Everyone has done it – you think you’re prepared, you think you want the job, you think you know what questions they’ll ask – and then something happens that completely derails your job interview and leaves you thinking, “Wow, I bombed that one.” But all is not lost. In fact, that job may not even be lots. There are numerous things you can do immediately to bounce back from that terrible interview.
Recently, Forbes published a quick slideshow of “7 Things You Can Do After a Really Bad Job Interview.” Their advice is incredibly sound. From forgiving yourself for the slip up to explaining yourself in a thank you letter, they recommend following up and moving on quickly. We agree. A couple of quick tidbits to add:
- Ditch the thank you note in lieu of the influence letter. Check out this post from us in May about the difference between the two and when to use each kind. When you feel that “I’ve bombed” feeling, an influence letter is key!
- Explain real distractions. Forbes recommends this step as well, but we’re reiterating it here. If there is something real going on in your life that made your interview terrible, say so. I have an acquaintance who, years ago, completed the final step of an interview process (a phone interview with the CEO) from a hospital room while her father was dying. She never said so, and they never asked, but she bombed the interview and didn’t get the job. Had she better explained her situation, she might have seen different results.
- Let it go. If you bombed the interview, whether because of nerves, distractions, or just plain weirdness with the interviewer, know that it might not be meant to be. When you find the job that’s right for you, the interview will reflect that feeling as well.
So let yourself off the hook. Everyone has a bad day, and you’ll find the right job with a rocking interview soon enough!
About the Author: Marcy Twete
Marcy Twete is the Founder and CEO of Career Girl Network and the author of the book “You Know Everybody! A Career Girl’s Guide to Building a Network That Works.” At Career Girl Network, Marcy provides women with information, resources, and networking to empower them in their careers and to advance the work of women in business as a whole. Prior to launching Career Girl Network, Marcy worked in numerous nonprofit organizations and as a consultant in the field of nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and community relations. Marcy is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and a native of rural North Dakota. She is the Vice Chair of the Chicago Board of Directors for Step Up Women’s Network in Chicago and a member of the Advisory Board for Girls on the Run Twin Cities, and is dedicated to advancing the work of organizations that move the needle for women and girls worldwide.
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