How to Save a Bad Interview

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, regardless of your experience level.  The pressure to make a good first impression and think on your feet can make it challenging to stay composed. However, with in-the-moment adjustments, you can salvage an interview that’s heading south. Follow our tips and tricks below for how to repair a bad interview in the moment, as well as how to prepare pre-interview to prevent mistakes. 

Before the Interview

Tip 1: Research the company and position ahead of time.

Spend some time before the interview perusing the company website and other sources of information. Also, ensure that you have familiarized yourself with the position you are interviewing for to understand the expectations of the role. This is great practice to avoid the mistake of asking questions that could have been answered independently. Prior research can also be a great supplement to your interview responses, allowing you to fully connect your personal experience and qualities to the needs of the position and the company. As a bonus, it will be apparent that you are engaged and enthusiastic about the opportunity to join the company. 

Tip 2: Practice interview questions, especially the most often asked ones.

Most questions asked by an interviewer can be anticipated ahead of time. Prepare by researching potential topics they may bring up and then practice your responses individually or with a partner/group that can provide feedback. Practicing ahead of time can ensure you feel prepared when answering questions, relieving anxiety and eliciting more coherent answers. 

During the Interview

Tip 1: Pause before responding to questions and remain poised.

Allow yourself to take a breath before answering a question if you begin to feel flustered. When you take a second to compose yourself, you can make your answers more thoughtful and focused for the question. Keeping your responses on track is important for communicating clearly with the interviewer. Don’t panic or let nerves overwhelm you as it is much easier to save a bad interview when you maintain a level head. 

Tip 2: If you are going off topic, admit that you need a minute to gather your thoughts.

When experiencing interview jitters, your responses might stray from answering the original question. Take a minute to refocus your answer while also displaying a positive demeanor. Make a note to ensure your body language is professional and engaged. Maintaining eye contact, practicing active listening, and sitting with strong posture are a few nonverbal cues you should use to demonstrate engagement in the interview. Using a positive tone of voice can also show enthusiasm about the company and the position, and displaying positive energy can help recover an interview at any point. 

Tip 3: Don’t get flustered by one poor answer. Take time to center your next answers around the role and the company.

While interviewers want to get to know you, your responses should relate to what you can uniquely bring to the company. Interview questions, such as “Why do you want to work here?” should be personal but connected to the company and specific position. Doing so will demonstrate pre-interview preparation and an interest in what the job offers. It also allows you to demonstrate why you are a stand-out candidate that will bring unparalleled skills to the position. 

Tip 4: Conclude the interview with relevant, thoughtful questions.

At the conclusion of the conversation, you will have the opportunity to ask the interviewer questions. Asking questions is a great opportunity to solidify your engagement in the interview and your enthusiasm for the position. However, it is best to avoid questions that can be answered through independent research, such as the company’s services. The interviewer may think you are not well versed in the company or position, which can indicate a lack of interest. Instead, focus on asking questions that can best be answered by someone actively in the company. 

Tip 5: Express your gratitude.

It also is important to acknowledge the time that the interviewer has spent reviewing your application as well as conducting the interview. Enthusiastically thanking them for their time shows appreciation and respect. 

Conclusion

While you can’t always avoid an awkward moment or redo a less-than-ideal answer, you can take actions to prepare prior to an interview to reduce the chances of these moments happening. After all, job interviews can be intimidating, but with the right strategies, you can turn a bad interview into a triumph. Interviews are learning experiences, and mistakes offer the chance to improve as a candidate. Don’t be afraid to take a moment to clear your head to present the best version of yourself. With these tips at your disposal, you should be equipped to have a stress-free interview and adjust to a challenge. 

To learn more about mastering the interview process as a tech candidate, reach out to the experts at Bull City Talent Group.  

Contributions from Sam Weitzel