What should I do if my mind goes blank during the interview?
Recovering When Your Mind Goes Blank in a Civil Service Interview
Hello,
I have an AO interview coming up and I sometimes freeze when I am put on the spot. In a recent mock interview, I knew I had a suitable example but could not remember how to start it.
I filled the silence with unrelated detail, then lost the structure completely. I am worried the same thing will happen with the panel.
What should I do in the moment?
Quick Answer
Pause rather than filling the silence. Ask for the question to be repeated if needed, identify the main demand, choose your example and begin with one simple sentence of context; a short thinking pause is safer than an unfocused answer.
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On this page
How I Would Build a Recovery Routine for This AO Interview
Continue reading to see the exact steps I would practise, how to use prompts and what to say when the first example still will not come back.
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