I'm extremely terrible at interviews

I just finished an online interview for an internship and it went poorly. Im currently a junior in college and I have been struggling with interviews. It might be might my anxiety or that fact that im introvert but I am extremely poor when it comes to thinking on the spot. Im not good a carrying a conversation in general and often lost in my thought instead of interacting with the real world. I couldnt think of much to say and kept repeating myself. Does anyone else struggling with this? What are some advices for me to gain better social skills/ speaking on the fly?

 

The good news is most people aren't great at interviews either, especially college students. It really does take practice.

For behavioral questions (i.e., "tell me about a time when..."), you need to have ~10 go-to stories you can use for multiple questions. Rehearse these (aloud!), and make sure you have a story or two for the common questions. You'll want to answer in a situation-action-result format (i.e., brief background, what YOU did, and what the result and/or learning was). Great answers are able to tie the story back to the position you're interviewing for and demonstrate why you'd be a good fit (but careful not to sound contrived).

 

Don't worry man! We have all been interview plebs at some point in our lives. I think anxiety definitely impacts how you perform. Don't beat yourself up - you could be like me, yammering away at a tangent when I could've answered a simple question in a couple of concise sentences.

I think if someone was to take some time to reflect before they answer, they'd come across as more mature/thoughtful, so don't feel like you have to jump on the question and start firing off whatever you can come up with.

If you feel you're not interacting with the person in front of you, you might find it helpful just to hold eye contact. It feels awkward at times, but unless you're glaring at them, it's not as weird as you think. Plus it shows more engagement on your part.

Good luck! Just remember interviewers are humans too.

I am NOT in denial!
 

I 100% think that if you do the following you will have no problem with carrying on a conversation (not just applicable to interviews).

Part one - read the book How to Gain Friends and Influence People (read it in a day, its not that long), this will give you a basis on how to get people to like you. One of the main themes is actually listening to what the person is saying and showing an interest in it, which plays a large role in having a conversation. There are also a ton of other things to learn about people in the book.

Part two - this is more about fixing your thinking on the spot problem. This is extremely hard to do and takes some balls, but I guarantee it will fix your problem. Go to a bar solo and just approach groups of people and try starting conversations and holding the conversation. You will fail miserably on a lot of groups, but you will eventually learn and get better. This is easier on campus bars since you already have something in common. Also, if you really cant get yourself to do it, take a few shots of tequila at first... and eventually try and do it sober. Note: you could also practice this in cocktails and any other place where people meet up basically... its just that bars is easy as there are always people there.

Good luck!

 
Best Response
takenotes08:
Go to a bar solo and just approach groups of people and try starting conversations and holding the conversation. You will fail miserably on a lot of groups, but you will eventually learn and get better. This is easier on campus bars since you already have something in common. Also, if you really cant get yourself to do it, take a few shots of tequila at first... and eventually try and do it sober. Note: you could also practice this in cocktails and any other place where people meet up basically... its just that bars is easy as there are always people there.

Good luck!

Error, orders misinterpreted. Went drunk for the interview.

GoldenCinderblock: "I keep spending all my money on exotic fish so my armor sucks. Is it possible to romance multiple females? I got with the blue chick so far but I am also interested in the electronic chick and the face mask chick."
 

The more you do them the more comfortable you will get. It took me a few sacrificial interviews to fine tune my answers and learn how to verbally present myself better. After you do a few there won't be too many questions that will trip you up and you'll have more structured answers to the typical questions that everyone asks. Just get out there and fail some more and then you'll be good.

 

Great points here.

Like you, I used to be a serious introvert (I still am), but I'm a ton more outgoing than I was before. Practice makes perfect regarding interviews; the more you do, the better you become.

If you work part-time, or if you're open to the concept, I highly, highly recommend a sales job. I think that would solve a lot of the issues you're facing. Nothing got me over my inability to talk to people faster than a simple cold call. To this day, I tell people that sales is one of the most important skills you can have, and it helps in so many aspects of your life.

Also, stop thinking of it like an interview. Think of it as if you've known this person for your entire life, and you're having a casual conversation (where you're talking about your school, life, etc). Obviously, don't say things like "bro" or "dude", but you get the picture. PM me if you'd like; happy to share more advice.

