Can someone please give me some tips on how to stay sharp during a long interview. I have to 6 back to back interviews on one day with the same company. 6 different managers, each separately. 3 back to back then 1 hour lunch with a separate manger and then 3 more back to back interviews.
I usually get a raging migraine when I have lengthy stressful situations. Should I take some migraine meds at the beginning of the day and at lunch to keep a headache away?
How do you mentally stay sharp and focused for that long to be able to respond to questions on a drop of a dime? Any tips at all for me. I have only had 1 hour panel interviews before or one time I had a 2.5 hour one.
Why are you being interviewed in that manner? Is that standard in your industry? I think I'd jump off the roof if I had to do that.
And yes, take some migraine meds before you start. Better safe than sorry, unless said meds make you super sleepy or something. If that's the case, I don't know what I'd do in your circumstance.
Post by shopgirl07 on Dec 11, 2014 10:42:53 GMT -5
Ugh, those are so hard! Either take your migraine meds or some Advil. Stay hydrated. Make sure you eat something filling yet healthy at lunch. You want to feel satisfied but not too full. Write down lost of questions and refer to them in the later interviews when you get tired. And just try to power through!
Good Luck! Sounds intense. Make sure you have water with you at all times and keep hydrated. You could also discretely slip in some migraine pills during the interview. I think it would be hard for anyone to keep their energy up for that long but keep reminding yourself! That was the feedback I got in a 4 hour interview - that by the end of it I wasn't really engaging and energized. I was tired! haha
Why are you being interviewed in that manner? Is that standard in your industry? I think I'd jump off the roof if I had to do that.
And yes, take some migraine meds before you start. Better safe than sorry, unless said meds make you super sleepy or something. If that's the case, I don't know what I'd do in your circumstance.
Not standard. 12 yrs in the industry and never had that happen before but it is for a huge move up the ladder.
Ugh, those are so hard! Either take your migraine meds or some Advil. Stay hydrated. Make sure you eat something filling yet healthy at lunch. You want to feel satisfied but not too full. Write down lost of questions and refer to them in the later interviews when you get tired. And just try to power through!
That was the feedback I got in a 4 hour interview - that by the end of it I wasn't really engaging and energized. I was tired! haha
Yes, I am a people lover and I love to chat but I am not sure how engaging I can be once I get into the 3rd hour. Essentially, that is what I am afraid of.
I would definitely take the meds if they don't affect you, a migraine would horrible to have to deal with on top of everything else.
I agree to take notes, and know that it's OK to ask the same question of different people throughout the day--the notes will help you remember if you have already asked it with the person in front of you.
Take 2-3 bathroom breaks, maybe one in the morning, one at lunch, and one in the afternoon. I would use that time to be alone, take some deep breaths, and give yourself a pep talk. When you feel your energy lagging at the end, remind yourself you only have to do this a little while, how important it is, and how you will reward yourself. and then have something awesome planned that night--maybe out to dinner or bubble bath, or something, but keep your energy up knowing your reward is coming.
Post by crashgizmo on Dec 11, 2014 11:58:05 GMT -5
I JUST went through this 3.5 weeks ago. I had 5 1 hour interviews along with lunch. To add to the shitstorm, I had to fly in and out in the same day for the interview!
Things I did:
They gave me my schedule ahead of time, so I made a separate page for each interview, which included the name, titles and anything I knew about them ahead of time. I also put 2-3 questions for each person (some of them were repeated). Then I took notes on that page, so it was much easier to write thank you notes once I got home.
I wore a suit that was NOT my best suit but my most comfortable. I needed that comfort throughout the day.
I got comfortable with telling the same story or situation over and over again. By hour 4, I couldn't even remember who I had told what to, but I had my stories ready.
I also made light of the situation a little bit. Everyone who I interviewed with knew it was a long day, so I would comment on that (when appropriate). I think that helped make me and them more human.
I brought a Nalgene water bottle and kept hydrated. I also had granola bars in my purse (I didn't need them, but just in case)
Post by compassrose on Dec 11, 2014 12:24:37 GMT -5
In academia, it's a 2-3 day interview from 7:30am through dinner (but some meetings are easier than others, like lunches with the students), so I feel your pain.
I think you've gotten great advice already, but a couple of things to add:
Don't be shy about taking 'bathroom breaks'. Just use it as few minutes to check yourself in the mirror, drink water, breathe, or review your notes on the next person.
