What to Do If Your Interview Went Poorly

Making a favorable impression during an interview increases the odds of advancing in the hiring process. However, you might have a bad interview because you arrived late, wore inappropriate attire, were unprepared for the discussion, or expressed little enthusiasm for the job.

Fortunately, you can take steps to improve the situation if your interview went poorly. These methods can help.

Consider Your Interview Performance

Think about what went well during your interview, what could have been better, and specific steps for improvement. For instance, you might have been nervous and not answered all questions to the best of your ability.

Email an Interview Thank-You Note

Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. Thank each interviewer for taking the time to meet with you.

Highlight three things that went well. Also, explain the issue you experienced during the discussion, such as why you did not answer the questions to your satisfaction.

Help the interviewer better understand your situation. Also, ask for another opportunity to meet in person or over the phone.

Clarify why you are interested in the role and your qualifications. Let the interviewer know you look forward to hearing back soon.

Learn from Your Interview Experience

Use your interview mistakes as learning opportunities. Focus on what you excel at and what you can improve in. Then, engage in mock interviews to practice making better choices.

Request Constructive Feedback on Your Interview

If you do not receive a job offer, ask the interviewer for advice to improve your performance. The interviewer might suggest engaging in more mock interviews or improving on specific skills. Then, you can implement the feedback to do better going forward.

Continue Your Job Search

Keep applying for jobs that fit your goals, skills, and experience. Maintaining your focus helps keep your mind on your forward progression.

Implement what you learned from the interview that went poorly. Use your interview practice and momentum to improve your performance.

Partner with a Staffing Agency

Work with a local staffing agency that specializes in your industry. You can be matched with relevant employers and roles, gain interview coaching, and access other resources to support your job search. These factors can help secure employment in less time than searching for a job on your own.

Work with HireCall

Include HireCall in your job search for greater interview success and potential job offers. Visit our job board to apply for a role today.