I remember when I was graduating that there was a lot of talk about whether a PhD would help or hurt careers. The general consensus in the School of Business was that Bachelors and Masters were okay, but that employers wouldn't hire PhDs. Get the PhD stay in academia. You'd be doomed. If I ever go back to expand on my business education, I just plan on getting a Masters in Business Admin rather than narrowing into Accounting. I'll probably focus more on Accounting, but I don't want that as my masters degree. It would limit my potential too much. Stupid, huh
( ... )
I'm pretty sure I interview horribly, but that's a problem that runs deeper than interview anxiety; I'm just not good face-to-face with people I don't know, and never have been. In fact, during the exit interview of my last job, the only complaint my manager had was that I was shy and interviewed poorly; beyond that, he loved my work.
Oh, incidentally, during the interview for that job, I got to talking with my future manager about education. He said pretty close to what you'd heard--that he wouldn't hire a Ph.D. for anything other than a research job, since he believed that was the whole point of getting a Ph.D. He also mentioned that the Ph.D.s he'd interviewed in the past tended to demand too much money for what they'd be doing.
Being a naturally shy person, you've got a battle ahead of you. But you can do it! We just need to get you socializing and torture you with conversation. I always get really nervous and try to turn it back in on myself and use it. I try to take the "fear" and push myself to stretch past that fear and use it to my advantage. It works for me, but that just may be a fluke. Rich is nervous around people he doesn't know too. I think he's getting a little better since he started working an "office" job.
You'll just have to push yourself harder to relax. Bass aackwards? I know. :)
We're here to support you and Andi and the family you've started. It'll all work out. It sometimes just takes time. Anytime you need to vent or just get those thoughts out that are suffocating your brain, that's what we're here for. :)
Well, the anxiety tends to go away after the first few minutes. My problem is more an utter lack of charisma, combined with difficulty expressing my thoughts in speech. Honestly, though, if I had those two things, I could probably make a heck of a lot more money as a salesman, and the work would be way easier, to boot!
Something else... I worried endlessly when preparing for interviews. I didn't have any experience other than what I had from school. I literally used examples of how I managed projects and dealt with other stresses, academic and otherwise. I'm not sure what types of things your interviewers are asking but make sure you give them a firm handshake (not bone-crushing) and make eye contact frequently. Also, send a thank you for the interview letter and include your contact info. Sometimes they need those little things like that to help remember who's who and help you stand out from the crowd. Speak firmly, confidently. But be willing to admit that you're at a loss if you really are. But really try to dig for those answers. It always surprised me when I was done what I had been able to think of to help them get to know what I had to offer them.
Comments 5
Reply
Oh, incidentally, during the interview for that job, I got to talking with my future manager about education. He said pretty close to what you'd heard--that he wouldn't hire a Ph.D. for anything other than a research job, since he believed that was the whole point of getting a Ph.D. He also mentioned that the Ph.D.s he'd interviewed in the past tended to demand too much money for what they'd be doing.
Anyway, thanks for the kind words.
Reply
You'll just have to push yourself harder to relax. Bass aackwards? I know. :)
We're here to support you and Andi and the family you've started. It'll all work out. It sometimes just takes time. Anytime you need to vent or just get those thoughts out that are suffocating your brain, that's what we're here for. :)
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment