Shy Interviewee

[jaax]

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I've been waitlisted at all three of the schools that i've interviewed at. I think it's because I get nervous and my voice gets kinda shaky when i interview. Anybody have any suggestions on how to fight this? Thanks.

 

[funkymunkytoes]

Curl your toes REALLY tightly (without being obvious about it). This focuses your attention on your straining muscles and relieves the shakiness in your legs--which helps with the shakiness in your voice! As you warm up and become comfortable, ease your legs. Good luck, and remember, they interview you because you're qualified. They should be shaky, not you!

 

[wurm]

Throw a couple back before the interview.

 

[stixx]

Just remember that even the most outgoing people get nervous at interviews.

 

[htownpremie]

i think most people are nervous at any interview. my voice starts off shaky too, although as the interview sort of "warms up" i get more comfortable talking to them. i think it helps to go over in your head sort of the things that you want to touch on if they ask a particular question... a lot of my interview prep involves reading the common questions and then going over how i would answer them in my head (i mean it sucks leaving and interview wishing that you had mentioned something). i think if you've thought it over, you're less prone to be nervous during the entire thing. every interviewer i've had (i've probably talked to nearly 30 docs on the interview trail) has been extremely nice; just talk to them like you are making a new friend 🙂

 

[Tellowman24]

everyone gets nervous, just gotta learn to handle it in your way

On the contrary, If your problem is that you are "shy" and therefore a "less appealing" applicant then you need to work on your interpersonal skills, maybe do some improv acting exercises or something that requires you to stretch your personality

 

[202781]

See an MD and get some beta blockers.

OR

just realize that you are awesome and that they are interviewing you for a reason. Just realize that you will be in their position in probably less than 10 years! Some of us will become student interviewers...

OR

Create an alter ego (like I did). Whenever I interviewed I was not "Sankondbest", I was Percy the Prick. who does not care about getting rejected, does not care about what other people think, is always cool, calm and collected.


...but hey, what do I know. I have only been accepted to ever school I have interviewed at (that has had time to make a decision).

 

[miiki21]

Think of it this way: they might be asking most of the questions, but it's not just a one-way interview. Take it as an opportunity to interview THEM - do you really want to go to their school? Do they have what you're looking for? That awful, aggressive question the interviewer just asked you - geez, doesn't she know that she's giving you a bad impression of the school? Sure, it might seem cocky, but it'll make you feel more in control of the situation.

Most importantly, go into interviews ready to tell them very honestly and forthrightly who you are. No excuses, no apologies. Don't focus on the few things that lacking in your application; think of everything you HAVE done - all those hours you've slaved away to get to where you are now. Be genuinely proud of all your achievements. It's all about getting into the right mindset!

 

[closer23]

Simply change your name to "Earnest". You're a shoo-in with that name, no matter your personality flaws.

 

[littlealex]

Don't think of it as a test. Think of it as a "let's get to know each other" kind of gig. You're really just sitting down and talking about yourself. Dominate the conversation; it's your show.

If you can gain that sense of control over the environment, you will cease being nervous.

 

[drelizabeth292]

Throw a couple back before the interview.

this works before a hot date as well!

 

[cbrons]

this works before a hot date as well!

asl plz

 

[cyclin M]

Actually your voice is the least bit of your concerns. Clasp your hands. We can control our voice and facial appearance, but your shaking hands will give you away. Clasp your hands to avoid this.

 

[Sora]

Bourbon!

 

[Bacchus]

All these tips are great, but interviewing confidence/success comes over a period of time and that time, to me, isn't just one application season.

 

[Abby_Normal]

If it's your voice that worries you, try focusing on taking deep breaths (so you support your voice).

Other than that, you might want to try practicing with someone. In other words, do a mock interview with a someone you know role playing the interviewer. Practice answering interview-type questions can build confidence. (disclaimer: I don't recall having ever tried this personally, but I've heard it recommended.)

 

[calnation]

Try to use the nervous energy and make it useful. I hate getting nervous. But usually somehow, magically, I do better when I'm nervous. When I'm confident, I'm more likely to overlook things, and let things slip. But when I'm nervous, I'm alert and fully concentrated.

