Anxiety during coding interview [duplicate]

The name of the pictureThe name of the pictureThe name of the pictureClash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP





.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;







up vote
6
down vote

favorite













This question already has an answer here:



  • Dealing With Pressure in Interviews

    5 answers



I choke when asked to pair during a coding interview. The interviewer could ask me the simplest question and my mind goes blank. I think I'm a good developer and if I was given the task at home with no pressure, I'd pass the test.



I know practice should help me with it, and I do lots of that; it doesn't help as it doesn't recreate the actual interview setting.



Anyone any advice on managing this?







share|improve this question











marked as duplicate by David K, gnat, jimm101, IDrinkandIKnowThings, yoozer8 Sep 2 '16 at 15:07


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.














  • I don't see it as a duplicate. He's talking about a specific type of pressure. Additionally, he directly mentions one of the solutions in the answers. I think it's a very, very good question and I think it's well formed and direct. I just don't know what the answer is, to be honest. Upon reflection, my own answer isn't helpful really so I deleted that.
    – Chris E
    Sep 1 '16 at 17:01
















up vote
6
down vote

favorite













This question already has an answer here:



  • Dealing With Pressure in Interviews

    5 answers



I choke when asked to pair during a coding interview. The interviewer could ask me the simplest question and my mind goes blank. I think I'm a good developer and if I was given the task at home with no pressure, I'd pass the test.



I know practice should help me with it, and I do lots of that; it doesn't help as it doesn't recreate the actual interview setting.



Anyone any advice on managing this?







share|improve this question











marked as duplicate by David K, gnat, jimm101, IDrinkandIKnowThings, yoozer8 Sep 2 '16 at 15:07


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.














  • I don't see it as a duplicate. He's talking about a specific type of pressure. Additionally, he directly mentions one of the solutions in the answers. I think it's a very, very good question and I think it's well formed and direct. I just don't know what the answer is, to be honest. Upon reflection, my own answer isn't helpful really so I deleted that.
    – Chris E
    Sep 1 '16 at 17:01












up vote
6
down vote

favorite









up vote
6
down vote

favorite












This question already has an answer here:



  • Dealing With Pressure in Interviews

    5 answers



I choke when asked to pair during a coding interview. The interviewer could ask me the simplest question and my mind goes blank. I think I'm a good developer and if I was given the task at home with no pressure, I'd pass the test.



I know practice should help me with it, and I do lots of that; it doesn't help as it doesn't recreate the actual interview setting.



Anyone any advice on managing this?







share|improve this question












This question already has an answer here:



  • Dealing With Pressure in Interviews

    5 answers



I choke when asked to pair during a coding interview. The interviewer could ask me the simplest question and my mind goes blank. I think I'm a good developer and if I was given the task at home with no pressure, I'd pass the test.



I know practice should help me with it, and I do lots of that; it doesn't help as it doesn't recreate the actual interview setting.



Anyone any advice on managing this?





This question already has an answer here:



  • Dealing With Pressure in Interviews

    5 answers









share|improve this question










share|improve this question




share|improve this question









asked Sep 1 '16 at 15:33









TheCoder

1341




1341




marked as duplicate by David K, gnat, jimm101, IDrinkandIKnowThings, yoozer8 Sep 2 '16 at 15:07


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.






marked as duplicate by David K, gnat, jimm101, IDrinkandIKnowThings, yoozer8 Sep 2 '16 at 15:07


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.













  • I don't see it as a duplicate. He's talking about a specific type of pressure. Additionally, he directly mentions one of the solutions in the answers. I think it's a very, very good question and I think it's well formed and direct. I just don't know what the answer is, to be honest. Upon reflection, my own answer isn't helpful really so I deleted that.
    – Chris E
    Sep 1 '16 at 17:01
















  • I don't see it as a duplicate. He's talking about a specific type of pressure. Additionally, he directly mentions one of the solutions in the answers. I think it's a very, very good question and I think it's well formed and direct. I just don't know what the answer is, to be honest. Upon reflection, my own answer isn't helpful really so I deleted that.
    – Chris E
    Sep 1 '16 at 17:01















