Tips for feeling better after a bombed interview

Anonymous

August 7,2023 at 7:33PM UTC

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Tips for feeling better after a bombed interview

I had a second interview at a job I wanted desperately. The problem is, I am in the thick of buying and renovating my first home, and it has been absolute chaos. I tried to prepare for the interview as best I could given the other stress I've got going on, but it apparently didn't work, and the answers I gave to their questions were scattered and in some cases didn't even make sense. On top of that, my internet cut out twice and I wasted several minutes trying to reconnect.

I am not one to be overly harsh on myself in interviews—I know when they go well. This one did not. I sent a thank you note attempting to clarify my answers to some questions but I know it won't be enough. Does anyone have any tips for how to feel better after an experience like this? I know it will take time, I know not to be too hard on myself, I know it was not ideal timing and probably for the best. Aside from that, any words of encouragement? Inspirational movie montages? I feel so disappointed in myself.

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AnonymousAugust 7,2023 at 7:57PM UTC
Keep moving forward!
AnonymousAugust 7,2023 at 9:23PM UTC
Take a deep breath and focus on all that is going well in your life.
AnonymousAugust 8,2023 at 6:11PM UTC
100%. Having a home to renovate in the first place is not something I thought I'd achieve in this lifetime, so grateful for that.
AnonymousAugust 7,2023 at 10:24PM UTC
It isn't your last go at a job you really desire. There will be another that comes along at a better time in your.
AnonymousAugust 7,2023 at 10:24PM UTC
*your life
AnonymousAugust 8,2023 at 6:12PM UTC
You're so right, there is always something else. it always seems like THE ONLY job, and it never is.
AnonymousAugust 8,2023 at 12:49AM UTC
I had a very similar situation a few months ago, early in my job interviews with a hiring manager, and did the same as you - followed up with a note to clarify some things, and I thought I actually did a pretty good job with it. I ended up not going any further in the process. I followed up with the recruiter to ask if the hiring manager had any feedback to offer that I could use to improve in the future, and didn't hear anything back. I was disappointed in myself too, but eventually I got to the point that I knew I did the best that I could, especially with my follow up, and if the hiring manager still didn't see enough in me that she wanted me to go further, then we probably weren't a good fit anyway. So onward and upward! Easier said than done, but that's the best we can do. And we'll do better next time and eventually find the right fit.
AnonymousAugust 8,2023 at 6:18PM UTC
Agree, I also felt better after sending the follow up email, even if it goes nowhere. And it's so easy to forget when you're in it that the fit has to go both ways. We'll get there!
AnonymousAugust 8,2023 at 11:18AM UTC
"Leave the gun and take the cannoli" moment. Yea, maybe you bombed it, it happens. Leave it there. We have all had a bad interview with being ultra prepared. Cut yourself some slack and enjoy a sweeter opportunity that is in your future. Learn from it, it brings value. Who doesn't feel good eating a cannoli? (ok, perhaps the lactose challenged), but sometimes it's worth it. Cannolis are always a good answer.
AnonymousAugust 8,2023 at 1:12PM UTC
One of those days that just prove that you are human. If that isn't good enough for them to see, and they decide to pass, it's their loss. They won't find anyone who doesn't have a bad day once in a while.
AnonymousAugust 8,2023 at 6:14PM UTC
I completely agree. The timing was absolutely horrendous and frankly it's hard to imagine starting a new job right after (or during!) this renovation.
AnonymousAugust 8,2023 at 10:32PM UTC
This happened to me once. Horrible experience. Some people are understanding, others not.
AnonymousAugust 9,2023 at 4:59PM UTC
Stop berating yourself, nothing always goes perfectly. For the next one remove yourself from your home and if you need to sit in your car explain to the interviewer that with the construction going on in there this week (capture it in a short period especially if its a WFH role or they may think it's always like this) you need to do the interview in the car. Or coffee shop, of laundromat or wherever. Be prepared with your questions about the company and craft a closing statement to the interviewer that because you are so enmeshed in the search construction etc. that you want to be sure that they asked you everything they needed and you responded to it all. You could write a funny note to the hiring manager for this specific company in this aftermath and let them know that while you were on the interview a plumber was fixing a giant leak in your house and you could not concentrate but didn't want to cancel, so you decided to float through (pun intended) .
Worst case you will find out if they actually have a sense of humour. Hopefully they do...
then get over it. Move onto the next one, and know that you are not an actress, and often stage fright takes over, kids cry in the background, toilets run over and you give the wrong answers...life will go on and you will for sure find a wonderful new place that wants you even if you internet crashes in the midst of the call.
AnonymousAugust 13,2023 at 12:17PM UTC
Lessons learned - I know it might not help now but the right role that is the right fit will come along. With all that is going on for you perhaps this just was t the right time. I always take quite a bit of time researching the company , annual report, interviews with any of the folks I will interview with - anything published about the function I interviewing for … if you plan out your process for your interview you will always be prepared! Don’t fret move too n you will find your best place!
SuzanaAugust 14,2023 at 12:27PM UTC
Thanks for asking this. I know, it s*cks. I've gone through the same. So much prep and expectation and then anxiety and nerves kick in during the interview.
AnonymousAugust 14,2023 at 1:04PM UTC
Try not to worry. Perfection isn't always necessary. I have recently been interviewing and the ones I thought went perfect I wasn't advanced to the next step. I ended up being offered two jobs. One I showed up to the interview a day late because I put the wrong day in my calendar and the other my internet went down during the zoom call and I asked to convert to a phone interview so go figure. These were both professional positions with one paying well into six figures just for context so don't feel too bad your job is out there.
AnonymousAugust 14,2023 at 8:11PM UTC
Interviews are hard and it requires trial and errors and practice. I had an interview 6 months ago that didn’t go well as I wasn’t prepared for it (they reached out to me when I wasn’t looking for a job). The feedback was disproportion to my interview responses. I am definitely qualified for the job, but the answers to a few questions aren’t what they are looking for. Either way, I got promoted recently in my own company. Everything has its own timing. The best part is that interview opportunities are infinite. You can keep practicing and be better at it. Don’t beat yourself up or live in the past. Focus on the next set of interviews and be prepared for them.
AYANNALYSEAugust 14,2023 at 10:11PM UTC
Don't loose hope go on as many interviews as you possibly can ... at least 3 interviews a week trust me when I tell you that I wanted a position so bad that I shoot myself in the foot when I blew my chances but eventually I got myself a similar position so a word of advice practice your interviews on positions you know you will get.. and then when you are fed up go for positions that you you don't mind getting the job.. and thats when you will get the job when you are out of that desperation bubble!