I have a problem with job interviews. I always seem to not do well at them. My mind blanks whenever I get asked a question. I'm not dumb, but I never seem to understand the question. I prepare, but no luck. I'm so timid. Can you help?

Here's what you need to remember FI...you are interviewing them also. It is not a one-way street. You need to ask them questions that you would like to have answered. They ask you "why should we hire you...what can you bring to our company"? You ask them, "I have these skills and am very good at implementation...is this position something that will utilize my strengths?" Don't be abrasive at all. But it is in your best interest to make sure it is a good fit. You are not a beggar here...you have skills from which they can benefit. Remember that. Happy Friday! :)

would you believe that there are state-employed job counselors probably working near you who can help you on this problem. tell them the problem and they can role play with you, practice, build your skills, give you honest feedback. it can be scary, especially when i'm desperate. going into the interview as believing that i am the person who will solve their problem has helped me. they have a problem that they're not really telling you - lots of patients, need to get records on computer, etc. and you can help them with that problem. when i focus on, "i need to be able to afford bread next week", they pick up on my desperation and don't make an offer.

I would say mock interviews are the key. Have friends (and collegues if appropriate) ask interview type questions to you in a formal setting. This will help you to keep your cool when its the real deal.

You've gotten some pretty good advice but I'd consider not bothering as much with friends and relatives and focus on getting help/advice/role playing from professionals. There are a variety of no/low cost rescources including the state/churchs/community colleges/YW(M)CA's etc.
Good luck.

the best defense is a good offense ... know your abilities and what it is that you can bring to the table ... while you shouldn't have pat answers to every question, it is good to work and create a framework of general ideas before you ever go into the interview ... it's just a matter of being confident ... your attitude and personality goes a long way on the initial interview to winning them over ... it's much easier to teach someone step 1,2,3 of the business rather than teaching them initiative, enthusiasm, teamwork, ethics, etc

Practice makes perfect. Do some interviews with a friend or family member in the days leading up to the real interview. Find out as much as you can about the company you are going to and try and think of questions they might ask you. A lot of questions are very similar in every job interview and you will get asked them over and over.

Do some practice interviews. write up your own questionare of questions you think an interviewer would ask. or what you have been asked. let them make up a couple questions to get you on the road to reality. then drag in a drafted volunteer from your neighborhood to read you the questions. you have to act like its real and respond. do it several times with different people til you are comfortable with it.