Not feeling ready

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Often I don't feel ready - for example talking on the phone, I need to be having a good day, get ready with a cup of tea, nice tidy flat, prepare myself, but even then if I don't feel ready I can't manage. Doing anything like this requires planetary alignment and flying pork.

I *might* have a chance for an interview - had an email yesterday offering an interview for a job starting next week, retail assistant over Christmas at a department store, it's a job and as I'm long-term unemployed (3 years 9 months) it may be hugely beneficial.

I don't feel ready because it's not a job I want so I'm not in the right mind-set, it's temporary so will cause hassle with sorting out benefits, I'm not sure how it will effect my going after the career I want (may cause problems with my trying to get funding for my security licence), and I'm not sure I can manage the interview let alone the job itself. I also won't feel confident because I don't have a suit that fits and my bathroom has just been replaced and I don't feel comfortable taking a bath in there yet.

I'm not used to interviews, I've had four jobs; three I was head-hunted for so interviews were nothing more than informal chat (one interview was nothing but a religious discussion - my 'special interest' at the time, I had just finished religious studies and philosophy at college, and my boss was an ex-priest with a PhD in religion, so a dream interview!), and one I had to interview for but it was only a part-time supermarket job I had while I was at college so A. not important if I hadn't got it so less pressure, and B. a long time ago. If I get an interview it will likely be tomorrow, which gives me no time to prepare and messes with my whole routine for the next couple of days.

It's not excuses - but I'm sure other people will be of the opinion that it's just that - I'm just really worried that I'll have a meltdown during the interview or generally will feel hugely uncomfortable and not just fail to get the job but also knock my confidence even further and make things all the more difficult for myself. If I do get the job I'm not sure how I'll cope working in retail.

I know I've got to try, but I don't know how to change how I feel.
Anyone else know how I'm feeling, anyone have any tips?

Oh wow, this is me EXACTLY.........it often takes me a week to work up to making a phone call I have to make I have to prepare myself, get myself in the right mindset, and everything else has to be perfectly organized BEFORE I start on phone calls or important appointments/paperwork. So that means I am obsessively cleaning/tidying/organizing EVERYTHING in the house and in my life leading up to me doing what I am dreading. I drive myself nuts.

Anyway Bloodheart, probably crappy advice but this is what I do, I would suggest trying not to look at the overall entire situation which can overwhelm you and break it down into steps. (And yes, I know how hard it is not to think about it all and go into panic mode) Don't think about how you will cope with the job UNTIL you actually HAVE the job. So firstly, concentrate on the interview. As it is only a temporary job, don't fret too much about it, if you do end up having a meltdown during the interview, well so what? It's not your dream job and it is temporary. If you think the interview may be tomorrow then start preparing NOW, yes it will mess up your routine but it will also be over and done before you know it and then you can start thinking about the next step.

I certainly am NOT of the opinion that you are making excuses, I understand only too well the significant amount of anxiety situations like this bring. Good Luck and let us know how it goes

You've described me too!
It takes me ages and ages to make myself make a phonecall, normally I have to write down exactly what I'm going to say. If they say anything other than what I've prepared for, I freeze and don't know what to say. I have to be in the right mindset, too. Listened to my favourite music many many times, told myself "I can do this" many many times and cuddled my cuddly toys too. I'm not good at taking calls either, prefer to text as can express myself in slower time.
With interviews, I get sooo nervous I turn up very early and then get more nervous waiting. I try to do as FaeryEthereal suggests: taking one stage at a time and not thinking about the whole overall situation.

From my point of view, you're not making excuses.
Good luck.

Yes, Faery's advice is very good.

I have trouble with phone calls too, and building confidence before interviews. I think I just used to pretend I was a stage actor or something, and I said what people wanted to hear.

I'm particular about my baths as well. I'm lucky to have a renovated apartment. I had an internship in Florida once where I couldn't check out the housing before I went, though, and the bath was pretty nasty. I just got some bleach cleaner and tried to pretend the concrete (or whatever it was streaking the tub) wasn't there, and I stuck to showers.