Mom, I failed my interview!
27 September 2012
Read by 2126 persons
That's it! You've just experienced the worst-case scenario in your job search. You are CERTAIN that you failed the interview that was supposed to lead you to the coveted position. A geyser of feelings rises within you: it's a catastrophe, a disaster, oh... and what to say, shame! Let me offer you the possibility of reviewing the film of this "failed" interview with you... and draw reflections that will allow you to consider what follows with calm and wisdom.
First of all, I'll tell you a little personal anecdote that taught me a lot about this subject. Several years ago, I was called for an interview by two managers. The exchange had been fluid, the communication warm... but the interview lasted only 40 minutes! I left feeling foolish and absolutely convinced that the interview had been cut short because it had been a failure. Imagine my surprise when they contacted me to offer me the position in question. I dared to share my astonishment with the manager, telling her that my conclusion had been quite different. And the managers said to me: "But we were convinced we had found the right person after only a few minutes... why prolong the conversation unnecessarily?" The lesson learned: be careful with conclusions of "failure"... they can be misleading!
Succeed at all costs?
Does the feeling of not having succeeded in an interview come from our thirst to perform in everything and everywhere? Succeeding in an interview; what exactly is that? To oversimplify, I admit, we could say that succeeding in an interview is to present oneself to an employer in the most authentic way possible, to make oneself known with naturalness and truth so that, on the one hand, the employer can judge whether he is in the presence of a candidate who corresponds to the profile of the position to be filled and that, on the other hand, the candidate can validate his real interest in occupying such a position within the company in question.
What gives us the impression of having failed our interview?
1. Being visibly nervous
It would take superhuman abilities to not feel any emotion or stress in an interview. Among other things, what often differentiates candidates is their ability to manage their stress.
The goal: to use nervous tension positively in order to sharpen one's attention to questions, one's reflexes of precise and accurate responses, and one's ability to be in good contact with the recruiter.
Tips: silence the little inner voice called "panic." If necessary, ask for a question to be repeated or rephrased; ask for a glass of water to avoid having a dry throat; breathe well and control your hand gestures.
2. Not having the right answer
Who hasn't beaten themselves up after an interview saying: "I should have answered this" or "...yet it's something I knew." What differentiates candidates is not their ability to recite all the right answers, but the happy combination of answers well anchored to the question, good communication (eye contact, positive attitude), and a presence that is both energetic and calm.
The goal: to understand the questions well and to answer them as best as possible, both in substance and in form.
Tips: if in doubt, repeat the question to ensure you understand it; accompany your answer with a practical example that illustrates your point; go back if you want to add a point or realign your answer. Avoid talking too much or pontificating... and add humor when appropriate!
3. Not knowing what to answer
Following a question addressed to you by a recruiter, have you ever been completely disarmed and said: "I didn't see that one coming!!!"? And there you are, instinctively, mumbling an answer hoping that the recruiter will quickly move on to the next question!!!
The goal: to answer the question as best you can without saying anything stupid! Demonstrate your ability to bounce back in unforeseen situations.
Tips: ask for a moment of reflection ("Your question is very interesting, I would appreciate a few seconds to give it the thought it deserves before answering it."); admit that you don't have "all" the answer, but try to offer an element of the answer you're more certain of; if you haven't already, ask for a rephrasing of the question; admit you don't know the answer and justify why (e.g., lack of experience, different field, etc.). Keep a simple and humble tone.
4. Not seeming to please them
Sometimes, it's the recruiter's impassive look at the end of the interview, their lack of a smile when concluding, a perception of their irritation or lack of interest that leaves us with the impression that we didn't please them.
The goal: to have the certainty of having done your best; leave an image of authenticity and good faith. You have control over your actions in the interview, not over the recruiter's perceptions and analyses.
Tips: make a list of what you did well in the interview: there's always something good. Contemplate the list, savor your good shots. Identify one point to improve and make it a goal for the next interview. Above all, muzzle the little voice of self-flagellation!
