Mom, I failed my interview!
17 December 2013
Read by 2584 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 watching the film of this "failed" interview with you...and to draw reflections that will allow you to consider the future with calm and wisdom.
I'll first 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 duration of the interview was only 40 minutes! I left feeling foolish and absolutely convinced that the interview had been cut short because it had been a failure. What a 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 stretch 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? Oversimplifying, I admit, we could say that succeeding in an interview is to manage 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 if 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
One would have to be superhuman to feel no 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 in a positive way to sharpen one's attention to questions, one's reflexes of precise and accurate answers, one's ability to be in good contact with the recruiter.
Tips: silence the 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 castigated themselves 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, to answer them as best as possible both in substance and form.
Tips: if in doubt, repeat the question to ensure understanding; accompany our answer with a practical example that illustrates our point; go back if you want to add a point or realign your answer. Avoid talking too much or pontificating...and season with humor when it proves relevant!
3. Not knowing what to answer
Following a question addressed to you by a recruiter, have you ever been completely disarmed and said to yourself: "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 as possible without saying anything stupid! Demonstrate your ability to bounce back in unexpected situations.
Tips: ask for a moment of reflection ("Your question is very interesting, I would appreciate a few seconds to give it the reflection it deserves before answering."); admit that you don't have "all" the answer, but try to put forward an element of answer that you are more certain of; if you haven't already, ask for a rephrasing of the question; admit that 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 smile when concluding, a perception of their irritation or lack of interest that leaves us with the impression of not having pleased them.
The goal: to be certain of having done your best; to leave an image of authenticity and good faith. You have control over your actions in an interview, not over the perceptions and analyses of the recruiter.
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 a 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 is an opportunity to take stock of your strengths and weaknesses. Share this assessment with someone you trust and 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 sooner you get back on, the sooner you get to your destination!
Johanne Ménard.
Monster.ca
Posted on December 17, 2013.
I'll first 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 duration of the interview was only 40 minutes! I left feeling foolish and absolutely convinced that the interview had been cut short because it had been a failure. What a 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 stretch 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? Oversimplifying, I admit, we could say that succeeding in an interview is to manage 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 if 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
One would have to be superhuman to feel no 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 in a positive way to sharpen one's attention to questions, one's reflexes of precise and accurate answers, one's ability to be in good contact with the recruiter.
Tips: silence the 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 castigated themselves 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, to answer them as best as possible both in substance and form.
Tips: if in doubt, repeat the question to ensure understanding; accompany our answer with a practical example that illustrates our point; go back if you want to add a point or realign your answer. Avoid talking too much or pontificating...and season with humor when it proves relevant!
3. Not knowing what to answer
Following a question addressed to you by a recruiter, have you ever been completely disarmed and said to yourself: "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 as possible without saying anything stupid! Demonstrate your ability to bounce back in unexpected situations.
Tips: ask for a moment of reflection ("Your question is very interesting, I would appreciate a few seconds to give it the reflection it deserves before answering."); admit that you don't have "all" the answer, but try to put forward an element of answer that you are more certain of; if you haven't already, ask for a rephrasing of the question; admit that 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 smile when concluding, a perception of their irritation or lack of interest that leaves us with the impression of not having pleased them.
The goal: to be certain of having done your best; to leave an image of authenticity and good faith. You have control over your actions in an interview, not over the perceptions and analyses of the recruiter.
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 a 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 is an opportunity to take stock of your strengths and weaknesses. Share this assessment with someone you trust and 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 sooner you get back on, the sooner you get to your destination!
Johanne Ménard.
Monster.ca
Posted on December 17, 2013.