I don't see it as a duplicate. He's talking about a specific type of pressure. Additionally, he directly mentions one of the solutions in the answers. I think it's a very, very good question and I think it's well formed and direct. I just don't know what the answer is, to be honest. Upon reflection, my own answer isn't helpful really so I deleted that.
– Chris E
Sep 1 '16 at 17:01




I don't see it as a duplicate. He's talking about a specific type of pressure. Additionally, he directly mentions one of the solutions in the answers. I think it's a very, very good question and I think it's well formed and direct. I just don't know what the answer is, to be honest. Upon reflection, my own answer isn't helpful really so I deleted that.
– Chris E
Sep 1 '16 at 17:01










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
4
down vote













Be sure you know what to do and what to say. The last thing you want to say is "ehhh, ehhh, oops", but rather say "shoot, I'm not so good in these situations because X, I'm better at Y, perhaps we can do alternative Z?"



I can't fill in because X, better at Y, and alternative Z for you, but being honest about your shortcomings in interviews is not a bad thing. The last thing you want is to be in a job position that isn't a good fit for you personality, and good introspective abilities are always considered a boon (some of the most frustrating coworkers are those who aren't honest about this with themselves or their coworkers).



Offering an alternative also means there's an escape hatch. Do make sure that the hiring manager is convinced it's you answering the actual question or writing the code, and not someone on Stack Overflow (e.g. "can I get back to you about that tomorrow" could leave the wrong impression, so something like "can I write this down on my own without someone looking over my shoulder" might work better).



Also mentioning a strength means the conversation is not just focused on areas where you're not so good, but also on something you are good at. Few people are perfect, and all hiring managers realise this. What they're looking for is someone with a specific set of strengths and weaknesses.




Be sure to accurately identify the reason of this shortcoming; is it simply the social anxiety of having a stranger ask critical questions? Or is it stress in general? This can make a huge difference, as social anxiety is probably less of problem in the actual job, as it doesn't apply as much to the "we need this done by Friday"-sort of stress.



Do you have difficulty with stress in general? Then also be honest about that.






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    3
    down vote













    Do practice interviews. Ask your friends and family to help recreate the environment. Contact your college's career service, and see if they do practice interviews. Even if you've graduated, a lot of colleges will still help you.






    share|improve this answer




























      up vote
      0
      down vote














      I know practice should help me with it, and I do lots of that; it
      doesn't help as it doesn't recreate the actual interview setting.




      The short answer is you must learn to control your anxiety. Interviews are stressful, so are product releases. Most people's anxiety comes from a specific part of the situation. Figure out what you need to re-create the interview process to the point you freeze up.



      Are you fearful of the stranger asking questions, the unfamiliar setting, being rejected? Make a list of all the things that could possibly be causing the anxiety, and try to test each separately. Once you know the issue, you can get over it.






      share|improve this answer




























        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes








        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes








        up vote
        4
        down vote













        Be sure you know what to do and what to say. The last thing you want to say is "ehhh, ehhh, oops", but rather say "shoot, I'm not so good in these situations because X, I'm better at Y, perhaps we can do alternative Z?"



        I can't fill in because X, better at Y, and alternative Z for you, but being honest about your shortcomings in interviews is not a bad thing. The last thing you want is to be in a job position that isn't a good fit for you personality, and good introspective abilities are always considered a boon (some of the most frustrating coworkers are those who aren't honest about this with themselves or their coworkers).



        Offering an alternative also means there's an escape hatch. Do make sure that the hiring manager is convinced it's you answering the actual question or writing the code, and not someone on Stack Overflow (e.g. "can I get back to you about that tomorrow" could leave the wrong impression, so something like "can I write this down on my own without someone looking over my shoulder" might work better).



        Also mentioning a strength means the conversation is not just focused on areas where you're not so good, but also on something you are good at. Few people are perfect, and all hiring managers realise this. What they're looking for is someone with a specific set of strengths and weaknesses.