Array
 

Prep like a madman. Not everyone is a natural but these skills CAN be learned.

Memorize a list of anecdotes and practice them in the mirror. You want to seem natural telling a story-not rehearsed

Interview for jobs you don't necessarily want. The lack of pressure will make you much more comfortable going in and you'll notice the difference once you're at ease

read interview guides to get the best answers to traditional behavioral questions and format them to fit your own experiences

Try not to freelance too much in the beginning (telling jokes, being overly friendly, veering off topic). That stuff comes once you've learned how to build a rapport, which should be instantaneous moving ahead. There are several great books on this, but the standard is Carnegie's "How to Gain Friends and Influence People". Also try Zig Ziglars "Secrets of Closing the Sale". Trust me, you'll want to know how to close.

I find that my best interviews have come when I took the approach of a Consultant working on an engagement. That means I showed genuine curiosity/interest about the role, asked plenty of operating questions to show that I have a sense of what to expect and what issues/problems they face, worked in some of my knowledge of the industry/company, and related it all to previous experiences. This will come with time, but if you take this approach rather than a combative one where you're trying to run out the clock or are just giving direct answers to questions and nothing more, it will show that you're engaged and adaptive.

Only a few people go into interviews "thinking on their feet". Most of us memorize scripts to the point that they seem natural when we spit them out. Do the same.

 

Usually love the trolls on here but this guy is bad. MyNameisGoldstein's spinoffs PumpAndDump and one other one I can't remember were so good. They had backstories and their own personalities and everything.

Array
 

Seriously, we're all crap interviewers in the beginning. This is not the end of your future, but merely a point to uplevel from. I agree that learning a solid response structure is a good idea, but clinging to it can make you stumble for words when your attempt to replicate an identical response fails you. I've been through it all. The interview guides, career coaches, whatever. They'll build your answering skill but won't help your psychological confidence. You may have the perfect story but if there's no confidence to back it up there's no substance.

Yes, flip through the star method, etc. but honestly best thing to do in your age is go into your interviews with the attitude of "I don't give a sh*t". Silently tell this to yourself during the interview if need be. Better social skills/ speaking on the fly is something that will come to you with life experience and trial and error. I'm not telling you to be cocky and not prepare, or by any means say or do crazy things to the interviewer. When you say this to yourself you relax your death grip on attaining interview "perfection" which will immediately relax your manner enabling you to speak easier and enjoy the process.

 

I've found that speaking out loud when prepping has helped me the most. Obviously it is easy to articulate thoughts and piece together a story in your head, but learning to do it verbally is a whole new animal. Focusing on speaking slowly and conveying a relaxed tone has also been beneficial to me. Honestly not taking it too seriously, as hard as that may be, is the best piece of advice that I can offer.

 

Don't those online Interviews let you attempt to record the Questions multiple times?? I ask because I did this for another firm and I had about 10 attempts possible per question.

Work hard, work clean, & most of all do not give up.
 

I had similar issues. I would say the one thing is to plan for the obvious questions such as:

  • walk me through your CV
  • describe your current role/function
  • example of a transaction you worked on
  • which classes do you enjoy and why
  • why do you want to switch careers or work at that place

SO you need to literally write out how you'd answer those (on your time, with no pressure), and then PRACTICE them - even record yourself talking about them if you're bold enough..

The key though for me - is the start. I had prepared a very clear explanation/story of the "walk me through your CV" question, with a few light-hearted jokes here and there which I recycled each time.. If you start off well, then you'll do better.. if you start off bad, then for a fellow introvert, I think it'll be as tough for you to recover as Greece's economy after the sickening austerity measures Merkel and Germany placed on Greece...

 

Practice with the intention of building confidence in technicals and "your story."

I always feel that a behavioral question can not be just answered at face value- so try and think about the motivations behind why interviewers ask fit/behavioral questions and then think about how you can transition your answer into a way you can benefit the firm. I hope that is not too vague.

What has always helped me is thinking about where I could have improved in past interviews, and then executing that improvement in my next interviews without coming off as too cocky.

