Should You Bail if the Interview is Going Badly?

You've landed the interview for the job of your dreams, but the day has turned into a nightmare. What do you do when a job interview is going badly? Should you give up and walk out the door?Don't despair. There are ways to turn a bad job interview experience into a good growth opportunity.

An old cliché states that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Most job interview advice focuses on how to prepare yourself for an interview and how to make that first impression. However, when an interview begins to go awry, you still have several chances to make a good impression and get the job.

Jacquelyn Smith, writing in Business Insider, explains that if you stay calm, you may be able to salvage a bad job interview. Smith suggests keeping a positive outlook. If you view the interview as a challenge rather than a disaster, you can demonstrate how you stay calm under pressure and meet difficult circumstances in a positive way.

If you don't understand one of the interview questions, ask for more information before you answer. Very few firms employ "professional interviewers." There's a good chance that the person who is asking the questions is just as nervous as you are. The interviewer may have phrased the question incorrectly or asked about something unrelated to the job you're interviewing for. Be gracious and polite, and you'll make a good impression.

In her job interview advice, Smith also reminds job seekers not to berate themselves if an interview is going badly. Remember that you've been chosen for an interview because your resume and cover letter showed that you were a good fit for the job. The interview gives the company a chance to see if your personality is a good fit for the team. If you can handle a bad job interview yet preserve a kind, calm and helpful demeanor, you will still make a good impression.

Once you've left a bad job interview, you still have work to do. Vicky Oliver writes in Bloomberg Businessweek that a good thank-you email may help you salvage an interview gone wrong. Many job seekers don't write thank-you notes, so taking a few moments to thank the interviewers for their time may help you correct an early bad impression. In addition, the thank-you note can give you a chance to correct mistakes you made during the interview.

For example, if you forgot to mention traits or qualifications that make you a good fit for the job, you can list them in the email. If you were distracted during the bad job interview because of a recent family tragedy, let the interviewer know. You can also use the thank-you note to ask for more information on the company and the job.

If you view a bad job interview as a learning experience, you'll still come out ahead. Remember, even if you didn't ace this particular interview, you'll be better prepared for your next one. In a competitive business climate, simply landing an interview proves that you're a great candidate with a lot to offer your future employer.

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