Bounce Back From Failed Interview

31 Comments

1. AnonymousDecember 2,2025 at 6:06PM UTC

   Couple of things:

   1. You said last week - just last week? Thanksgiving week?
   2. Were you informed of when you could expect to hear?
   3. Follow-up once more by end of week if you don't hear anything additional.
   4. I'm seeing a lot lately that this is a question you don't ask during the interview.
2. AnonymousDecember 2,2025 at 8:37PM UTC

   It's never just one job available out there. To focus on a failed interview will only slow your momentum and keep you stuck. I focus only on my wins and my desires. I honestly believe my next job is waiting. I practice on gratitude and knowing if something doesn't work it just means it wasn't the one.

3. AnonymousDecember 2,2025 at 10:42PM UTC

   I would have continued the conversation asking him what the next steps, timeline to hear back and such rather than waiting for him to tell you.

4. AnonymousDecember 2,2025 at 11:46PM UTC

   That is a good strategy that she can use next time-- unless she gets offered the job anyway.

5. AnonymousDecember 2,2025 at 11:45PM UTC

   You don't know for sure that you aren't still being considered for the position. Why not send him another email reiterating your interest and explaining your concern about the one interview question. Reassure him that upon taking time to think about the question, your best answer is__________. At that point, it's all you can do. Then if you don't get the job, reapply for the next suitable vacancy at that company, as well as continuing to apply elsewhere. Learn from your mistakes but don't beat yourself up about them. Our perception of how an interview went isn't always accurate; there have been times when I thought it all went wonderfully, but I wasn't offered the job, while another time when I thought I really blew it, I got the job.

6. AnonymousDecember 3,2025 at 1:57PM UTC

   You are very brave as you have give it your best and are prepared. Opportunities and luck are for the people who are prepared, never give up and keep trying. Don’t worry about not getting this role, keep applying for different roles to practice and see what’s the best fit for you. In hindsight, you never know for sure if the company is good or not even on paper it seems to be good.

7. SPQDecember 3,2025 at 4:02PM UTC

   Sometimes, as much as you want a job, as much as you are qualified for it, you just can't vibe with a person.

   If you felt like he misunderstood you and you misunderstood him at times, this may not be a good working relationship off the bat. To think of it in another way, you went on your first blind date since 2021. Cool. Everything is awesome about this person on paper, they make good money, and you can see a future with them, even kids. All green flags. But then there were some silences in the convo on your date. And some questions you asked were responded to strangely and vice versa. You go home and you're holding on to a dream or perception, waiting for that call back or text response, instead of just saying "well, that was good, but I haven't dated for 4 years so that was good practice, I gave it my best shot, I gotta move on cause life is too short to dwell on a single person."

   Other opportunities will present themselves. Revel in the success you got an interview and presented yourself well. Ride the momentum and see if you can move up in your current company, or keep applying to the same one for different roles. You can try to land one of those and pivot into your desired one.

8. Nancy CincottaDecember 5,2025 at 1:33PM UTC

   This is the BEST analogy!

9. GirlBossanova934974December 3,2025 at 4:25PM UTC

   You are getting way way ahead of yourself. You don't know if you have been rejected. Companies usually don't make decisions around Thanksgiving. You don't know if the interviewer disliked your response. You don't know the hiring timeline or if there are other candidates being interviewed this week.....I could go on and on....

10. Charisse JordanDecember 3,2025 at 4:48PM UTC

    It's really rough out there right now. The first interview you kinda shake off the cobwebs and the more often you interview the better you get. There is software out there that will ask questions so you can practice your responses, that can be a substitute for interviewing at different companies. If you're employed hold tight and keep checking in at that company for other opportunities. If you aren't employed, I'm sure there are similar companies and similar roles just keep your eye out. I wish you well!

11. AnonymousDecember 3,2025 at 5:20PM UTC

    Give it some time, it has only been a week. Wait until the end of this one and then once again reach out asking for an update to your candidacy and also ask them to close the loop if you are no longer being considered.

12. Jos WallerDecember 3,2025 at 5:27PM UTC

    Please follow-up with a question about next steps. There is no need to wait on this and it definitely should have come up during the interview. Something along the line of "This didn't come up but" and see what they say.

13. AnonymousDecember 3,2025 at 5:40PM UTC

    It's hard to say. You didn't provide the question nor your answer to his first question. We could hear that and pick it a part but what I really read within your post was you asked if you would be moving forward (not in those exact words) and he indicated interest, but that doesn't mean he will. Now, if this is a state job, it's very common not to hear anything or start for months. If it's corporate, here's the thing, follow up, list in your email the 3 top duties and how you match each. End with, I look forward to a favorable reply. That's all you can do. If you do not hear anything you have no choice but to move on.

