Had my first interview for an academic job and it was awful. Applied for a lecturer in education post at a really prestigious place, Russel Group, one of best departments in the country. I didnt expect an interview and I don't know why they did. I don't even have a phd, just a masters and professional experience. Nothing I did on the day seemed remotely good enough from the word go. My presentation they just frowned at, there was a gang of them, and after it they asked questions I didn't even understand so,just had to waffle back like an idiot. Had to improvise a talk for twenty minutes on something I knew nothing about, disaster and they ended up asking more questions anyway. Got grilled about my 'research' when I don't have a publication to my name and have only an EdD proposal in the pipeline, which they knew from my application so wasn't sure what to say there either. By the time the panel interview came, I was knackered and couldn't wait to get it over with to be honest. .after my rejection, I emailed them out of courtesy just to say 'thanks for,your time...sorry I was crap' and they didn't try to dissuade me, just agreed basically. So that's one place I can never, ever show my face at again. It was so different to teaching interviews, I felt like they were asking the impossible. There's no point asking for feedback now, because I know how rubbish I was. It was such an intimidating environment, in front of all these professors. I'm from a really ordinary background and get really self-conscious about my accent which isn't strong but a couple of times this really posh professor was like 'can you repeat that'. I feel really down now. How do I get over this and get better? My whole interview technique is terrible. I need help with it but where from / how?

Congrats for getting invited for interview! Was a PhD one of the requirements? If so - even more well done! Obviously your CV and statement writing skills are up to scratch!

First of all... are you sure your interview technique is terrible...? It sounds from reading between the lines like maybe you just weren't prepared enough / or had what they wanted for this particular post. It sounds like they wanted research experience (even though it was a teaching post?) and you don't have it. Probably because of this they came across as they did, and you started being conscious of your accent and background, when perhaps normally they wouldn't feature...

Anyway, I'd say don't be too discouraged! We all have a crap interview now and then! (I sure have anyway!)

Thanks for your reply Tudor Queen. A phd was a desireable. Masters essential. I think that's what has made it upset me so much. I was so pleased...now I feel so crushed. I really did try to prepare, that's the thing. I'd cope much better if I hadn't tried! Honestly, I spoke with a friend of a friend whose had similar interviews to ask his advice, emailed a professional acquaintance who gave me further tips, and brushed up on everything they said. I've been off work for Easter hols, so have had plenty of time, and I put it in. I spent two days going back to my old uni library (an hours train ride away) to work on my PowerPoint and have some contemporary research to draw on. I even bought myself a new pair of shoes ):

But I think, yes, they did want research experience really. They had a whole twenty minute 'discussion task' on it, and the guy doing it didn't seem to know that I didn't have publications. And the other candidates were more experienced than me - ex heads / deputy heads, some did have publications, and some were known to this particular uni. I think that set me on a defeatist path. I know it's nothing to do with my background / accent really, everyone was lovely on the day. I could really see myself there, that's the thing. But they asked a lot about 'partnerships' and, I suppose the politics of the educational landscape, and that's the areas I felt lacking on where they'll have had more of an idea. Also the main focus of the job was secondary education generally whereas my background is mostly post-16 so it's true I maybe just wasn't a good fit...it's a long time since I was in a school and it was mentioned.

So can see why I didn't get it, totally. Just shocked at how hard I found it.

Oh, and yes, something else you touched on. I think my CV and statement writing skills are good, and that's the thing. I feel like in person, I dont live up to it. I've always been more of s writer than a talker. Years ago, I went for an interview at an FE college, and the man giving me feedback even said straight up, 'it's like you're a different person'. So it's happenned before and that stuck in my head.. I just clam up sometimes. But then, the next interview I had, I got it, so I'm not all bad. And about eighteen months ago I had an interview and was offered the job, although I declined. I just wish I could be more consistent. I so much want to be a lecturer and do research and stuff. I know this job wasn't ideal, I just don't want to blow another chance if one comes up. I think I'm going to,try counseling because I think some of it comes from low self esteem. I need to learn to think positive, otherwise my head is always going to drop when I meet the other stellar candidates and I start comparing myself.

Congratulations on getting the interview. Because of your negative view, there is a real risk that *if* the process goes no further, then you will make wrong assumptions about the reasons. It could be as simple as PhD preferred and that gives the others a head start.

You say that there is no point in asking for feed back, and also say your name is mud at that institution. Ask for feedback. There is nothing to lose, they might say something to help and at worst ... well, can it get worse? You have mentally crossed that uni off your list of possibles. There is nothing to lose.

I'll have to reply more fully later as I'm up to my eyeballs in data analysis (and it's going on 2am argh...) but yeh, give it some time and you'll stop feeling so disappointed. I don't even think you have to cross it off your potential uni list. You didn't get that job, but I know several circumstances where first meetings have been negative to say the least, and then the person has ended up being employed there. It happened to me in my previous job (a couple of years between the two interviews - but it was the same main interviewer!).

You WILL get the job you want in the end. It's a battle - but don't give up!!!

Thanks peter, I know what you mean about making wrong assumptions. (Ironically one of the topics touched on in my presentation was the danger of new teachers trying to be reflective and reflecting the wrong things about themselves without full facts, then I'm doing the same thing here probably)., I did ultimately feel 'underdressed' without the doctorate, even though it was only a desirable and ultimately I did go in with a negative mindset believing I had no chance, even though I tried not to. Then when that's come true, I've given myself a right kicking for it. I guess I should ask for feedback. The thing is, I kind of gave up on the day, once I knew I'd fluffed the task I had to do. I feel embarrassed but yes, I probably should get feedback, if there's a single nugget of information in there that might be useful. You're right that there's nothing to lose.

And thanks also again, Tudor Queen, that's good to hear. I guess I would apply there again, and just hope they don't rememeber me. I do feel I'll get there in the end. I keep trying to remind myself of all the positives. I've got nine years now working in FE, including course leadership, I've lead training and staff development, I've got links with my local uni through my mentoring and I'm trying to,build on that. And I did so well in my Masters when I did that, even though I was doing a full time job at the same time. I'm just feeling bruised and buttered at the moment. I'll feel better on Monday once I'm back with my classes and can start getting back to normal. The whole things just dominated the whole past two weeks, so I think I'm getting things out of proportion. To be honest, I've got some baggage about it all. My family were never supportive of me trying the academic route, dissuaded me from it years ago, they think I'm chasing a dream. For a few years I fell into a relationship with a selfish person who put me down and didn't have any faith in me either. So this knockback has raised all that in me again, and other negative experiences. This is why I I'm up at five in the morning still thinking! I'll get over it. I just need to keep going. If I'm getting interviews, I must be getting closer, and these things are a case of practice. It seems to go in threes and fours for me. It took me four interviews to get my first teaching job. Three interviews to get a job in FE. Four goes to pass my driving test. I get nervous, but eventually it clicks.

Urgh I've spent hours replaying and cringing over gone wrong interviews over and over in my head... and when they asked that, I said THAT... oh my goodness... !

Sometimes to help me get closure and take something positive from such things, I reflect in a few bullet points about what went well (I try to think of at least two or three positives), and what I could have done better (that was actually within my power to have done better), and what was challenging but not necessarily within my power to change. Then I can move on.

Re your threes and fours - at least you know you always get there in the end - and in the face of set backs!

Yeah, that's a good idea, write it all down, I will try that.