Job interview

[sad-artist]

Hi I'm 19, female I'm an artist / waitress I'm on Centrelink. My job help lady told me to apply for a job apprentice administration . I'm way under qualified you need to know how to use computer programs like excel and I don't know. I'm good with people but I am shy. I have an interview and feel like I don't want the job. It is something I want to get into but I feel like I want to do a few short courses so I'm better suited to it. I have to attend the interview as I'm on benefits. The job is 38 hours a week is starts middle of January. It's a great opportunity but I don't feel like I'm qualified for it yet. Plus I have anxiety. What should I do or does anyone have words of wisdom

[romantic_thi3f]

Hey sad-artist,

Thanks for your post. Sorry Centrelink are being a pain; I know how frustrating that can be.

You said in your post that it was a job apprentice administration. If it's an apprenticeship, that's great - because it means that they'll be training you as you go. The good thing about apprenticeships is that people tend to work with you one on one, so you won't be shoved in the deep end. They also won't expect you to know a lot, and if you don't know a lot about Excel that's fine too because they'll be there to teach you.

As for what to do now; well you could try and work on your anxiety - like maybe relaxation techniques or mindfulness as this can be great. Try to remind yourself that it's okay if you don't know and it's okay if you feel scared. They'll be people around that can support you and will be there with you. When I applied for my first job I had to deal with money and I was really scared of that but it was just about taking it one step at a time.

If you're still interested in doing courses you could try something like www.udemy.com - they often have really cheap ones for beginners ($15) and can be great for your Resume too.

[Croix]

Dear Sad Artist

All that romantic_thi3f has said is very true, plus also-

Going for interview is daunting and that can color your thinking a little. As a person who taught newbies (nurses) to use computers for a long time I can assure you the basics aren't that bad.

Look at it this way-

If you looked at the street directory of a big city - say Melbourne - you could quite rightly be overwhelmed with all the streets railways, utilities etc. and think you could never navigate your way around.

On the other hand if you needed to get from Swanson Street Station to the Museum someone could give you directions and it would be easy (unless you got distracted by the shops of course:). The point is you only needed to know how to do one job - go from Station to Museum.

Excel and the other programs like Word are the same - you get to know a task or two, and that's all you need, the masses and masses of other stuff just doesn't come into the picture.

There are lots of free tutorials on the web for Excel - pick one to perhaps learn to enter and add a column of numbers. You will see its not so bad. If you have no software then Google has a free on-line spread sheet application that is much the same as basic Excel

In other matters you are already capable of setting down something in a clear understandable manner - your post above does this - so don't undersell your own existing abilities.

Job interview technique is not something I know about, but it is a problem faced by millions, see if you can find someone else to give you some pointers if you feel the need.

Good luck with it all and don't forget you can come back here anytime, now or in the future

Croix

[MsPurple]

Hi sad-artist. Congrats on getting the interview. That is half the battle. It can be hard getting an interview. And I agree romantic, it is an apprentaship so they are will (and want) to train you up on the job.

I am also at a point where I am applying for permenant work and starting to get interviews. I always get anxious and stressed beforehand. I find once there I am a lot more comfortable. Even thought interviews are always nerve racking, you need to remember being nervous is a normal response. All interviewers know we are nervous and they understand that. Just be yourself. That's what most of them want to see. I would take it as experience. Even if you are not successful hold your head high, because getting through it learning from it is a huge stepping stone every individual needs to take.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

Also I suggest doing some reading or meditation before the interview to help calm your nerves.

[sad-artist]

Thankyou for your help. 8 turned down the interview. I'm an artist and working a 9-5 job isn't me. I wouldn't be able to do it. I'm bad with responsibilities. I barely make it to my waitress job.

I find that when I have a lot of social activity I get overwhelmed . I can't be in rooms with lots of people . Sensory over load. It's just not where I am right now in my life sadly . I prefer to stay home and paint all day. When I do have a busy day I get very drained and become grumpy as because I can't handle a lot. It was a confidence boost to receive the interview. But like i said I'm an artist I'm free I'm an introvert.