang me up to offer feedback. Here in the US you're fobbed off left-right and centre, they just want you to leave them alone. And then, of course, you go into the next interview and make all the same mistakes, whatever they are.

I had started out with all sorts of points, but, like my answers to interview questions, it's just spiralled out of control and ended up as a useless ramble.

I had the same problem for a year out of college. My poor social skills & lack of charisma couldn't charm anyone, even prospective employers whom I thought would be more objective.

What worked was when I brought in samples of my previous work. Being a computer draftsman, I could easily display my skill by bringing a portfolio of my drawings showing my skills with concrete evidence. I knew I was on the right track when doing this for the first time led to longest & most intense interview yet. Before it was just a series of "talking" interviews where I answered stock questions for half an hour which always ended in failure. I didn't get the job on that first good interview, but I did the same thing for the next one & did that time.

If you can't speak well, let your work speak for you.

For me, there is also a personal issue with interviews.

From AS and other factors, I've had a lot of REJECTION in my life. The job application process is just a giant pot that gets stirred up from the work to fill out the application, to the interview, to the result. A lot of emotional pain from years of past rejection come to the surface and need to be dealt with. That's why I hate the process so much. I've never been hired for being "the best." I've always gotten the job because I was there and the employer was desperate. This being "inferior" factor is a major reason I hate the whole process. I know I'm a good worker. I know I have a lot to offer, but the hiring process makes me feel worthless more than anything else.

I was actually the second choice for a few jobs. The person they brought in didn't work out, or left in a huff, or left for a better job almost immediately, etc., and they were left with me because everyone else had moved on. So they gave me a shot, and I did well for them.

Too bad it has to be that way, so often.

Well, you sound like you've had quite some interviews. List all the questions and take all the time you want to think of answers to them. Then practice in a mirror. Or better, practice with someone else. Like a play. Because that's what it is. Even for NT's, but for them, it comes more natural.

Oh and: practice with an NT, multiple NT's, ask them what they think about your answers and what you should improve.

Reading this thread has given me some motivation to write a new cover letter this morning. There's a job opening in an entry level position and I've been putting off applying because I was certain it would be a waste of time. Getting an interview is one thing, but executing it fills be with debilitating anxiety.

Try and try again, you all say? Sounds like a plan