Wear comfortable shoes.
I wore my hair up so that I wouldn't fiddle with it.
Bring throat lozenges of some kind-- after talking for so many hours, my throat actually got sore at night.
Remember it's a two-way street. You are deciding if they are a good fit for you as much as they are deciding if you are a good fit for them.
In academia, it's a 2-3 day interview from 7:30am through dinner (but some meetings are easier than others, like lunches with the students), so I feel your pain.
My gosh that sounds like a pain. I cannot imagine!
In academia, it's a 2-3 day interview from 7:30am through dinner (but some meetings are easier than others, like lunches with the students), so I feel your pain.
My gosh that sounds like a pain. I cannot imagine!
I've had a couple of 8 hour interviews. They are grueling. I try to pack ibuprofen or tylenol in case I have a headache and drink water. Take as many bathroom breaks as offered. I would sit in the stall for a few extra minutes just to get a break. I also order caffeine at lunch to make sure I can get through the afternoon.
Post by jerseyjaybird on Dec 11, 2014 13:57:49 GMT -5
I've had two day-long interviews, and neither was as bad as I anticipated. You'll end up telling the same stories again and again, and making the same remarks, and asking the same (or similar) questions---and that's fine. Don't hesitate to take your time to gather your thoughts before responding to questions, especially late in the day. I found myself feeling a bit less sharp as the day moved along, so it was important for me to remind myself that it was fine to take my time. Don't plan anything for the evening! Really, I think it will pass more quickly than you expect; just take it one meeting at a time. Good luck!
Post by nonsenseabound on Dec 11, 2014 14:03:40 GMT -5
I agree with bringing water and small snacks in your purse. It will help you.
I'd also bring a black folder with you that has additional copies of all resumes and documents. Plus you can carry your cheat sheet notes for each interview.
Definitely duck into the bathroom for a few minutes to pee, breathe and check your make up.
One thing to remember -- if you meet with 6 people, that means you can tell the same stories and ask the same questions 6 times. Everything will be new to everyone, so don't worry about being repetitive.
My last 3 interviews have been with 7-9 people, and I've found them to feel pretty fast. Also, interviewers have known what my schedule was and have been really sympathetic about it.
I've had two day-long interviews, and neither was as bad as I anticipated. You'll end up telling the same stories again and again, and making the same remarks, and asking the same (or similar) questions---and that's fine. Don't hesitate to take your time to gather your thoughts before responding to questions, especially late in the day. I found myself feeling a bit less sharp as the day moved along, so it was important for me to remind myself that it was fine to take my time. Don't plan anything for the evening! Really, I think it will pass more quickly than you expect; just take it one meeting at a time. Good luck!
Thanks for the bolded. It is the italicized above I am afraid of! Yikes and thanks.
Post by LoveTrains on Dec 11, 2014 19:40:45 GMT -5
I just had a 7 hour interview today. Whenever someone offered "do you need a quick break?" I jumped at the chance to use the ladies room and splash some water on my face!!
Post by jerseyjaybird on Dec 11, 2014 19:55:57 GMT -5
The thing is, you'll probably be a little less sharp as you get tired, but you'll also have had plenty of practice telling your stories. In a way, for me, these day-long interviews get easier as they progress, because I feel practiced and prepared from having answered questions over several hours. You'll do great!
I want to add that as an interviewer, we found it useful when the applicant told us the same story. That way, in the post-interviewing debrief, we could say, "applicant X showed good leadership skills in the watermelon story," and everyone could agree or disagree from that.
The thing is, you'll probably be a little less sharp as you get tired, but you'll also have had plenty of practice telling your stories. In a way, for me, these day-long interviews get easier as they progress, because I feel practiced and prepared from having answered questions over several hours. You'll do great!
I want to add that as an interviewer, we found it useful when the applicant told us the same story. That way, in the post-interviewing debrief, we could say, "applicant X showed good leadership skills in the watermelon story," and everyone could agree or disagree from that.
Can I say that I don't want to say b/c I actually work for the same company as someone else on here and they haven't discovered it. So i'm going to remain tight lipped but I will come back and post an update ...say before xmas.
This sounds cheesy, but someone recently tipped me off to a Ted Talk on power poses (I forget the exact title). According to the talk, standing in a victory position (arms up, head raised) actually changes your hormone balance to improve confidence etc. So, every time you take a restroom break, try it out in the stall.