I agree with Jane that you probably already have people skills from raising a family and the many situations and people you have interacted with over the years and the fact that you are getting caled back indicates that you are doing well on the interviews. I also believe in the boyscout mantra: be prepared. Google interview questions and prepare answers in advance, Ask a family member or friend to do a mock interview with you. Some typical questions are "why do you want to work at this Company" and "why are you the best candidate." Research the company (Bloomberg.com is a great resource) and identify what you like/interests you about it. Look at the job description and think of how your skills fit. Anticipate questions that will make you uncomfortable such as why have you 've been out of the market and why are you looking to return now.Focus on your strengths and think of examples from volunteer work such as "i organized a major fundraiser for our school that raised over $10,000 or led a walk for cancer..." Think about classes you might take to refresh your skills. There are lots of on-line classes that are accessible and relatively inexpensive that will allow you to demonstate your iniiative and commitment to learning whatever you need to do the job. Finally, remember that you are checking them out as well. This always helps me shift my persepective a bit to being curious rather than nervous. Ask what their ideal candidate looks like. Ask why the job is available and whether there is growth potential. I am sure you will be successful in your search. Best of luck

I agree with Jane that you proabbaly already have people skills from raising a family and many situations and people you have interacted with over the years and the fact that you are getting called back indicates that you re din well on the interviews. I also beleive in the boycout mantra: be prepared. Google interview questions and prepare answers in advance, Ask a family member or friend to do a mock interview with you. Some typical questions are why do you want to work at this Company and why are you the best candidate, then research the company (Bloomberg.com is a great resource) and identify what you likeinterests you about it. Look at the job description and think of how your skills fit. Anticipate questions that will make you uncomfortable such as why have you 've been out of the market and why are you looking to return now.Focus on your strengths and think of examples from volunteer work such as "i organized a major fundraiser for our school that raised over $10,000 or led a walk for cancer..." Think about classes you might take to refresh your skills. There are lots of on-line classes that are accessible and relatively inexpensive that will demonstate your iniiative and committement to learning whatever you need to do the job. Finally, remember that you are checking them out as well. This always helpsme shift my persepective a bit to being curious rather than nervous. Ask what their ideal candidate looks like. Ask why the job is available and whether there is growth potential. I am sure you will be successful in your search.

Practise interviews with a friend learn your answers first by writing down possible questions and the answers. Put them in your words practise 5 times for transferable skills would be managing a household budget or note taking excetera.

No worries Margaret, because you're not alone. We all experience anxiety during job interviews and the employers know it. The great part is that you are already getting calls! Congratulations. Practice, practice, and more practice. Go to every interview you're asked to participate in. Even if you don't want the job, the experience is great. Prior to going to interviews--do your homework. Check out the website and learn as much as you possibly can. More importantly--check out the interview questions on the internet and prepare your answers beforehand--most interviewers ask the same questions. Always get the job announcement to the positions you are applying to and tie in your answers to the job at hand. I've been a manager for many years. Unfortunately, sometimes the employers have their own candidates and are just looking for a reason to rule you out. So do not be hard on yourself. I recently read that of all the jobs opening up--60% go to in-house applicants or candidates already selected through networking. Thus, many agencies go through the interview process because they may be legally required to do so. Rejection is part of the game, so please don't take it personal. It's just a tough world out there. But--you're getting calls, so the jobs will come. It's okay to take a breather in an interview and buy time to prepare the answer by saying, that's a great question and I believe...You'll be fine. Just prepare as much as you can beforehand. It quells most of the jitters. And, remember the genuine companies need your skills, expertise, and hard work as much as you need the job. Good luck! Elizabeth/NYC

Three things I always bring to all interviews:

1. Copies of my resume + professional references
2. Notepad and working pen
3. Bottle of water (I've always been offered coffee or water and I say, "Thank you, but I'm good." A huge time saver.)

I think we all get a little nervous interviewing. I find music relaxing. I'll wear my headphone's right up until I get called into the office.

That's because you're in a situation that you haven't experienced for a long time. The only "cure" for this anxiety is to interview as many times as you can. Ask family and friends to stage an "interview" to practice. Interviewing is like dating: you start out going on dates, you're really nervous, cautious...but the more you do, the more you understand what to expect and how to handle it. You will eventually get to the point where YOU'LL be running the interview instead of the other way around.

Margaret this is the same situation as I. For me feeling like I am not as "techy" as these young people causes me anxiety. But where you excel is life experience, and people skills. That will take you a lot farther than knowing software. You can learn software in a couple of months. You can't learn lifetime of people skills in a couple of months. As a mother you have the ability to be compassionate, and understanding to people's situations. I do not know the position you are applying for , but do not understimate your ability to succeed. If it's customer related, it's more important you treat people well, and a lot of young ones haven't learned that yet. To build confidence take some software classes like Microsoft Word and Excel, and Powerpoint, When you are having anxiety you are not staying in the now. You only have this very moment. Anxiety is worrying about future imagined events that most likely won't happen. So wasted energy there. Read the 1st 4 chapters of The Power of Now from Ekert Tolle and it will help you refocus as it does me when I get off track. Create a "toolkit" this book should be in there for you. Good Luck with job search. It's a job to find a job!