"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill
Staying positive while job hunting can be tough, especially if it's been awhile since your last success. Looking for a new job is right up there with moving on the list of things people dread doing. Unfortunately, job hunting takes a whole lot longer than packing a truck. Landing the perfect job is largely an outcome of maintaining a great attitude. As hard as it may be, it is absolutely crucial to remain optimistic -- even after the worst of interviews.
Everyone has a bad interview now and then. Even the most patient person gets frustrated after getting the run around. It is important to know how to handle these mini-travesties when they happen.
Here are some quick ways to shake it off, find the silver lining and get your job search right back on track.
How to Handle a Bad Interview1) Get it off your chest by talking about it with someone you trust. Everyone needs to vent, so indulge your emotional side for a few hours and tell the story. It'll feel good to have rehashed it. The last thing you want is for pent up frustration to effect the next interview. Get it all out and then prepare to move on.
"Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain." Lily Tomlin (1939 - )
2) Admit mistakes and fix them. If you were late, if you tripped up, if you forgot to tuck in your shirt - whatever it was, seize the opportunity to learn and grow. You have the ability to change your actions and become an even better candidate the next time around.
"The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn what we need to learn; whatever steps we take, they're necessary to reach the places we've chosen to go." Richard Bach, The Bridge Across Forever
3) How qualified were you? Now that you know what these qualifications are, you can address them. If you are missing a particular skill, figure out the best way to address it. Either be open and honest about not possessing that knowledge or go out and seek training. Do not let a few missing skills dissuade you from you're pursuit. If you are reasonably within reach, keep striving.
4) Use your follow up to reconnect on missed opportunities or small talk. Often interviews can go well with the Q & A, but fall flat on personal rapport. If you were unable to find a small talk opportunity to connect with a potential employer on a more personal level, use your follow up to do so. Consider an email or call the following day asking a legitimate question and take that opportunity to try again.
On the other hand, remember that an interview is just as much for your sake as it is the employer. If no chemistry was present and you felt uncomfortable, ask yourself if this is really the job for you.
5) Take the opportunity to assess your interview performance. What did you say? What did you not say? How was you demeanor? Could you have been more prepared? Even after a successful interview, it is important to evaluate yourself. Adjusting your "sales pitch" on an ongoing basis will help your cause tremendously.
"Continually strive to improve yourself." Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book
6) Never burn bridges. While the temptation is there to let the would-have-been-employer really know how you feel, absolutely nothing positive will come from this. Instead follow up with a letter or note, thanking them for the opportunity, regret that it did not work out at this time. Consider stating "please keep me in mind" so they know you would be interested in future opportunities. In some situations you may even be able to ask if they can recommend other companies or contacts.
"He who burns his bridges better be a dang good swimmer" - Unknown
Your job hunt is bound to be full of ups and downs alike. It's how you recover from the bad moments that will matter in the end. Persistence and the courage to dust yourself off are characteristics of any success story. Learn, grow and smile -- the right job is just around the corner.
Have an awful interview experience you would like to share? Any tips we missed? Disagree with our advice? Make your voice heard in our comments below!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Elena says: (4:11AM on Mar 30th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I had an extremely bad and very good one interview last week, so I could compare both organizations and people working there.
Let's focus about the bad one: The head of the European organization in that division did not even read my résumé. She was an extremely ignorant woman who could neither understand nor ask anything... though she mastered arrogance; I found this behavior her wall to stop people from addressing to her and find out she could only bla, bla... and an MBA in Management.
I learned from it, but I was upset because of the small value she placed on my capabilities and experience, and because of the time/money I wasted for the interview. I had no questions to ask either… who could I have interest in working there?
Anyway, I am so glad I met this woman just on time… she could have been my superior... how to work like that?
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Patrick Mahoney says: (6:33PM on May 25th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
Yea things can go wrong at an inteview.
I was going on my 3rd interview for a good job that paid well. Have been unemployed for 6 months.
Usually put my shirt, tie and jacket in the car and put them on after I arrive at the interview. This, in an effort to keep the cloths smelling and looking good.
Forgot my shirt and tie and had to use a tee-shirt that said Hurly on the front. Of course I wore the suit jackett.
