Job Anxiety & Interviews

[Ash_Atlantic]

I have had anxiety my whole life but it’s gotten worse as an adult. I’ve always been very shy and quiet so it’s very hard for me to meet new people and speak up.

I finished school 10 years ago and have worked at McDonald’s ever since. I really want to get a better job but I’m so incredibly terrified of even just going to an interview that whenever I apply for a job I just end up not doing the interview.

Recently, I had the chance to do an online video interview where the questions would come up on the screen and then it filmed my answers. Within 20 seconds of the first question I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t speak or think and I just panicked.

I don’t want to be so terrified anymore, no one will hire me if I can’t even speak during an interview. I don’t know who to talk to. Any suggestions would be helpful?

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Hi there and welcome to the forums 🙂

I have anxiety too, after being a shy child, so I can totally relate. And sometimes it seems so much easier to give in to the things that challenge us, but that just makes our world smaller, and I feel like you get that.

Do you have any strategies that you use to help with your anxiety? I'm not sure how your anxiety affects you on a daily basis but things like mindfulness, meditation and breathing exercises are all really helpful when practiced regularly.

In addition to that, practice and role play. Do it in front the mirror. Video yourself. Get a friend or relative to practice with you. All of that will make the process more familiar, and less scary. There's always going to be some level of nervousness involved. Most people get nervous. But if you accept that and go for it anyway, you're in a better position than if you don't. I hope that makes sense.

If anxiety is affecting other areas of your life, or you think you'd benefit from some professional help just in regard to this particular issue, you should also speak to your gp. They can refer you to someone in your area, who can help you with strategies to deal with your anxiety. This is literally the type of thing I talk to my psychologist about 🙂

best wishes, Katy

[OllieB]

Hi ash,

just wanted to say I completely understand what you are going through it took me a while to find the courage to leave my job at McDonalds and interview for other positions for the same reasons. I second what is said above with practice try whatever you can to keep going over interview questions and scenarios with whomever you can find. the more prepared you are the easier it will be also remember that the people interviewing you probably go through the same thing and more often than not they are completely understanding. Wishing you luck and courage in your job searching ollieb