If it's getting too much though, one option is to go see a doctor and ask for a prescription for a few valiums or something.

 

[jackson1]

Is there anyone you could practice with? They could ask you difficult questions so you could feel more confident when the actual interview comes around

 

[MadEvans]

My throat gets dry when I have interviewed. It must be because I'm nervous, but I don't feel nervous or get shaky. Weird. Maybe I should drink some water right before, but I don't want to be doing the pee pee dance while sitting in the interview chair.

 

[SiR99]

Smile 🙂

Make eye contact the whole time

dont stutter, speak slow enough so that you dont sound like your rambling on, but fast enough so that you dont sound weird.

Show that your confident in youself and that you dont get easily influenced or broken down by others.

One thing nobody likes is a push over who is easily influenced by others and doesnt have a backbone to present themself with confidence.

 

[erskine]

just practice interviewing and it gets easier.

One thing i've discovered in interviews is that if you have questions of your own about the program, school, whatever, and ask them to the interviewer, then the entire process becomes more of a conversation rather than a stilted question-response thing since both of you contribute. It breaks down a lot of the formality and both you and the interviewer will feel more at ease.

 

[deleted74029]

Unless its really bad they probably don't notice anyway.

 

[funkydrmonkey]

My throat gets dry when I have interviewed. It must be because I'm nervous, but I don't feel nervous or get shaky. Weird. Maybe I should drink some water right before, but I don't want to be doing the pee pee dance while sitting in the interview chair.

That happened to me at one of my interviews, and my interviewer then proceeded to go outside and get some water for me... I still have not heard back from the school yet...

 

[MadEvans]

That happened to me at one of my interviews, and my interviewer then proceeded to go outside and get some water for me... I still have not heard back from the school yet...

Yeah, me neither. 👎

 

[JackInTheBox]

Actually your voice is the least bit of your concerns. Clasp your hands. We can control our voice and facial appearance, but your shaking hands will give you away. Clasp your hands to avoid this.

I tend to use my hands a lot when I'm talking, so I guess that's another way to hide any shaking.

 

[MadEvans]

Make eye contact the whole time

One thing nobody likes is a push over who is easily influenced by others and doesnt have a backbone to present themself with confidence.

I don't make eye contact the WHOLE time. However, too little is definitely a recipe for disaster.

I always get worried on whether I should take the conservative/liberal side on things just because it's so apparent that my interviewer is a staunch conservative/liberal himself... or at least try to lean moderate. I had one interviewer attack my fairly liberal stance on an issue with, "but do you REALLY feel that way?" without providing any counter-argument. Like a coward, I did lean a little bit more moderate after the slight hazing. 🙂

 

[scrubsaresexy]

I'm a singer so when I'm nervous and my voice shakes during performances...it's really noticable. One of my old voice teachers taught me a really effective technique. Breathe in through your nose and then sort of let out a sigh that sort of sounds likes "ahhhh." It's not a voiced thing, but more of like a really relaxed sigh. As you do it, your shoulders and chest should relax. Do that a couple of times before you go into the room and it'll help you gain a little more control over your sympathetic nervous system.

You might also google techniques to combat stage fright because in all honesty, its the same thing.

 

[pazan]

Just imagine the interviewer is a patient.

 

[merlinwall]

Too much emphasis on the interview! 3 Waitlists is 3 waitlists. As far as I can tell the majority of the decision is based on your file. The interview is to nudge applicants toward or away from admissions. Just a nudge.

Think of it that way. The interview is nerve wrecking as hell. But at the end of the day your file determines your fate. If you can go into the interview knowing that, you'll be a lot more calm and enjoyable to speak to.

 

[MonkeyChow]

My voice does the exact same thing. Very aggravating. But rather than thinking "my voice is shaking, my voice is shaking, I sound so nervous" during the interview I try to focus on what I want to say and just ignore my voice. I also force myself to smile. For some reason, when I am smiling I start to relax.

That has worked for me. I have been accepted everywhere I have interviewed so far. For me (a shy person) I try to act like the person I want to come across as: sincere, confident, etc. and it seems to work. I know Beyonce does something similar when she performs. I figure if it works for her, why not me?