        Be sure to accurately identify the reason of this shortcoming; is it simply the social anxiety of having a stranger ask critical questions? Or is it stress in general? This can make a huge difference, as social anxiety is probably less of problem in the actual job, as it doesn't apply as much to the "we need this done by Friday"-sort of stress.



        Do you have difficulty with stress in general? Then also be honest about that.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          4
          down vote













          Be sure you know what to do and what to say. The last thing you want to say is "ehhh, ehhh, oops", but rather say "shoot, I'm not so good in these situations because X, I'm better at Y, perhaps we can do alternative Z?"



          I can't fill in because X, better at Y, and alternative Z for you, but being honest about your shortcomings in interviews is not a bad thing. The last thing you want is to be in a job position that isn't a good fit for you personality, and good introspective abilities are always considered a boon (some of the most frustrating coworkers are those who aren't honest about this with themselves or their coworkers).



          Offering an alternative also means there's an escape hatch. Do make sure that the hiring manager is convinced it's you answering the actual question or writing the code, and not someone on Stack Overflow (e.g. "can I get back to you about that tomorrow" could leave the wrong impression, so something like "can I write this down on my own without someone looking over my shoulder" might work better).



          Also mentioning a strength means the conversation is not just focused on areas where you're not so good, but also on something you are good at. Few people are perfect, and all hiring managers realise this. What they're looking for is someone with a specific set of strengths and weaknesses.




          Be sure to accurately identify the reason of this shortcoming; is it simply the social anxiety of having a stranger ask critical questions? Or is it stress in general? This can make a huge difference, as social anxiety is probably less of problem in the actual job, as it doesn't apply as much to the "we need this done by Friday"-sort of stress.



          Do you have difficulty with stress in general? Then also be honest about that.






          share|improve this answer























            up vote
            4
            down vote










            up vote
            4
            down vote









            Be sure you know what to do and what to say. The last thing you want to say is "ehhh, ehhh, oops", but rather say "shoot, I'm not so good in these situations because X, I'm better at Y, perhaps we can do alternative Z?"



            I can't fill in because X, better at Y, and alternative Z for you, but being honest about your shortcomings in interviews is not a bad thing. The last thing you want is to be in a job position that isn't a good fit for you personality, and good introspective abilities are always considered a boon (some of the most frustrating coworkers are those who aren't honest about this with themselves or their coworkers).



            Offering an alternative also means there's an escape hatch. Do make sure that the hiring manager is convinced it's you answering the actual question or writing the code, and not someone on Stack Overflow (e.g. "can I get back to you about that tomorrow" could leave the wrong impression, so something like "can I write this down on my own without someone looking over my shoulder" might work better).



            Also mentioning a strength means the conversation is not just focused on areas where you're not so good, but also on something you are good at. Few people are perfect, and all hiring managers realise this. What they're looking for is someone with a specific set of strengths and weaknesses.




            Be sure to accurately identify the reason of this shortcoming; is it simply the social anxiety of having a stranger ask critical questions? Or is it stress in general? This can make a huge difference, as social anxiety is probably less of problem in the actual job, as it doesn't apply as much to the "we need this done by Friday"-sort of stress.



            Do you have difficulty with stress in general? Then also be honest about that.






            share|improve this answer













            Be sure you know what to do and what to say. The last thing you want to say is "ehhh, ehhh, oops", but rather say "shoot, I'm not so good in these situations because X, I'm better at Y, perhaps we can do alternative Z?"



            I can't fill in because X, better at Y, and alternative Z for you, but being honest about your shortcomings in interviews is not a bad thing. The last thing you want is to be in a job position that isn't a good fit for you personality, and good introspective abilities are always considered a boon (some of the most frustrating coworkers are those who aren't honest about this with themselves or their coworkers).



            Offering an alternative also means there's an escape hatch. Do make sure that the hiring manager is convinced it's you answering the actual question or writing the code, and not someone on Stack Overflow (e.g. "can I get back to you about that tomorrow" could leave the wrong impression, so something like "can I write this down on my own without someone looking over my shoulder" might work better).