14. SheilaDecember 3,2025 at 8:13PM UTC

    Things in the short run are tied to political and economic factors employers are more hesitant to hire and you could just be caught in a bit on analysis paralysis. Also, it is coming up on the holiday season and they may be waiting on adding new staff until the new year. I know this doesn't answer your question, but I do hope it helps put things in perspective for you.

    Best wishes and Good luck!

15. AnonymousDecember 4,2025 at 3:26PM UTC

    The question you asked, the phrasing, is very confusing. I would have heard “Do you think I’m a good fit or that you should move forward and continue your search?”. Next time, perhaps rephrase it: “What next steps in the hiring process?”. Usually, if the answer is “We’ll be doing additional interviews before making decisions” or something to that effect - it’s probably going to be a No. If the answer is something along the lines of “You should be hearing from so-and-so about next steps” - good sign!

    if I may ask, what was the first question he asked that you felt unsure about?

16. AnonymousDecember 5,2025 at 2:40PM UTC

    I always think the question about next steps in the hiring process is excellent to ask. I also think questions like, "is there anything I can further clarify or expand upon to ensure I am a good fit?" if they say "no" that doesn't mean you are moving forward though, just that they have made up their mind but occasionally they will ask another question if they are on the fence. You should also answer the question of why you are a good fit, even if not asked....end the interview with what you think you could bring to the role, whether that is technical skills, leadership, communication style, etc. Something to the effect of "I'm very interested/excited/intrigued by the opening you have. I believe my skills around XXX would be a great asset to your team and the organization." Your words, but you get the drift - why do they want to hire you vs. someone else and you can do that in your closing of the interview if not directly asked.

17. AnonymousDecember 8,2025 at 6:11PM UTC

    He asked me to tell him about myself and to start with my education. I thought that was odd because he had my resume in front of him. I answered the question briefly including that piece of information. Then he wanted to know why I went from legal into working with engineers in the public sector. I had to be careful how I answered that question because that would've revealed my family situation which I didn't want to have that affect my chances of the opportunity. The family matter is not an issue anymore. I answered it smoothly. Overall when I reflect on the interview I just didnt feel I connected what I do in clearest way to help them feel confident about choosing. I was so frustrated after the interview because I felt the HR Manager really wanted me to land the job. He even asked me how I would rate my communication skills. That hit me like a ton of bricks because thats something I always work on and it affected my confidence after that. I know next time to be better prepared for that question.

18. Aaliyah Serianna OlsonDecember 5,2025 at 1:26PM UTC

    I feel the same way. You're not alone.

19. Deborah MichaliszynDecember 5,2025 at 1:38PM UTC

    I've bounced back from many failed interviews in my life. But it feels more hurtful now than it did when I was young. If you find yourself getting depressed, get antidepressants now because the job hunt is a long road, it takes a few weeks for them to work and feeling down can actually put you in the wrong mood for different interviews if the one you wanted failed. I hate to put meds first, but I mean, I suffered along and when I finally did it, now I'm fine. When you feel bad, you have to go through the process, that's all there is too it. You feel down for a few days, then you accept it and move on. If that becomes over a week, and you feel burnt out and have low motivation for anything other than watching TV, see your doctor because there is no reason for a job hunt to destroy your mental health. It will seem fruitless after a while, jumping through hoops, getting your hopes up each time, and then hearing nothing at all. it will get to you. So, take care of yourself. Eat healthy, get some exercise and fresh air, don't forget your hobbies, your family, and other things, and get good sleep. just do it all logically. Get help when you need it, financial, emotional, any kind, don't waste time. Take care of business.

20. WandaDecember 5,2025 at 1:54PM UTC

    You can bounce back by fully knowing and acknowledging that you took ownership of what you could control - by practicing and being prepared.

21. AnonymousDecember 5,2025 at 1:56PM UTC

    Hold the hiring manager accountable for giving feedback so you know where you could potentially improve the next time.

22. AnonymousDecember 7,2025 at 1:22AM UTC

    HMs do not give out feedback. Not their job, and they don't want to be held liable for anything. If feedback is given, it would be superficial and not useful. The reason we don't get hired usually has very little to do with us.

23. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachDecember 5,2025 at 3:06PM UTC

    If you haven’t heard anything it isn’t necessarily dead. There are tons of reasons it may take weeks to hear anything.

