How to Survive a Bad Interview
Congratulations! You got past the resume review and landed an interview. You have prepared thoroughly, rehearsed, got dressed in your finest suit, and arrived on time. Just then you realize that the interview is going south. Maybe you fumbled a question or two. Perhaps the hiring manager is ill-prepared or giving you the old poker face. It may not look good for your job prospects, but don’t give up yet. It is possible to salvage a bad interview with the following three step approach.
Keep It Positive
Whatever happens, keep your chin up and a smile on your face. A job interview is never the right time to get impatient, angry, or aggressive with the hiring manager. Avoid making the mistake of interpreting their poker face as disinterest in you. It very likely has nothing to do with you. Some managers use this as a tool to not give away too much information to candidates. Others don’t want to let you know just how interested they are. Additionally, the recruiter could have other business or personal distractions on their mind.
Address the Issue
You can’t fix a problem if you don’t know what the problem is. If you get the sense that an interviewer is doubtful that you are the right person for the job, ask them why. It is perfectly fine to ask something like, “I get the sense that you have some hesitations about my fit for the position. If you don’t mind, I would like to address your concerns.” This tactic can turn a lackluster interview into an impressive one.
Give Thanks
I’ve written about the power of a handwritten thank you note before. They can often separate you from the competition. In the case of a less-than-stellar interview, a nicely crafted thank you can get you back into the running. Make sure to send the card immediately after the interview so that it arrives in a timely fashion.
An interview that starts to head in the wrong direction doesn’t have to end in disaster. It isn’t easy, but often they can be salvaged.
Danielle Foppe is a Recruitment Manager at Business Centric Technology. If you are interested in learning more about how to get the best IT talent in the Dallas metroplex, contact Danielle specializes in recruiting IT talent in Dallas, Ft. Worth and North Texas. If you are looking for a rewarding career contact us today.