            Also mentioning a strength means the conversation is not just focused on areas where you're not so good, but also on something you are good at. Few people are perfect, and all hiring managers realise this. What they're looking for is someone with a specific set of strengths and weaknesses.




            Be sure to accurately identify the reason of this shortcoming; is it simply the social anxiety of having a stranger ask critical questions? Or is it stress in general? This can make a huge difference, as social anxiety is probably less of problem in the actual job, as it doesn't apply as much to the "we need this done by Friday"-sort of stress.



            Do you have difficulty with stress in general? Then also be honest about that.







            share|improve this answer













            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer











            answered Sep 1 '16 at 16:17









            Martin Tournoij

            5,76041735




            5,76041735






















                up vote
                3
                down vote













                Do practice interviews. Ask your friends and family to help recreate the environment. Contact your college's career service, and see if they do practice interviews. Even if you've graduated, a lot of colleges will still help you.






                share|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  3
                  down vote













                  Do practice interviews. Ask your friends and family to help recreate the environment. Contact your college's career service, and see if they do practice interviews. Even if you've graduated, a lot of colleges will still help you.






                  share|improve this answer























                    up vote
                    3
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    3
                    down vote









                    Do practice interviews. Ask your friends and family to help recreate the environment. Contact your college's career service, and see if they do practice interviews. Even if you've graduated, a lot of colleges will still help you.






                    share|improve this answer













                    Do practice interviews. Ask your friends and family to help recreate the environment. Contact your college's career service, and see if they do practice interviews. Even if you've graduated, a lot of colleges will still help you.







                    share|improve this answer













                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer











                    answered Sep 1 '16 at 17:36









                    Student

                    409313




                    409313




















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote














                        I know practice should help me with it, and I do lots of that; it
                        doesn't help as it doesn't recreate the actual interview setting.




                        The short answer is you must learn to control your anxiety. Interviews are stressful, so are product releases. Most people's anxiety comes from a specific part of the situation. Figure out what you need to re-create the interview process to the point you freeze up.



                        Are you fearful of the stranger asking questions, the unfamiliar setting, being rejected? Make a list of all the things that could possibly be causing the anxiety, and try to test each separately. Once you know the issue, you can get over it.






                        share|improve this answer

























                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote














                          I know practice should help me with it, and I do lots of that; it
                          doesn't help as it doesn't recreate the actual interview setting.




                          The short answer is you must learn to control your anxiety. Interviews are stressful, so are product releases. Most people's anxiety comes from a specific part of the situation. Figure out what you need to re-create the interview process to the point you freeze up.



                          Are you fearful of the stranger asking questions, the unfamiliar setting, being rejected? Make a list of all the things that could possibly be causing the anxiety, and try to test each separately. Once you know the issue, you can get over it.






                          share|improve this answer























                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            I know practice should help me with it, and I do lots of that; it
                            doesn't help as it doesn't recreate the actual interview setting.




                            The short answer is you must learn to control your anxiety. Interviews are stressful, so are product releases. Most people's anxiety comes from a specific part of the situation. Figure out what you need to re-create the interview process to the point you freeze up.



                            Are you fearful of the stranger asking questions, the unfamiliar setting, being rejected? Make a list of all the things that could possibly be causing the anxiety, and try to test each separately. Once you know the issue, you can get over it.






                            share|improve this answer














                            I know practice should help me with it, and I do lots of that; it
                            doesn't help as it doesn't recreate the actual interview setting.




                            The short answer is you must learn to control your anxiety. Interviews are stressful, so are product releases. Most people's anxiety comes from a specific part of the situation. Figure out what you need to re-create the interview process to the point you freeze up.



                            Are you fearful of the stranger asking questions, the unfamiliar setting, being rejected? Make a list of all the things that could possibly be causing the anxiety, and try to test each separately. Once you know the issue, you can get over it.







                            share|improve this answer













                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer











                            answered Sep 1 '16 at 19:54









                            sevensevens

                            6,19321531




                            6,19321531












                                Comments

                                Popular posts from this blog

                                What does second last employer means? [closed]

                                List of Gilmore Girls characters

                                Confectionery