Why Am I So Spastic During Interviews?

Usually in this case it would be based on not being comfortable with your answers but I’d rule that out since you said you’ve prepped them pretty hard. Have you ever thought you might be trying too hard to regurgitate the answers you’ve written rather than just answering the question somewhat truthfully.

I’m not sure if you’re talking about technical or behavioural questions (or both) but maybe try having a few key points you want to mention for each pre rehearsed question but during the interview fill in the gaps with non-rehearsed talking. That way to interviewers you’ll sound more genuine and you’ll be less focused on the pre-memorized answer you’re most likely trying to regurgitate.

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Half about preparation and how well you actually know the content they’re asking.

Other half is your ability to speak and that comes in repititions.

If it’s a social angst thing: slow down, breathe, make your self comfortable first, and remember the dude on the other side is just a dude and not some magical being who got into banking (he’s not)

I second the person saying to look into propranolol (Beta blockers) - I grew up using them for classical music competitions and they were quite helpful for removing the shakes/shortness of breath, etc. If you do choose to use them, just make sure you practice with them beforehand so you know how they interact with you.

Will add in here something that helped me with the shakes – I tried forgetting my "memorized lines" and just thinking through the general points I wanted to hit. I realized a lot of my shakes came from me trying to regurgitate my memorized lines which I was fine with while practicing but under the stress of interview fucked me. Instead if I went into it like a conversation, knowing I wanted to hit a couple of key points I would be less nervous and get more real sounding answers. 

Best of luck!

I used to suffer from something very similar as well. There was no magic bullet for me. I just had to put myself in these stressful situations enough times that they started feeling comfortable. I would do exposure training, which helped. I believe there's some truth to the saying, as cheesy as it is, about becoming comfortable being uncomfortable. After you mess up once (or a few times) and you survive, then your central nervous system will eventually start turning off that flight-or-fight mode. 

I discovered propanolol late in the game but it's helpful too, especially with the physical symptoms.

For me, it was doing mock interviews that helped the most with being comfortable in an interview and having more confidence

My dear, 

first of all I strongly suggest to rename your nickname! Life is beautiful!

Then, I am so sorry you have experienced stress situations during your interviews. Sometimes happen especially for some situations where you putted so much effort that you would like that everything is perfect during the conversations. But it does not, life is beautiful but not perfect. Humans are not perfect by default. So what you should work on is the attitude followed by your skills-set.

What i strongly suggest you is to start to see your forwards interviews in a different prospective way, being aware that it is just the first approach and the opportunity to let you know from the company that you applied for. They don't know you, you don't know them. So instead to overthinks about all possible scenarios focus on who you are and what you want to give to the company. 

Furthermore seems that during your stress performances  your brain refuse to connect with the body. This is just a lack of training. I mean, physical training. You should increase your body activities (gym and running are the best to fight against the stress).

So next time, try to run for 1H before your interview. The endorphins inside your body will help to balance the stress that comes up during the interview. It's like a zero-sum game with your body. You have to refill your brain and body with good substance that allow you to performs better and to let you get ready for the moment of major stress where your body, naturally, produce negative chemical substance.

Finally, another good way to stress out the interviews especially when you finish is TALK and SHARE!

Sharing your experience with friends / colleagues(maybe who you can trust) allow you to release tensions.

Hope it helps.

A

This is a common case of social anxiety. No matter how nervous you AREN'T on the inside, your body will make you appear nervous and start shaking. This will make you fumble your words and as you said, have a shakiness feeling all over your body. The best way to get rid of it is to constantly put yourself in uncomfortable social situations. You will stop feeling this way and become more comfortable. If you don't do anything about it, it will stay the same for presentations, going to meet someone etc. It probably won't ever fully go away, but it is very, very manageable once you start practicing. Lmk if you want anymore advice, I have always had this issue with everything growing up.

In my experience, networking calls helped me get used to talking to professionals and with enough of them (and plenty of doozies and cringe), interviews began to feel just a tad bit more formal than a networking call. In doing these calls you will iron down your intro, strong talking points and just general conversational skills