Interviews are often a stressful situation for candidates. The tension associated with putting yourself on the line to show prospective employers that you can provide great value to them if hired can take the humor out of a situation entirely. The truth is that even with all the proper preparation and hard work on your part, an interview can be a bad experience for any number of reasons. The important thing to remember while you recover is that you want to present yourself as a skilled and capable professional. Here’s how you can take a deep breath and get back on your feet after even the worst of interviews.
Confidence is Everything
When it comes to first impressions, the confidence you show can make all the difference. Coming across as a confident, pleasant and good-humored will put your interviewer at ease and frankly improve your chances of getting them to like you. But your confidence can take a real hit after suffering through a bad interview. Building your confidence up again can take time and effort, but it’s important. Show your confidence through a relaxed yet professional presentation and do what you can to communicate your self-assurance through good posture, strong eye contact, and a friendly attitude. In the meantime, take a deep breath, focus on what you know you bring to the table, and surround yourself with mentors and supporters who can cheer you on.
Focus on Building Rapport
Even after a bad interview, the way you engage with hiring managers directly will make a difference in future conversations. While you don’t want to be making inappropriate jokes in an interview setting, a good laugh shared between you and the hiring manager can create a connection that will help you really engage with the person across the table. Take the time to get a feel for the room, and if you are feeling that the conversation is heading into lighter territory, make an effort to make them smile. The company and hiring manager you are speaking with are as interested in connecting with you as you are with them. Avoid letting yourself put up unnecessary walls and do your best to engage with the interviewer and share your passion for the opportunity. This will help communicate your interest and your desire to join the team.
Make Sure You’re Prepared For Future Conversations
If you made a real mistake in a previous interview, own up to it. Address the elephant in the room directly and apologize if you need to. This will go a long way toward building trust with the potential hiring manager or co-worker you’re talking to. Everyone knows that you’re only human. The ones who admit to their mistakes and take action to learn and grow from missteps are the ones who stand out in a crowd. If nothing else, take this as an opportunity to learn what else you can do to prepare for the next interview you have. Sometimes the best learning you can take out of a bad interview is simply what hasn’t worked for you in the past. Make a note and move on.
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Are you looking to find your next job? Do you need help with your interview preparation? Contact the team at ESGI today to learn more!
