How to sound like yourself during interviews

[salemstein]

Confession: I've had many interviews already, and I'm very proud of the things that are on my apps/essays. I don't know if its just me but come showtime, the words that come out of my mouth sometimes sound different from what's going on in my mind. I cannot count the number of times I kept telling myself during an interview "crap, thats not the direction I want to go" or "why did I say that," etc. People have told me to just "be yourself," but my situation isn't so simple. I'm concerned that I will be perceived as a phony when in reality I am quite the opposite. Do you guys have any tips?

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[super-scribe]

I know this is easier said than done but for me it really helped when I was able to tone down my anxiety. I think most people say dumb stuff when they're nervous and I think if you're able to reduce that anxiety you sound more like yourself.

 

[UncertaintyPrinciple]

Don't tailor your answers to what you think they want to hear. Just answer honestly.

Also, it's okay to pause for a second and collect your thoughts before answering.

 

[Goro]

Pretend you're talking to your Gramma.

Confession: I've had many interviews already, and I'm very proud of the things that are on my apps/essays. I don't know if its just me but come showtime, the words that come out of my mouth sometimes sound different from what's going on in my mind. I cannot count the number of times I kept telling myself during an interview "crap, thats not the direction I want to go" or "why did I say that," etc. People have told me to just "be yourself," but my situation isn't so simple. I'm concerned that I will be perceived as a phony when in reality I am quite the opposite. Do you guys have any tips?

 

[PatchA]

I practiced interview questions with some willing (and patient) family and friends. I gave them a list of possible questions, and they just interviewed me. This wasn't so my answers would be practiced and perfect (and come off as canned in interviews), but so I could get practice being put on the spot and organizing my thoughts before I opened my mouth. The interviews I did after I started doing this kind of practice felt much better (and had better outcomes) than the ones before.

 

[ScottTenorman54]

Do a mock interview, and film yourself from the interviewer's perspective. Then watch and see if what you're saying matches up with what you're thinking. The first time I did it, I found out to my horror that I was blinking so much it looked like I was having a seizure.

I always put in eyedrops before interviews now.

 

[drechie]

bump

 

[BKNbkn]

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?