I'm a shy person, how do I do good at a job interview?

Question

I'm 16 so I've never even done an interview yet. When I meet new people I sometimes turn red, studder and lose my cool. I need tips on being less shy and being more outgoing during the interview.

Answer 1

First - make sure you have a good feel for the job. Talk to other people that work there and find out as much as you can about what you are trying to do. This will help you be more comfortable with the interview. And - you can ask specific questions about the job, which is always a good thing. :)

Then - try this... when you walk into the room, speak first - engage the interviewer in a brief conversation about anything. This will help you feel more "in control" of the situation.

At 16, no one will expect a seasoned interviewer... so you're not under as much pressure as you think you are. Don't be afraid to tell the interviewer up front that you're apprehensive and ask for their understanding - you'll get it.

Answer 2

Since you're only 16, the basic advice for you is a starter. You need to do some research on job interviews and what you should and shouldn't do. The way that interviews work and so on and so forth. You can find this information anywhere.

That's a good place to start, but it's not going to help you with your initial concern. That of being shy. This is very easy to overcome without all the bs advice. It's all a matter of perspective. What you need to do is apply for positions that you actually care about. If you're a vegetarian, working at McDonalds isn't something you're going to be particularly interested in. You also have the disadvantage of being young and not having much experience, which limits your options. However, what you need to do is find a job that you would be interested in. What the company does, the atmosphere of the company, the place, etc.

Even though you're shy, you're not shy 24/7 around everyone and everything. If you're truly interested in working for that company for whatever reason, you'll be able to talk. Just keep your reasons in mind, talk about the things that interest you. If you love animals and you want to work at a pet store, this will give you motivation for caring. This will give you a purpose, which will cut down your shyness factor 100 fold.

Answer 3

Be prepared, not surprised
Randall indicated that he is often surprised at how unprepared many people are for some of the most typical interview questions. These could include common ones, such as: "Tell me about yourself;" "Why are you exploring a job change?"; and "What are your short and long-term goals?"
Avoid the political approach
Politicians are often accused of not answering a question completely. The same is also said of some people in interviews. Many hiring managers are not only looking for the answer to a question asked, but are also using this to assess the listening skills of candidates. With this in mind, please pay careful attention to what the interviewer says and what is being asked.
Great questions can land you the job
Dianne shared, "I have hired more than one person because of the thoughtfulness of the questions they asked me. I think one of my all-time favorites is, 'What could I show or tell you right now that would convince you that I am the one for the job?' I never told him this, but at that moment the job was his—and he still works in my department six years later." We encourage you to create a list of 10 or more provocative questions they would like answered during the interview.

You do your job, and I’ll do mine
Every manager who shared his/her thoughts on interviewing agreed upon the importance of candidates not asking "what can you do for me" questions, especially in the first interview. These include questions regarding salary, benefits, bonuses, and vacation time.
Being "suited" for the position
Most of the managers interviewed for this article indicated that the attire of individuals attending interviews could use some attention. Their preference was that candidates be dressed in business attire for interviews, regardless of the level of the position. For men, this included a pressed shirt and tie or, even better, a suit. For women, the recommended attire included a business suit or dress in a conservative color.
The early bird gets the job
Promptness was another issue mentioned by the hiring managers. Being on time is no longer the standard. Managers are taking special note when candidates arrive early for the interview. Arriving ten to fifteen minutes early sends a message of strong interest and professionalism.
Say NO to negative remarks
Negative comments leave a negative impression, even when those comments are accurate. Dianne was recently ready to hire an individual until, at the end of the interview, he made disparaging remarks about his previous employer. We encourage you to avoid making any negative comments about current or previous employers, managers, or co-workers. Dianne suggests, "Remember what mama taught you—if you can’t say anything nice, it’s better to say nothing at all!"
Always Keep a Smile
Smile – If you don’t radiate enthusiasm and energy, then the interviewer is not likely to take much interest in you. If you forget to smile, or if you speak in a monotone voice, sound tired, or walk slowly or with slouched posture, you’ll turn off the interviewer immediately, no matter how well you’ve prepared for the interview, and no matter how effectively you communicate.
Best wishes with your interview! And Don't be shy, they are not perfect people. :) They're people just like you working to make a living. Be yourself, and be confident. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Have you tried "mock interviewing?" Try to find a guidance counselor at your school and request time to meet and conduct a mock interview. Ask for an honest critique and what the interviewer feels you can do better. Do it as if you were really trying to get a job, that way you get the best results. Also, and this is really going to sound silly but, talking to yourself in the mirror lets you study your communication skills. You can take a notepad with interview questions to the bathroom with you if you don't have a mirror in your bedroom. Read them to yourself then answer them while you look at yourself in the mirror. Study your facial expressions and see at what point you start to get nervous. Lastly, you can prepare by knowing your resume and finding a book or website that list commonly asked questions in an interview. Good luck

Answer 5

u will get e hang of it after attending a couplr of interviews.

try rehearsing with yr frens so at least you would be able to ans the interviewers qns. It will take some time but u will surely shed yr shyness away. i have been there. i ended up smiling thru out my interview?!

gd luck for yr future job interviews..

Answer 6

Practice, practice, practice. Have someone go over some "standard" questions that are usually asked in interviews so you are confident about answers, and also practice in the mirror. Good luck!

Answer 7

Practice with a friend answering interview questions.
Practice in front of a mirror.