Oops, I wasn't ready?

You did everything right. You researched your job opportunities, presented a professionally written resume, practiced for the interview in front of your mirror or through mock interviews, and dressed for success. The day of the interview is finally here, and you feel confident—things might look promising! However, sometimes your success can hinge on just one interview, and it can be disheartening if the interviewer appears uninterested, unprepared, or distracted. This situation can be unsettling, especially if their questions seem irrelevant, and it only adds to your nervousness. So, how does one overcome such a challenge?

I’ve been through this, and when it happened to me, it caught me off guard. I was unprepared for the interviewer’s lack of engagement, which made me more anxious. After the disappointing interview, I felt terrible about my performance. Initially, I blamed myself, as I usually consider myself someone who interviews well. However, as the days went by, I began to revisit all the interviews I had completed for that role and realized I had performed well in each one until the final interview. I asked myself, "What was different this time?" As a recruiter, I quickly recalled the interview questions and considered the interview style. I understood that the interviewer was unprepared and not invested in the role for which I was interviewing. While it was frustrating, the best way to turn this negative experience into a positive one was to learn from it.

When preparing for an interview, it's essential to consider all aspects, including the interviewer. Just like you, they have good and bad days. Research the interviewer ahead of time; this can help you find shared experiences or talking points. Prepare to share examples that highlight your ability to think outside the box, solve problems, manage difficult situations or personalities, and effectively achieve goals. If the interview takes an unexpected turn, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification on their questions, especially if you’re unsure how the questions relate to the job requirements. If something is unclear, express that respectfully and then pivot to share an experience that directly ties back to the role, demonstrating why you are the right fit.

I view every interview as a business proposal; a successful transaction requires both parties to feel satisfied. If this rings true, it can help you stop being so hard on yourself when you don’t land a job. Yes, it's disappointing—I understand that feeling. However, we should learn from each experience, as every interview prepares us for the next one. It’s important to recognize that not every job, even if it seems like your dream job, is the right fit for you. Therefore, prepare thoroughly and present yourself as a true professional at every interview, but also be keen on learning about your potential employer. This will help you make informed decisions when presented with an offer. Sometimes, not landing that job or choosing to walk away can actually work in your favor. Eileen Gonzalez, CPCC