What can I do about shaky hands?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

Hey everyone,

I previously made a thread asking why I have had no luck with obtaining internships (http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1753958-why-can-i-not-find-an-internship.html#latest), and I think one of the reasons might be that I seem more nervous than I actually am during interviews, which might be a turn-off for potential employers. My hands naturally have tremors, and they’re noticeable if I just lift them in the air during any time. However, the tremors are more pronounced if I have caffeine or if I am more nervous, like for an exam or interview. I consider myself to be the “normal” about of nervousness for interviews, but my hands shake a lot more than what I actually feel. For instance, during a (failed) case interview, I was showing the interviewer what I was doing with my math. When I went to point at the paper, however, I noticed that my hand was moving in all sorts of directions, even though my mind (to me) stayed calm.

I’m not going to be a surgeon, so I really don’t think this should be an issue, but I feel like employers who don’t know better might think I’m some sort of nervous train wreck. Should I be concerned about pointing this out in interviews, or might there be something else wrong with what I do? I’m a third-year ChemE with a ~3.8 GPA, so it’s really disheartening that I haven’t been able to secure anything yet.

2

You need to talk to a physician. Your condition might improve with a little medication.

3

Beta blockers or another type of medication will get rid of all the physical symptoms of anxiety. Talk to your doctor.

4

Yes, I would think that you could take some medication. But if that doesn’t work, you could try just telling your interviewer the truth honestly. I don’t know, maybe explain to them about your condition.
I would think that would help you in some aspects (they’ll know you aren’t really nervous, as it appears).

5

I´m a German who´s suffered from ET since I´m 12 years old and it was always my dream – despite of ET - to become a mechanical engineer. Finally I made it … during a “not so easy” study period and a challenging world of employment.

Maybe it´s interesting to exchange thoughts about it.