    Keep in mind that you may have done well, however one or two others may also have done well and there could be factors beyond your control as to why they chose another candidate.

    If you can get feedback from them, do, but only ask once you have a definitive “no.” In the meantime it’s aok to send a friendly email asking the status and indicating continued interest.

24. Carol GorskiDecember 5,2025 at 4:22PM UTC

    There are 100 reasons you have not heard back yet. Send a cordial email to the recruiter or hiring manager indicating you continued interest in the position and if a status update is available. There other jobs out there and pursue them with confidence!

25. AnonymousDecember 6,2025 at 5:02AM UTC

    This is okay. You are trying to find a better job while being at your current job. You can continue doing the same going past any rejection without much of a loss. Good luck in your job search!

26. AnonymousDecember 7,2025 at 1:20AM UTC

    First, you know nothing other than you haven't heard anything YET. You sent the TY, now perform follow-up by email every 7-10 days, a light touch note letting them know you are highly interested.

    You asked your question awkwardly, from the beginning of the question i was certain the end would be 'to not hire me'. I think it's more usual to ask: Is there anything that would keep you from hiring me, have you seen any gaps in my background. Now i say that's 'normal' because most insist on asking that question. I would never recommend that question. At the end of 30-45 minutes together, hopefully some chemistry has been generated - and here comes a question asking them to reflect on negatives.

    Anyway, 2025 job market is not the time to try a stretch or promo role. Way too much competition for that to happen, unless you have networking support. Lateral role is the best bet this year. Look for lateral responsibilities, and understand that 6 months is what it's taking to land this year. Many well qualified people are applying to hundreds of jobs this year and experience a 3-5% rate of gaining a phone screen. It's a never seen market, with all the admin changes, DOGE cuts, lack of gov funding, tariffs, etc.

    Be prepared to dig in and go for it. Networking is key and your best bet. Good luck!

27. Gloria HornerDecember 7,2025 at 5:01PM UTC

    Several things:

    First, while the job was advertised, it is still possible, the company/hiring team already had a person in mind they wanted/were going to hire. Wrong? OK, sure, it’s wrong, but, but, but. It happens. Maybe the person they want is there, known, already doing the job to some extent. Unfortunate, but it happens. In that case there was very little you could do beyond being the best candidate, except for that other person who truly might have been the BEST candidate for that job.

    Learn from it, what about the questions didn’t work for you, or seem off, or anything else? Look at those questions, what can you learn, what is your take away?

    Yes, the job seemed perfect for/to you. Assume that position will open again in a short period of time. Prepare for that job. A good practice and rehearsal is always a good way to learn and grow. Don’t let that opportunity get away from you.

    See if there is any intel you can get on the company, hiring practices, who they hired, how that is working out. Just out of curiosity, no need to become a stalker, look at the way a coach looks at the next opposing team, what can you learn before you ever encounter that team.

    Reflect. If/When you do hear from them, send the sweetest, well professional I am a good loser letter. Reflect on what see they wanted. IF, IF, IF true mention something you have they want, and give an example. Thank them at the beginning and the end for the opportunity. Share how much you respect the company and their “product” whatever it is they do. Mention you would appreciate an opportunity to remain on their radar for any other openings in the near future.

    IF, IF, IF true, they wanted something you didn’t have or not enough, tell them you are working on it. And WORK ON IT!!!

    Just remember, maybe you didn’t perform as well as you would like, but, that doesn’t mean it was all your fault. Maybe there was something they wanted that you just didn’t have, soft skills, hard skills, who knows.

    Learn from this and grow.

    And, back to stalking...no, not really, but be sure to network with employees from that company, become a known commodity, one they’d like to bring on board.

    Good luck in the future.

28. AnonymousDecember 7,2025 at 5:30PM UTC

    Let go, and let God! You will land the role that you really want. Namaste.

29. AnonymousDecember 8,2025 at 5:50PM UTC

    Hello. I did.

30. SPQDecember 9,2025 at 10:53PM UTC

    Good on you for thanking them again and telling them to keep you in mind!

    My husband was very tenacious and "kept the relationship warm" just at the right time by keeping connected after the rejection. Then it just so happened someone quit and, since he was 3rd place (they were filling 2 spots), he got an offer when he asked for feedback!

    Just goes to show, you never know...

31. AnonymousDecember 11,2025 at 4:52PM UTC

    Thank you. I haven't received feedback from the follow-up email. Ive changed my mindset to work as if I got the role. Im sure things will change soon.