We’ve all been there. You walk out of an interview, and instead of feeling confident and accomplished, your mind is replaying every awkward pause, every question you stumbled over, and every moment you wish you could do differently. Maybe your nerves got the better of you, or maybe the interviewer threw a curveball question. Here’s how to bounce back and turn the experience into something positive.
1. Take a Deep Breath and Reflect
It’s easy to dwell on what went wrong, but chances are, there were parts that went well too. Did you build a good rapport with the interviewer? Did you confidently answer at least some of the questions? Be honest with yourself, but don’t be overly critical. Reflection is useful, but self-sabotage isn’t.
2. Send a Thoughtful Follow-Up Email
A follow-up email can help reinforce your enthusiasm and professionalism. Thank the interviewer for their time, express your continued interest in the role, and, if relevant, briefly address anything you feel you could have answered better.
3. Learn from the Experience
Ask yourself: what specifically tripped you up? Were there questions you struggled with? Did your nerves get the better of you? Use this as a learning experience to better prepare for next time. If a particular question stumped you, research common answers and practice responding confidently in future interviews.
4. Consider Requesting Feedback
If you feel comfortable, send a polite email thanking them for the opportunity and asking if they have any insights on how you could improve for future interviews. Even if you don’t get a response, you’ve demonstrated professionalism and a willingness to grow.
5. Keep Moving Forward
There will be other opportunities, and with each one, you’ll become more experienced and prepared. If you don’t get this job, it simply means something better suited for you is still out there. Keep applying, keep preparing, and keep improving.
A bad interview isn’t the end of the world - it’s just a stepping stone to your next opportunity. Learn from it, use it to grow, and don’t let it shake your confidence. The right job for you is out there, and with each interview, you’re getting closer to it. So, take a deep breath, shake it off, and get ready for the next one - you’ve got this!
And if you're still on the hunt for the perfect role, check out our vacancies page!