Looked at the interviews face when she saw me and new it was all over.
"Life goes on long after the feeling of living has gone" John Melloncamp
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Megyn says: (1:14PM on Aug 15th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I had a bad interview yesterday. I walked out feeling like I had been hit by a truck. This is just a part time job to help my family and it's something I could do very well. I have a good amount of experience in the work place and have always been nervous but confident in interviews. I love this company and would really enjoy a new beginning here. Well...
My interviewer was 25 minutes late. We had this long walk to a small, stuffy cramped office in the back of a storeroom. I felt like I was walking the Green Mile. We sat down, I tripped over the chair when my purse got caught up in the wheels because I had to put it on the floor. We get settled. Then, we go thru the usual questions....why do you want to work here? The interviewer notices a paper in my folder that had another appt confirmed on it. My bad! I was reaching for my resume to hand her and it slipped out. She commented "so I see you're interviewing everywhere." (It's just one other place.) Gulp. I just said Yes I am. And changed the subject. The comment seemed unecessary. I had previously worked for a major corp for many years. She asked in a sour tone..."why not just go back there?" I thought I answered well in saying I got as far as I could and wanted a change. I enjoyed it but was at a different time in my life and this position would be a better fit now. It seemed no matter what I said, I tripped over my own tongue. The room was hot and I was getting sweaty. I had a bottle of water I had to keep sipping because of the heat and cotton mouth. I rambled like an idiot during some questions and the interviewer just stared at me when I finished. She mentioned 2nd interviews. Is that a good sign?
When we walked out (after she cut the interview short saying she had another interview) she just walked away to greet her next interview who obviously her friend! They we're all "OMG you look so great, I've missed you." I feel like such a failure. I blew it and will be on pins and needles for the next week to see if I get the " we're sorry call" the "2nd interview call" (so I can redeem some dignity) or no call at all.
So, did I blow it? My head is spinning.
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Maja says: (11:57AM on Mar 1st 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I'm sorry you went through that I just had a horrible interview myself and stumbled onto this article as I attempt to feel better by googling things. If she mentioned a second interview then I think that's definitely a good sign. Keep your chin up I hope it goes well!
jimd says: (1:28PM on Mar 15th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
It sounds like you didn't blow it. Its more like you were victim to a bad interviewer who already wanted to rule you out as a candidate so that their friend could get the job. Do you really want to work for a company that makes you wait 25 minutes? You don't state it, but was the interviewer apologetic about being late? There is nothing wrong with them knowing you are interviewing somewhere else. Obviously, your skills are in demand and you are keeping your options open. Also, EVERYONE gets nervous.
Cecilia Gonzalez says: (6:28PM on Feb 27th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I just had my second interview for a pretty much entry level that deals with unemployed individuals of all ranks. The panel of three interviewers started with the routine questions: why do you want to work here? what was your biggest mistake? how did you corrected? etc. I was honest, confident, yet nervous ( naturally after not having an interview in three years), however I prepared myself.
To close the interview, I was hit with the must question: do you have any questions?
I then hit the panel with the following question that I extracted from a good resourceful job interview book:
"Now that we have discuss my skills and experiences and you know more about me, do you have any concerns about me meeting the standards of this position?"
One of the managers right away told me I should not ask this question; according to her this question set me out from the opportunity of getting the position, because it shows I have no confidence in myself.
I have the feeling that this mgr. wanted to hear the monotonous questions used on this closing section of the interviews. I told her I had confidence, but also I wanted to know their impression of what I presented during the interview.
However, I believe that if the interview went close to well, I, kill the expectations of landing on that position that I really wanted and I have prepared for a while.
Please give me some feedback, by the way I have a strong accent, which intimidates me, and even though I have worked on it, I have not been successful.
