Help! Upcoming GROUP Interview & struggling w/ social anxiety
Hi everyone, I am a second year undergrad student and have an upcoming group interview for a temporary summer job, in which I have to help working a Health Wellness Intervention Kick-Off Event concentrating on the health of social workers. I have NEVER experienced a group interview before, and as a person who HATES participating in class discussion (and that certain aspect of my grade suffering as a result), I'm freaking out really bad.
I generally do better when I know more about the situation I'm walking in. I write flashcards to prepare for incoming questions, I google directions well in advance, and plan my interview outfit the weekend before, I research the job and the interviewer heavily and create a document that'll help me organize my thoughts. Yes, I overprepare for everything.
Sadly, I do not know anything about this interview, other than it's a group one. I don't know how many people will be in the room with me, but the email I received cc'd three other people, who were all masters/doctorate students. So either they're all interviewing me or they're my competition.
Does anyone have any tips to overcome this situation? Or how to make myself competitive even though I get way too uncomfortable in social situations?
Breath. Think of it this way, youwill probably be better prepared than the others. People with anxiety tend to be better prepared because "they think too much."People without anxiety don't thinktoo much. More thinkingis not a bad thing: if you aren't happy with the results you got the first time, you'll reflect, and be better prepared next time. From what my instructor's have told me, most students don't put asmuch effort into getting better; therefore, they don't make as much progress as people who think more--not saying that they don't get better--we just tend to progress faster.With that said, if you can, be open with them about the fact that you struggle with anxiety. It shows that you will communicate whatever struggles you have rather than seem like you don't care, and instructors, almost always can relate,will see that your studies are important to you, and behappy to help in any way they can--give you more time, set up a time to sit and help you with your work, or refer you to someone who can. Seriously, beingopen about your anxietyshows honesty, determination, andresilience..In just going there, you're facing your fears. That's admirable--remember that!
School, interview, group interview.. Be open, if you can! .... I had an anxiety attack during a session I taught at a place I volunteer for, asked for advice, and ended up being offered an internship opportunity I didn't even know was available. They said it showed how much I care,and how hard I'm willing to work.
Uhhh jealous! Can I have your life lol. I'm really glad that worked out forr you & I really wish that kinda thing would happen for more people. I've mostly had the opposite experience (discrimination, bullying ect.) I've typically been advised to wait until afterr the interview to mention stuff like that. I've been told an interview is different from a regular conversation because the topic is why you want the job & why you'd be a good fit & employers typically respond better to a general conversation if it's afterr the interview process. That's just what I've been told though. I really hope you're right. Lol maybe I can move to your planet. Hope they have a chill immigration policy jaja
Think of it this way. Being in a group means all the attention's not on you. You have other people whose behavior you can mimic when you get stuck & if you get stuck you can let others answer 1st. It's a lot harder to catch individual people off guard when there's a group. I had a group interview for a campus job & they hired all the candidates. They're not necessarily competition. It was nice having other people there w/ me instead of just me & the interviewers. We (us students) chatted before & after. It felt a lot more chill than 1-1. Going in thinking of people as competition stresses you out. Thinking of them as potential buddies, coworkers ect is a much more positive outlook & a much more realistic one too for campus jobs. You're applying for a campus job, not to be president. You don't have to be better than the other people. You just gotta be you. I would guess that those doctoral students might be other workers there who might be interviewing you but there's a good chance they won't be. People like to forward emails about decisions like hiring people to other people in the company so everyone can be on the same page. Don't quote me on this though. I could be wrong. I'm just a junior lol. Btw I have SA too & group interviews have been the least stressful for me because you're not in it alone. Even if groups make you uncomfortable, having a group to blend into means a lot less people looking at you at any given time :)
Thank you all so much for your great advice. They were all really helpful, especially when trying to change my outlook on things by trying not to stress about things too much. I ended up getting the job, and am excited to be able to work in my hometown this summer before my junior year. :)
I had something similar today. I also suffer from social anxiety and I was democratically voted to be the spokesperson. When I heard the other groups present, it made me incredibly anxious because many of them had senior managers who were used to presenting in front of people.
For me, when I'm up there, I'm actually less anxious. Why? Because I need to project my voice, which slows down my speech, controls my breathing, and gets it out there.
One thing that I would say is that you are not alone in feeling anxious about this situation. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that 'your competition' is going to be so well prepared, relaxed, and ready to perform. They're going to be feeling 'exactly' like you are and will think of you in the same manner that you think of them. I find that focusing on my own performance works well. Just being organised with a few keywords on things to present. I don't have any more than keywords as that's when I personally get into a pickle. Letting the presentation organically progress , taking it slowly, and breathing slowly are always beneficial for me getitng through.