Uh-oh! Just when you thought you were about to hit a home run, the interviewer throws a curve ball. Instead of knocking the ball out of the park, you miss it completely. The question has you frazzled. You pause for 5 seconds but it feels like eternity. And as you blurt out a less than stellar response, you can tell that he is not impressed. As he begins to ask the next question, you begin to obsess over the mistake you have made.
If this (or a similar) scenario has ever happened to you, you are not alone. Sometimes we make mistakes during job interviews. The good news is that it is not the end of the world, and it does not have to be the end of the interview (in most cases)! There are several steps that we can take to ensure interview success, even in the face of an error. Check out my Your Career Matters Video. In it, I respond to a question by giving 3 tips that you can begin using immediately:
Prepare! Prepare! Prepare!
- Prepare for Challenges. Think about your last interview. Where did the problem occur? What was the mistake that you made? What would you have said or done differently? Prepare a new response.
- Self-Assess: Take an honest look at your resume. Prepare for any possible de-railers concerning your qualifications. Are there any areas that may raise red flags for employers? Gaps in employment? A decrease in responsibility? A short stint at a company? Determine what those de-railers may be. Then, craft and practice an effective, meaningful can-do response.
Assess the mistake. If you make a mistake, evaluate it. Was it an enormous, noticeable error? Was it something minor that only you caught?
Stay in Control. Mistakes happen. We’re human. Breathe and get over it! You can go back and rephrase the answer. Just stay in control. You want to appear confident and sure of yourself.
And remember: Concise is the key. When recovering from a mistake, if you have to backtrack, make your recovery concise. Don’t spend a lot of time on the recovery. Recover and move on! Get right to the point, and keep it positive.
About Kimberly A. Ferguson
Kimberly A. Ferguson is a professional development trainer, speaker, coach, and the author of "Marketing You: Be STRATEGIC". For more information about Kimberly,
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