Having the impression of "failing" your interview represents an opportunity to take stock of your strengths and weaknesses. Share this assessment with someone you trust who can help you prepare for the next interview. And above all, don't delay... "failing" your interview is like falling off your bike. The faster you get back on, the faster you get to your destination!
Johanne Ménard.
Monster.ca
Posted on September 27, 2012.
First of all, I'll tell you a little personal anecdote that taught me a lot about this subject. Several years ago, I was called for an interview by two managers. The exchange had been fluid, the communication warm... but the interview lasted only 40 minutes! I left feeling foolish and absolutely convinced that the interview had been cut short because it had been a failure. Imagine my surprise when they contacted me to offer me the position in question. I dared to share my astonishment with the manager, telling her that my conclusion had been quite different. And the managers said to me: "But we were convinced we had found the right person after only a few minutes... why prolong the conversation unnecessarily?" The lesson learned: be careful with conclusions of "failure"... they can be misleading!
Succeed at all costs?
Does the feeling of not having succeeded in an interview come from our thirst to perform in everything and everywhere? Succeeding in an interview; what exactly is that? To oversimplify, I admit, we could say that succeeding in an interview is to present oneself to an employer in the most authentic way possible, to make oneself known with naturalness and truth so that, on the one hand, the employer can judge whether he is in the presence of a candidate who corresponds to the profile of the position to be filled and that, on the other hand, the candidate can validate his real interest in occupying such a position within the company in question.
What gives us the impression of having failed our interview?
1. Being visibly nervous
It would take superhuman abilities to not feel any emotion or stress in an interview. Among other things, what often differentiates candidates is their ability to manage their stress.
The goal: to use nervous tension positively in order to sharpen one's attention to questions, one's reflexes of precise and accurate responses, and one's ability to be in good contact with the recruiter.
Tips: silence the little inner voice called "panic." If necessary, ask for a question to be repeated or rephrased; ask for a glass of water to avoid having a dry throat; breathe well and control your hand gestures.
2. Not having the right answer
Who hasn't beaten themselves up after an interview saying: "I should have answered this" or "...yet it's something I knew." What differentiates candidates is not their ability to recite all the right answers, but the happy combination of answers well anchored to the question, good communication (eye contact, positive attitude), and a presence that is both energetic and calm.
The goal: to understand the questions well and to answer them as best as possible, both in substance and in form.
Tips: if in doubt, repeat the question to ensure you understand it; accompany your answer with a practical example that illustrates your point; go back if you want to add a point or realign your answer. Avoid talking too much or pontificating... and add humor when appropriate!
3. Not knowing what to answer
Following a question addressed to you by a recruiter, have you ever been completely disarmed and said: "I didn't see that one coming!!!"? And there you are, instinctively, mumbling an answer hoping that the recruiter will quickly move on to the next question!!!
The goal: to answer the question as best you can without saying anything stupid! Demonstrate your ability to bounce back in unforeseen situations.
Tips: ask for a moment of reflection ("Your question is very interesting, I would appreciate a few seconds to give it the thought it deserves before answering it."); admit that you don't have "all" the answer, but try to offer an element of the answer you're more certain of; if you haven't already, ask for a rephrasing of the question; admit you don't know the answer and justify why (e.g., lack of experience, different field, etc.). Keep a simple and humble tone.
4. Not seeming to please them
Sometimes, it's the recruiter's impassive look at the end of the interview, their lack of a smile when concluding, a perception of their irritation or lack of interest that leaves us with the impression that we didn't please them.
The goal: to have the certainty of having done your best; leave an image of authenticity and good faith. You have control over your actions in the interview, not over the recruiter's perceptions and analyses.
Tips: make a list of what you did well in the interview: there's always something good. Contemplate the list, savor your good shots. Identify one point to improve and make it a goal for the next interview. Above all, muzzle the little voice of self-flagellation!
Having the impression of "failing" your interview represents an opportunity to take stock of your strengths and weaknesses. Share this assessment with someone you trust who can help you prepare for the next interview. And above all, don't delay... "failing" your interview is like falling off your bike. The faster you get back on, the faster you get to your destination!
Johanne Ménard.
Monster.ca
Posted on September 27, 2012.
