When a job interview starts going badly, you can feel it. But don’t let that sinking feeling in your stomach get the best of you. In most cases, you still have time to turn it around. Here are a few tips.
Take a Deep Breath
Take a moment to calm yourself. Panicking will only cause the interview to go further off the rails. Now is the time to breathe deeply and steady yourself before continuing. If you have a glass of water, take a few small sips in a row.
Rephrase Your Answer
Maybe you botched the answer to a question. That’s okay. It happens to everyone. Tell the interviewer you would like to clarify, and then restate your answer in a more positive way. This time, focus on the overall story you want to convey without getting lost in the details or mired in negativity.
Redirect the Conversation
Sometimes a job interview goes south because the questions you’re being asked don’t give you the opportunity to highlight your strengths. Gently steer the conversation to the things you do well. For example, if you’re asked a question about something you know little about, show off your adaptability and problem-solving skills by discussing how you would find the answer.
Adapt Your Style
Some interviews go badly because of a mismatch between your style and that of your interviewer. In this case, try to adapt your style to theirs. This might mean speaking more slowly, spending extra time on small talk, or adding some humor.
Find the Lesson
Some interviews go badly enough that they are simply unrecoverable. But the time you spent wasn’t a waste. After the interview, take some time to reflect on what happened. There is always a lesson to be learned, and finding it now can help make your next job interview a success.
Remember, job hunting is a journey, and it won’t always be smooth sailing. But your next position is unlikely to be the one you end up retiring from, so there will be more interviews in your future. The more you are open to learning and growing, the easier future job hunts will be.
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