I have an interview scheduled this week and I am experiencing anxiety and fear. I don’t recall it being this bad before. But I haven’t interviewed in a long time, more than 15 years. And I’ve taken a long break from work too (8 yrs).

I am working with a career coach and they asked me to send them a video of me answering the question “Tell me about yourself.” I had the whole weekend to do it and it’s still not done (it’s Monday afternoon). The career coach said my response should match up with what’s listed in the job description, but represent me as a “great” rather than “average” candidate, showing how I go above and beyond.

I keep changing my response because I don’t like how it sounds. I read it out loud and listen to the recording and delete it. Then tweak it and try again. I had to stop practicing yesterday because I started losing my voice. I am not used to talking like that, for hours on end. I am not used to talking about myself, either. Putting this much focus on myself is hard.

I know I have to take massive action if I want to move forward in my life. Getting a job like this, even if it’s not my dream job, would be a big improvement. I am trying to find the thoughts that will help me get there. But the clock is ticking. I am allowing this anxiety. Have no appetite, so no worries about overeating. And I am really not doing anything else to distract myself.

After I finish this question, there are lots more to prepare before the interview happens (Weds). I want to go into the interview feeling confident and not attached to the outcome. How do I find the right thoughts and feelings?

C: Job interview
T: I will have to project confidence and convince them I can do this job (true but not helpful, right?)
F: Anxiety
A: Not a whole lot. I let time pass without doing anything but think and feel.
R: No confidence

C: Job interview
T: I can project confidence and convince them I can do this job (how to get here? )
F: Determined
A: I focus on my prep, I set a time limit for each thing I need to do, and I get it done and move onto the next.
R: I go into the interview feeling confident and convince them I can do this job.

C: Job interview
T: I can just do my best, and let the rest go.
F: Fear (that it will be a painful experience if I just do my best and don’t get to confidence before the interview)
A: Keep trying to finish whatever I can.
R: I go into the interview feeling I’ve done my best and whatever to the rest.

Thanks for your help!