 

Sorry for sounding like a whiny pussy. I know how lucky I am to even make it to these superdays. It's just that it hurts to get teased by the superday and not get anything and be nowhere better off than when I began. It's like almost scoring with a babe and she walks out and leaves you with major blue balls.

So I guess to be more productive, any general things that people screw up on during interviews? Recruiters, most common mistakes? Help is much appreciated.

Cheers.
 

I feel you man. A combination of the interview process and incompetency of HR has given me a few grey hairs over the last few years. It's such a crap shoot.

Sometimes no matter how good you are it just isn't your day. Interviewing is a learned art, but unfortunately it also involves some amount of luck.

Every year is different, but this one certainly hasn't been sunshine and rainbows. Don't feel too bad. You were probably competing with dozens of kids for a single spot. Someone has to win and more often than not it's not going to be you.

 

You need to do at least 10 mock interviews to make sure you have the right stories, the right angles and have someone critique you that knows what they are talking about, or at least will be honest with you. Whether you find one of your classmates that HAS landed a position already or you get a more formal Wall St. Mentor to help you prepare (//www.wallstreetoasis.com/wall-street-mentors-home), you need to practice a lot.

Do not underestimate the importance of your tone, your overall presentation and the quality of your stories / examples. the behavioral questions are crucial here -- interviewing is a skill like any other. If you don't drill and practice, you may not land the gig.

That being said, hang in there...I was on interview #30 before I got my first offer....and my later interviews were 10x better than my first few. If you are surprised by any questions, then you haven't read our guides: //www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide-to-finance-interviews

Good luck! when you land a SA spot, make sure to post a Success Story for us.

-Patrick

 

i have the SAME exact problem. I'm a sophomore and have gotten to 3 bb superdays and have had tons of first rounds, but no offer. the closest I've gotten is being placed on hold haha. what's worked best for me is recording myself. i know it sounds weird, but use your cam on your laptop and record yourself telling your story/answering behaviorals/etc. i noticed little things by watching myself answer questions that i wouldnt know otherwise. I've read all the guides/practiced a ton but turns out i was doing minor presentation things wrong. for one, i noticed i never smiled while answering questions. it made me seem unenthusiastic and cold. also prob a bit like an asshole. i also didn't pause enough so some of my answers sounds rehearsed. not saying you have the same problems as me, but I'm assuming there's nothing wrong with your content. esp if you've gotten to superday stage and read the WSO/M&I guide. it's most likely your presentation. Give it a try and see if it helps

 

If I'm asked what part of a bicycle I would be, I'd probably just say I don't know cause it's a fucking retarded question and bicycles are inanimate objects

If your dreams don't scare you, then they are not big enough. "There are two types of people in this world: People who say they pee in the shower, and dirty fucking liars."-Louis C.K.
 

I'd advise against asking a question if they say nothing after you answer one of theirs. They're trying to see if you give them a reason to ding you if you keep blabbing ("aggressive silence").

 

I can only think of a few interviews that were beyond my control. I have been the subject of many arbitrary decisions, but I assume that they were rooted in some minor difference between candidates.

Cases where I could not do much: Phone interview with a guy with an incredibly strong foreign accent. Could not understand a thing he was saying. I ended up pretending my reception was poor. But it was really bad. I have no idea why the firm chose that guy.

Pitching a stock that the interviewer hates. Not because the analysis is wrong, but because they hate the company.

Giving an opinion on a stock (when provided with company materials) that is contrary to the interviewer's opinion. In the instance I am thinking of, I was proven right over the next few months.

 

I've had my fair share of interview screwups, and this is on the money. Interviews are 80% prep - the more you do before, the more you can minimize the downside of "unanticipated" questions or scenarios. Remember: it's only unexpected if you didn't consider it beforehand.

"There are three ways to make a living in this business: be first, be smarter, or cheat."
 

In response to the bike question:

I ain't no superman, but without me, the brakes, you'd die.

Robert Clayton Dean: What is happening? Brill: I blew up the building. Robert Clayton Dean: Why? Brill: Because you made a phone call.
 

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I hate victims who respect their executioners

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