nervous interviewer Forum

[BLhopefulX51]

For the anxious among us, how do you guys deal with nerves when it comes to interviews?

[hpocket]

best bet is to schedule the ones you care about most for later in the week. i am an extremely nervous interviewer too, but after you do 15 in a row it loses its edge. Later in the day also works for that, but that has the major disadvantage of everyone being so tired and sick of having the same conversations over and over.

EDIT: Assuming you're talking about OCI. If non-OCI interviews, the only thing I can say is do as many interviews as possible. Practice--my school had a mock interview program, where you would go to an actual office and get interviewed by an attorney there and they'd give feedback. I wish I had done more mock interviews. It really does help with the nerves.

[Anonymous User]

also--betablockers work wonders. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch ... er/535845/

i used to be awful at interviewing and these have changed my life. no side effects, and no psychological effect (so you're still you, just without the physical manifestations of anxiety.)

[Anonymous User]

I like to remind myself that this is the easiest 'test' I'll take since it's based on information I literally lived through

I like to remember that the interviewer is a human with human emotions that has lived a human life

And of course, the worst case scenario is you don't get the job meaning nothing more than you pick yourself up and try again... no death or destruction has taken place--no loss really, and tbh maybe I [you, we?] would have hated that place and it's for the better

Also, a lot of practice is extremely beneficial. Anecdotally, after I graduated from UG I interviewed about 11 or 12 places and final rounded I think 10 of them (but didn't get offered). This meant I interviewed with well over 100 people in person and probably about 10-20 over the phone. The first ones were terrifying, but by the end it was nothing, just another day. I know my school does mock interviews; sign up for those or force your friends/family to mock interview you

[Anonymous User]

As someone who used to be extremely nervous during interviews, and has landed three legal jobs (as a lateral, etc.) the best advice I ever received was to just take it easy, listen, and don't try to sell yourself too hard. I've been involved in hiring decisions, and from the other side, I always notice the try-hards who are clearly waiting for their opportunity to spout off about how they got all As in law school, worked on journal, etc. If you're interviewing, the firm knows your credentials. Don't bring stuff up like that unless it flows naturally or they ask. Generally, just try to be cool. law firm interviews are kind of like meeting a tinder match. The firm already has a baseline of interest, so just try to get to know each other and hopefully you don't get ghosted.

That said, I recognize there are some people who have an extremely hard time just "being cool" during high-stress times. If you fall into that camp, I'd suggest doing a ton of practice interviews, and, if time permits, apply for firms you probably wouldn't want to work at so you can practice in the real-world. I know that's not a very "cool" thing to do, but it helps. Also, consider therapy. If you find yourself having an unreasonable amount of anxiety, I'd suggest talking with someone. There are drugs you can take, but the issue won't go away. What will you do when you have to argue in court, or talk to the managing partner, or whatever? You need to deal with the underlying cause.

[Anonymous User]

also--betablockers work wonders. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch ... er/535845/

i used to be awful at interviewing and these have changed my life. no side effects, and no psychological effect (so you're still you, just without the physical manifestations of anxiety.)

Former professional performer in an industry where beta blockers were used to curb stage fright. Don't fuck with beta blockers if they're not prescribed to you.

[Anonymous User]

also--betablockers work wonders. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch ... er/535845/

i used to be awful at interviewing and these have changed my life. no side effects, and no psychological effect (so you're still you, just without the physical manifestations of anxiety.)

How did you get it? I can't just go to a psychiatrist and say "I want this drug."

[hoos89]

also--betablockers work wonders. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch ... er/535845/

i used to be awful at interviewing and these have changed my life. no side effects, and no psychological effect (so you're still you, just without the physical manifestations of anxiety.)

This is just reckless advice. Every drug has side effects. https://www.everydayhealth.com/beta-blockers/guide/

[Anonymous User]

sorry, poster here who suggested betablockers. I should have said I have not experienced any side effects, so you're right, that was misleading. Didn't intend it to be.
You can visit your regular doctor and they will prescribe them, it doesn't have to be a psychiatrist. Good luck!

