Pre-Interview Jitters

Post Reply New Topic

I can't sleep because I have them. The interview isn't until Tuesday, and I finished my prep work for an already arranged weekend trip. I still find it nerve wracking, especially since I'm selling a strategy as part of my interview. I think my employers will like me personally, but will they like my plan? Have I figured out the nuts and bolts of my plan? Even if they like it, what's to stop them from adopting the plan and implementing it by themselves? Oh, how I do try too hard to make it in the NT world sometimes!

Not a big fan of drug use, but have you considered a shot of booze about 30 minutes before the interview to help you relax? Be prepared to use some mouthwash afterward.

Not enough to smell of booze, but just enough to take the edge off.

The shot of booze could work well, unless the interviewers smell it on your breath. It isn't something I would personally risk.

I would settle for some kind of relaxation or meditation technique beforehand. Good luck! Remember it's okay if you feel nervous during an interview; I think that's normal. If you can find a way to portray yourself confidently, that's the best bet.

Thanks, guys. I think I will be okay. I am just worried because I invested more resources than I have ever done for any interview. I am interviewing a non-profit organization. They were all-volunteer until very recently, and its possible they may think I want to be a volunteer, too (I don't). I am also worried because I am not applying for a specific job description. They need my expertise, and I am delivering a detailed plan to let them see how my expertise will help them. Then again, they may not have the budget for me, and probably cannot invest in anything too pricey. Not that I am pricey, but a year's labor costs more than, say, a LAN or copier or another productivity-enhancing investment.

Nevertheless, they have a mission I strongly believe in, and I truly believe we will like each other personally. They may offer me something like pt work or contract work, and I may take it in this economy. Given that I know my plan will make productivity skyrocket, pt work may lead to something more substantial.

Hi Lotuspuppy

Great to hear you have an interview, some say that the hard part is getting the interview! If you have gotten this far then they ARE interested in you. Even if you have to take voluntary remember its something on your cv/resume that other potential employers will like (the fact you are prepared to work without moentary gain shoes high motivation and team work), and its experience you can point to as well - particularly if you lead a project/initiative from its "birth". My experience is that employers want people who can implement ideas more than people with ideas so this would be a good way to show you can do this. Plus it will keep your brain active and mean there is less of a gap on your CV. Its always easier to get a job when you already have one!

As regards nerves, theres not much advice I can give there other than whats the worst that can happen? They say no and you apply for something else, its not the end of the world (although it does feel like it), and besides you just got more interview experience! Diaphramatic breathing can help as well. It DOES get easier with experience (I only loose the 1 nights sleep now and not weeks for example). I would recommend you stay away from booze on the same day (though a beer or two the night before may help you sleep particularly if mentally exhausted from worrying but no more than this as you need a clear head) as tbh you dont know what way your stressed aspie head will react to alcohol under so much pressure, plus if your anything like me you will start worrying about the alcohol as well.

Another thing I do is find something else to stop my brain becoming obsessed. Listening to music for example works well for me as I respond well to that type of stimulation. Im also lucky in that I drive so I often go out in the car to take my mind of things as it is the one thing that will stop me obsessing over things as it requires my full concentration (or I die basically!). Find something you like doing and relax - even if relaxing to you is configuring firewalls or programming or something. Also re the budget thing, while its true what you say about the physical things they could buy instead to raise productivity you need to remember that a LAN is only as good as the person who configures it! Likewise with other physical and hardware items. As my dad used to say "if you put crap into a computer, you will only get crap out of a computer" which is your selling point - you can make what they already have work better for them and continue to do so.

Good Luck!! !

I read somewhere that the 'feeling', chemicals, etc associated with fear are identical to those for excitement, and the only difference is how we label them. We label it 'fear' and are therefore afraid. Label it 'excitement' and we become excited.

Try and convince yourself that you're excited. A job interview rah! rah! rah!

Interview begins in less than 24 hours. I have never been so excited before!