Tips for oral board--

[Norwich2012]

Hey guys, i know that oral boards have been discussed many times here, but ive got a different question than the old "what type of questions are there" question.

Ive been preparing for the oral board and practicing the most commonly asked questions to prepare for the interview. My question is what do you guys suggest to calm your nerves down before and during the interview?

I feel that my nerves are my biggest enemy right now, and I just need to get over my aversion of public speaking/ important meetings. Im not some sort of handicapped person who locks up during a speech or anything, i have an aversion to important situations( like this which will make or break my job) and get flustered when i feel like im over my head. I just need to keep from blushing, stuttering and sweating the interviewers out of the room lol.

Any tips/personal suggestions from experience?

Thanks a bunch in advance guys, im just trying to prepare to be my best with this.

--zach

[pac201]

practice, practice, practice!!! in front of the mirror, and record it so that you can review it.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

1st - DO NOT ingest any stimulants the day of your interview. This includes crack, meth AND/OR coffee. You're evidently nervous and jittery enough. Conversely, no marijuana, quaaludes, heroin or Wild Turkey to "calm your nerves" or "get even." That's probably still frowned upon.

2nd - Remember to breathe. If you get so nervous you hold your breath, you'll get light-headed and pass out. While your panel will definitely remember you, it won't be due to any stellar answers you gave. Be remembered for the good stuff.

3rd - Focus on the questions themselves and not necessarily what's at stake (i.e. you get the job or not). In reality, you have no control over how you're scored, how any other applicants answer or how THEY are scored. The only thing you have control over is you.

4th - The panel is going to be interviewing lots of people. Some will be nervous and some won't. If you hear your voice tremble a little bit, don't effing flip out about it. Suck it up and drive on. 4b. Don't drink milk that morning. Milk and other dairy products can affect your vocal chords, causing you to constantly clear your throat or otherwise make you sound funny. An old singer's trick.... (Yes, I can sing "Babaloo") 4c. If you need to, clear your throat a few seconds before you enter the room. You don't wanna be doing that in front of the panel.

5th - If you're one of those that needs to think up an answer ahead of time: practice, practice, practice. Oh yeah. Good one pac201! When you're confident in your answers, it will take your stress level down a notch or two.

Good luck!

[pac201]

thanks Sgt., I thought of that on my own...I do public speaking and I still practice.(been at it since 1979)

[Sgt. Slaughter]

HA! As you can tell, I don't practice. I just open my mouth and pray that whatever I say doesn't make it on YouTube!

[pac201]

that's why I practice...(are we hijacking this thread???)

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Mebeh just a little.

[deputywave]

My question is what do you guys suggest to calm your nerves down before and during the interview?

Jack Daniels and an unexpected outburst of obscenities.

[pac201]

Jack Daniels and an unexpected outburst of obscenities.

Bwahahahaha!!!

[Joeyd6]

1) Wear a suit.
2) Get a haircut.
3) Shave.
4) Wear dress shoes.
5) Watch the sock color...make sure it matches!
6) Put your hands on your lap or on the desk and keep them together.
7) Breathe!
8) Smile!

[viperphi]

Use an English accent. Trust me, you'll sound smarter. But the aristorcratic one, not the street one. Or is you want to intimidate them into giving you the job, go with East German or Russian.

[Norwich2012]

thanks to most of you

[Norwich2012]

today i had my interview. aced the video statement part and felt i did well in the interview.

it is amazing how much of a bag of **** they can make you feel over the smallest things while also approving of what you say. and videotaping it.

i was completely honest throughout and had to deal with 30 mins of agonizing interrogation when underage drinking in my past was brought up (nothing on record).

at the 1/3ish mark , one of the sargents smiled and said "youre doing fine" and at the end, they said to watch for some mail telling me to come for fngerprinting and a possible polygraph, and that they wouldnt be telling me that if i hadnt done well.

i take it i did alright.............

[Safety Steve]

Sounds like good news Norwich. Keep us posted.

Be Safe.

[Adrenolize]

Congrats! I know your pumped!

My plan before reading this thread was to stare wide eyed and respond to every question with 'I know!, Right?!?' I think I'm now going to go with the Turrets and random screaming tactic.