I have an interview coming up for an extension role. My experience and education isn’t 100% aligned with the position so I am feeling a bit anxious about the potential questions I may be asked. I also suffer from anxiety in general where I mentally black out during high pressure moments, for example I don’t remember anything from my thesis defense because my brain was too overwhelmed throughout, I only remember being told I passed at the end. I generally do well with presentations when they are not scripted and I can “wing it”. I love to talk and can ramble on forever, but staying focused on a particular topic is difficult as I get off track quite easily. I usually answer the questions that I don’t know the answer to by explaining how I would go about finding the answer and following up with them later with the answer.
I’m extra anxious because this position is with the same department I studied in and have taken numerous classes with these professors (who also have extension responsibilities) and I have had many interactions with the professors, department head, and hiring committee through classes, clubs, and activities. I feel like since they already know me really well (and if i’m being honest, i’ve had panic attacks/have cried in at least 4 of their offices during office hours – yikes!). I know they wouldn’t have chosen to interview me if they didn’t think I was at least somewhat capable of doing the job…but I am having some anxiety about it nonetheless. I will need to give a presentation, and while I am generally happy to speak publicly, it feels like there is a lot at stake considering it’s an interview. I tend to self sabotage a lot and psych myself out more than what is necessary. I do also have ADHD and I know several of the professors who will be involved in the hiring process do as well, so I am hoping they will understand if I completely drop the ball.
Have any of you been in a similar situation and provide some advice or guidance on how I should approach this and how I can best prepare for my interview?