Recovering from a Bad Interview: Turning Setbacks into Comebacks

Before reading this, understand that we've all been there: that dreaded feeling of having made a misstep during an interview. Maybe you stumbled over your answers, misunderstood a question, or simply felt out of sync with the interviewer. Regardless of the specifics, a bad interview can dent your confidence. But don't be disheartened; it’s happened and it's all part of the journey. Here’s how you can bounce back stronger:

Accept and Reflect

It's natural to feel disappointed in your preparation, performance yourself, but wallowing in self-pity won't help. As hard as it is to pull yourself out of a mental sea of anguish, take a step back and reflect. What went wrong? Was it lack of preparation, nerves, or perhaps an external factor? Recognising the issue is the first step to addressing it.

Seek Feedback

It’s okay to ask for feedback. In fact, it’s highly recommended. Good interviewers generally feedback as part of the selection process, so it’s not an unusual request. This isn’t about defending yourself but genuinely understanding areas of improvement. It can provide clarity and give you specific areas to focus on for the next time.

Analyse the Experience

Take a step back and pick a quiet space. Write down what you felt went wrong soon after the interview. This fresh perspective can be a helpful resource when preparing for future interviews.

Practice Makes Perfect

Based on the feedback and your analysis, practice your weak areas. This could be answering common interview questions, improving your body language, or learning to articulate your thoughts better under pressure. The importance of interview preparation cannot be underestimated! Not preparing sufficiently will undermine your interview performance deplete your confidence. Make sure you arrive at the interview, fully armed with specific responses to the answer common questions. Our programs and eCourses not only have a list of tricky questions candidates seem to always stumble over, but scripts and an entire framework to guide our members to answer questions that also showcases their talents and strengths.

Seek a Support System

It can sometimes feel isolating when this type of setback happens. Share your experience with mentors, peers, or close friends. Often, they can provide a different perspective, constructive feedback, or even just the emotional support you need. Join a support group with people going through the same thing as you. This way, you don't feel so isolated in this process and get the support you need in the same place.

Mindset Matters

Remember, everyone has off days. Instead of seeing the interview as a failure, view it as a learning opportunity to get even better at it. Adopting a growth mindset can make a world of difference in how you perceive and respond to setbacks.

Focus On The Next Opportunity

Rather than dwelling on one missed opportunity, focus on preparing for the next. Update your CV, enhance your skills, and continue applying for roles that align with your aspirations. 

Rebuild Your Confidence

Engage in activities that make you feel competent and satisfied. This could be tasks at your current job, volunteer work, or even personal hobbies. Success, in any form, can help rebuild your confidence.

Consider Professional Guidance

If you consistently find interviews challenging, consider seeking assistance. Career counsellors, coaches, or interview preparation workshops can offer valuable insights and strategies to put you in the strongest possible position in securing your next role.

Remember, It's Not Always You

Sometimes, it's not about your performance but rather the fit with the organization. Maybe the company culture, role, or team dynamics just weren't right in this instance. Remember that not all roles are perfect, and there would have been something about this role that didn’t quite feel right. It may not feel like it now, but it’s also possible the hirers recognised it during the interview and applied some foresight in deciding it wasn’t the right fit for you in the long term. It's essential to find a position where both you and the company feel it’s a good match.

A bad interview, while disheartening, is not the end of the world. It's a single chapter in the expansive story of your professional journey. By approaching it with resilience, a willingness to learn, and a dash of self-compassion, you can turn any setback into a setup for a brighter career opportunity ahead. Remember, it's not the stumble that defines us, but how we pick ourselves up and keep moving forward.

If you want more on giving really outshining the competition, download the FREE guide here.

And if you prefer to dive into a longer, detailed call with me, you can book your private call here.  We can privately look at:

• The actual problems which made the interview difficult
• A customised plan to move you past this stage of your job search
• 2 actionable points to apply straight away for immediate results

Wishing you so much success,