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RH says: (10:12AM on Feb 11th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I had the worst interview today. Sitting there I realised that I was so not suited for the position and I could see on the interviewers faces that they thought I had no idea what I was talking about. I am generally a confident person and I find it easy to communicate with people but I think my problem was that I chose to interview for a job that I really didn't want to do. I was attracted my the company and I really wanted to work for that organisation. I thought it would say alot about me if I worked there. I was also attracted by the pay and by the fact that the job included travel. It just goes to show how we can convince ourselves that we want something even though deep down we know that it's not the right thing for us. I've been without a job for just over a month now. I wasn't retrenched or fired, just decided to resign and look for new opportunities. My previous job was good but just wasn't challenging me and I felt like my knowledge was diminishing with each passing day. Right now, since it's still raw, I feel very foolish and I feel like I embarassed myself and it's hard to just shake it off but I guess the lesson here is that you should only apply and interview for positions that you really want and that you know you can manage and do well in. Irrespective of your qualifications, experience is very important and you shouldn't let anyone try to convince you that you "above" any position. Know you strengths and weaknesses, what you can and can't do and done oversell who you are. Be honest with yourself first.
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Belinda naylor says: (5:08PM on Oct 26th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
Love your honesty can relate to your experience
Mary says: (5:20AM on May 25th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I had a really bad interview yesterday. I was asked question after question, most of which I can tell I did not give the right answers for. I was hot, I could feel the sweat running down my chest and my head felt like it was stuffed with cotton wool. I thought I had prepared (having not interviewed for two years) but it was a disaster. Knowing looks were exchanged between the panel and I knew when I left the building, I had no hope. Unfortunately, I really really wanted the job and am really unhappy where I am at the moment. I think I probably came over as desperate. I didn't say anything about where I am, just that I needed fulfilment and to move on etc. but I just know I won't be asked back for a second interview. I don't understand it but I completely fell to pieces.
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katflowers says: (8:43AM on Dec 7th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I had a terrible interview OMG first I couldnt believe she had an office that the sun shined into my eyes as I tried answering questions while facing her so I was completely blinded which she did nothing to help the situation.I looked like I was on some type of drugs squinting my eyes and using my hands to block the rays of light beaming into my eyes which then made my eyes water and made me sneeze which then cause my mascara to run . Then she was so busy talking about what she needed to be doing besides interviewing me...I kept most answers short and simple. Then I get a call telling me she went another applicant....after I gave up any hope of knowing whatever happened. Oh not to mention the chair I was to sit in was like a kindergarten chair with really tall legs that I couldnt even get up on.....Better luck next time.
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Y says: (3:06PM on Mar 31st 2012) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I had an interview to work with children with special needs. I had been unemployed for 2 1/2 months at this point so I really needed a job. Anyways, I got to the interview about 10mins early and was kinda nervous. I was let in and was told to wait by the receptionist. After maybe 20 minutes of waiting, an older man walks in and into the office. He's my interviewer and would be my manager. After that I waiting an extra 1/2hr. So almost an hour after arriving he finally came out and sat on the couch next to me and started the interview right there in the waiting area.
I was taken aback but went through it. This man kept me there for almost 2hrs talking about the job and how he started the agency, and talked about his wife and family. He did ask me some interview questions but mostly talked about himself while I just sat there nodding. I don't know why I didn't get up and leave but I think I was just in shock of his lack of professionalism. He then asked me about my last name and said "Is that Spanish? Because Spanish people, like the French, are spicy people that have quick tempers. And you need to be able to have control of your temper when working with kids." He kept rambling on and would look at my resume and say "I think you would be good for the job, if you really are who you say you are that is." Then he said something that just sounded ridiculous that it took everything in me to not burst out laughing. He goes "it is a very satisfying feeling when you have touched a child." I know what he meant but seriously, he could have worded it better. Also, when he brought up what the starting wage was he quickly mumbled under his breath that he couldn't pay me the wage that was advertised. He, instead, would have to pay me significantly much less. Which was an insult considering the amount of experience and education I had.
Finally, at the end of almost 2hrs he says "well, if it were up to me I would hire you but I don't do the hiring. So you'll have to come back to have a 2nd interview with the hiring manager. We'll give you a call to set that up." The whole situation was ridiculous that by this point I was so dazed from sitting there for so long, I just nodded and left. Driving home it hit me and I could not stop laughing it was so crazy. Needless to say, I declined the 2nd interview and have thankfully found a job with a government accredited agency. THANK GOODNESS!!
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