Edit: as far as how to get them,I just explained I was a very nervous interviewer and a friend had suggested betablockers for all forms of public speaking and I wanted to try them. I can't imagine you'll have to do much more than that.

[shock259]

Tons of people on this forum jump on the beta blocker/take a shot before the interview/whatever train. But I think the best, healthiest long-term answer is to just get experience interviewing. Very few people are born good interviewers, just like very few people are naturally great public speakers. Getting nervous is very normal. But having positive experiences can help you lessen the effects. Do mock interviews, get tons of networking coffees/lunches, ask for informational interviews with people, etc.

It won't totally nullify the effects, but practice and positive experiences can make something that was debilitating more of a slight discomfort. And without the hassle/side effects of drugs or other quick tricks.

[Anonymous User]

also--betablockers work wonders. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch ... er/535845/

i used to be awful at interviewing and these have changed my life. no side effects, and no psychological effect (so you're still you, just without the physical manifestations of anxiety.)

This is just reckless advice. Every drug has side effects. https://www.everydayhealth.com/beta-blockers/guide/

Beta blockers work wonders for interviews, public speaking engagements, etc. I remember randomly reading about them a while ago in regards to performance anxiety.

I figured I would give them a try because I got the worst performance anxiety. I spoke to my doctor about it and he gave me a prescription for propranolol. They have truly helped tremendously, and I've noticed no negative side effects. I rarely take them; only when faced with some type of public speaking engagement.

It's worth looking into.

[hoos89]

also--betablockers work wonders. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch ... er/535845/

i used to be awful at interviewing and these have changed my life. no side effects, and no psychological effect (so you're still you, just without the physical manifestations of anxiety.)

This is just reckless advice. Every drug has side effects. https://www.everydayhealth.com/beta-blockers/guide/

Beta blockers work wonders for interviews, public speaking engagements, etc. I remember randomly reading about them a while ago in regards to performance anxiety.

I figured I would give them a try because I got the worst performance anxiety. I spoke to my doctor about it and he gave me a prescription for propranolol. They have truly helped tremendously, and I've noticed no negative side effects. I rarely take them; only when faced with some type of public speaking engagement.

It's worth looking into.

That you have not suffered noticeable side effects does not mean that the drug doesn't have potential side effects.

[Anonymous User]

also--betablockers work wonders. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch ... er/535845/

i used to be awful at interviewing and these have changed my life. no side effects, and no psychological effect (so you're still you, just without the physical manifestations of anxiety.)

This is just reckless advice. Every drug has side effects. https://www.everydayhealth.com/beta-blockers/guide/

Beta blockers work wonders for interviews, public speaking engagements, etc. I remember randomly reading about them a while ago in regards to performance anxiety.

I figured I would give them a try because I got the worst performance anxiety. I spoke to my doctor about it and he gave me a prescription for propranolol. They have truly helped tremendously, and I've noticed no negative side effects. I rarely take them; only when faced with some type of public speaking engagement.

It's worth looking into.

That you have not suffered noticeable side effects does not mean that the drug doesn't have potential side effects.

Okay?

[hoos89]

also--betablockers work wonders. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch ... er/535845/

i used to be awful at interviewing and these have changed my life. no side effects, and no psychological effect (so you're still you, just without the physical manifestations of anxiety.)

This is just reckless advice. Every drug has side effects. https://www.everydayhealth.com/beta-blockers/guide/

Beta blockers work wonders for interviews, public speaking engagements, etc. I remember randomly reading about them a while ago in regards to performance anxiety.

I figured I would give them a try because I got the worst performance anxiety. I spoke to my doctor about it and he gave me a prescription for propranolol. They have truly helped tremendously, and I've noticed no negative side effects. I rarely take them; only when faced with some type of public speaking engagement.

It's worth looking into.

That you have not suffered noticeable side effects does not mean that the drug doesn't have potential side effects.

Okay?

So don't tell people it doesn't have side effects?