What to Do After a Bad Job Interview

Sometimes, no matter how much effort you put into preparing for an interview, something goes wrong. Maybe you woke up with a splitting headache or can't take your mind off a pressing personal matter. Whatever it is, circumstances may throw you off your "A" game and result in a poor performance during your interview. 

Even if you feel like you've blown the interview, it may not have been as bad as you thought, and you may even have a chance to salvage the opportunity.

How to Handle a Bad Job Interview

First of all, don't panic. This is just one job interview, and it's not the end of the world. Even if you thought you were interviewing for your dream job, perhaps it wasn't meant to be. It might not have been as perfect an opportunity as you thought, and there will be other chances to interview for other jobs which may be an even better fit.

Here are three strategies you can use to recover from a bad job interview. 

1. Give Yourself Time

A bad interview can leave you feeling frustrated, upset, and beating yourself up. Take some time (whether it's 10 minutes or an hour) to reflect on the experience, but don't dwell on it for too long. It's easy to spiral and become convinced that the interview went even worse than it actually did.

2. Look for Lessons

Once you've spent some time reviewing the interview, ask yourself if there is anything you can learn from your mistakes. Did the interview go badly because you were rushed or late? Were you stressed, or were there other facts that made this interview particularly challenging? Did you spend as much time as possible preparing?

Did you flub an answer to a common interview question? Did you fail to demonstrate your passion for the position? If you can identify the exact reason the interview went poorly, it can help you fix the problem, either with this position or by preparing differently for your next interview. 

3. Request a Second Chance

No one wants to flub an interview, but employers are humans too and understand that people have bad days. If you think you've blown an interview, don't just give up. Although there's no sure-fire fix, it's always a good idea to send a thank-you email after your interview, and it can't hurt to explain in the note why you were off your game. 

For instance, if you were feeling under the weather, you can send a thank-you note saying you were feeling ill, and that it led to a poor performance that didn't demonstrate your qualifications and full interest in the position. Then, ask if there is any way you can meet a second time. Who knows?

How to Ask for a Second Chance

Although not all employers have the time or resources for a "do-over," if you think you flunked an interview, take the time to email the interviewer explaining your circumstances and thanking him or her for the opportunity to interview.

You don't want to overdo your excuses, but make sure you:

Briefly Explain What Went Wrong

For example, "I was feeling under the weather" or "I'm not typically late, but I had an unexpected childcare emergency." Keep your explanation simple and short.

Emphasize Your Interest in the Job

You can also mention the particular skills you'd bring to the position. 

Offer to Meet a Second Time

Or ask if it's an option to arrange a phone interview. 

Reiterate the Option to Contact Your References

Strong references can reassure interviewers that your poor performance was atypical, and attest to your job abilities. 

Sample Email Requesting Another Interview

Here's a sample email that you might send if you find yourself in this situation.

Preparing for the Next Time

Even if you can't salvage an interview that went awry, there are things you can do to help alleviate the stress and prepare properly so you can ace the next interview. Take a deep breath, learn from your mistakes, and move on to the next opportunity.