Even after the most grueling of preparations, sometimes during an interview, you realize that things aren't going well. The interviewer asks a question and you completely blank out, or you feel like they aren't asking you the right questions in order for you to tell them why you are the right fit for the job. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, the interviewer isn't very experienced, or is someone who has been asked to sit in for the hiring manager who had other obligations that day. You can't possibly know what the situation is, but there are ways to turn a bad interview around.
Here are some ways to turn a bad interview into a much better one:
- Redirect the conversation- If it feels like the conversation is focusing too much on personal chit chat or on hobbies, don't be afraid to redirect the conversation to the job opening. You can always say something like “Before we run out of time, I want to let you know that I am very interested in this position and I think that I am a good fit for your company. If I understood the advertisement correctly, you are looking for someone who is motivated and experienced in this field...” Don't be afraid to take control of the interview if it seems that the interviewer isn't getting to the point of determining your fit for the company. Be sure to remain polite and redirect at a conversational pause.
- Ask what the most important requirement for the job is- Sometimes the interviewer doesn't give you real information about the position or what skills they are looking for. It is not considered rude to ask them what the most important requirement for the job is. Depending on their answer, this can be a great time to tell them how you can fill that requirement easily.
- Ask a lot of questions- If it doesn't seem like they are giving you many details about the job, ask them. Questions about what are the typical duties of this job and what skills are needed are good ways to turn the conversation around to why you are the best candidate for the job.
- Ask the interviewer about themselves- If it seems like you aren't able to make a personal connection, try asking the interviewer how long they have been working for the company and if they like it. Ask them where they started their career with the company and what advice they would give to a new employee. By asking questions about their career and listening closely to the answers, you can make a personal connection while finding out more about the company. People as a rule like to talk about themselves. Showing interest in the interviewer will make them remember you.
- Tell them you want the job- At the end of the interview, even if it seems to be going poorly, ask them what the next steps in the hiring process are. Be sure to tell them that you are very interested in the position and want to continue in the application process.
When an interview seems to have gone off the rails, sometimes you can turn it around, sometimes you can't. When it doesn't work, just chalk it up to experience and move on. There is no benefit to beating yourself up if even if you completely blew the interview. Take some time to think about your mistakes and how you can avoid them next time and just move on to the next opportunity.
Have you ever blown an interview? Let me know in the comments.
Are you looking for a new job in Logistics? Take a look at LogisticsJobSite.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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