1. Don’t overthink it
Rejection is embarrassing, and like any embarrassing moment in life, we can tend to let it haunt us. We’ve all relived an interview analyzing every move that could have been the nail in the coffin: “Was it something I said? Something I did? Was it that awkward little talk at first? The salary talk? My contact?” visual?”
If you’ve been going through each and every answer and analyzing every little move you made that could have resulted in your interview failing, STOP. When it comes to the job interview, there’s no use crying over spilled milk!
What’s done is done and it’s no use thinking too much. Instead, take a closer look at the big picture and a few key points so you can get back on your feet and adjust your focus next time.
2. Ask for feedback
One way to avoid “overthinking” is to base your analysis on the interviewer’s actual comments. If you’re not asking for feedback after every interview, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to put those voices in your head to bed and learn from your mistakes. As a courtesy, the interviewer should always provide some kind of honest feedback, but it’s not required (and some people just don’t feel comfortable turning others down). So if he’s denied feedback, there’s not much more he can do (so he doesn’t become a bully because of it). I just know that it doesn’t hurt to ask.
If your interview was arranged through a recruiter, you may be able to ask for and expect more brutally honest feedback, since it’s someone else’s feedback you’re passing on and it’s a bit more comfortable to deliver. I would recommend getting as much feedback as possible as soon as you find out about the rejection so that your application is timely for your interviewer/recruiter.
3. Don’t read between the lines
Like overthinking, reading between the lines can be pointless business when it comes to understanding and learning from your interviewer’s comments. All you have to follow is what you’re told (for better or worse), so try to leave it at that and don’t get too caught up in decoding the message. If they said they found someone more qualified, that’s it. There may be others more qualified, right? At the end of the day, interviewing is not a perfect formula for the interviewer and, sometimes, it is more an intuition than anything else. Therefore, allow the interviewer the freedom to decide based on their knowledge of the position and the company.
4. Don’t ignore positive feedback
Just as you should take constructive feedback at face value, you should also help yourself with the positive feedback you’ve received. You have impressed the interviewer in some way and that is your strength. Make a mental note and start highlighting this in future interviews. If you created a presentation they loved, keep it and find a way to include it in your next interview. If they liked your energy and personality, keep doing it; chances are your next interviewer will like it too. Turn their feedback into a silver lining and trust them to lead next time.
5. Don’t ignore verbal and non-verbal communication
It’s also true that the unsuccessful interview, potentially combined with natural interview nerves, can affect your delivery (both verbal and non-verbal). As a result, this can affect the interviewer’s confidence in your abilities to do the job in question. Since what he says and how he says it can affect your ability to close the interview, spend some time focusing on delivery.
Using your smartphone’s voice memo app, record yourself answering some of the common interview questions out loud. Then play it with a critical ear and listen for “Ums” or a trembling tone (both confidence killers). Try videotaping your interview responses as well, paying close attention to how you’re sitting, any unnecessary movement (touching your hand, touching your face or hair, etc.). 93% of what we say is non-verbal, so know that your presence plays a big role in how you are perceived in the interview room.
6) Regain your confidence
If you feel and look a bit beat up about not closing, you might also want to spend some time rebuilding your confidence. Go to networking events and places where others in the same industry/space are talking about your area of expertise so you can start to get really comfortable talking about the most common topics in your industry’s interview settings. The more natural you feel talking about your interview topic, the more in control you will appear and the more prepared to address the interviewer’s business problems with ease.
7) Work your nerves
Before you start practicing for each interview, take about 5 minutes to take a few deep breaths so you can focus and focus. Pausing to breathe can do wonders in terms of calming your nerves. Do this before you walk into an interview as well.
8) Practice, practice, practice
It’s no secret: practice makes perfect! Every day he should practice his answers (especially to tricky interview questions). You know what’s coming, so it’s time to take off the Band-Aid and take the opportunity to get ahead of the game. If you’re a visual learner, try sketching out your answers on paper so you have a visual reference point in your mind.
9) Know your interviewers
Make sure you take the time to do some research and get a real sense of who your interviewers are before you walk into the room. Remember: They are people like you who may even be nervous about the interview! It’s okay to break the ice and say “sorry, I’m a little nervous” if you feel like it really gets in the way of your interview, as it will bring out more of your human side and help the interviewer empathize, but be quick. to pull themselves together and get back in the game because they want someone who can step in and produce results.
10) Reward your progress
The fact that you did not receive the job offer does not mean that the interview was a total failure. Is it very true that the role might not have been perfect for you (and don’t you deserve the perfect fit)? We’re talking about your career, so you’d be better off getting it right (even if it takes a few tries) than getting the wrong offer. If you can see each interview as a learning process as a BIG win versus a failed attempt, then you’ll be more likely to keep your spirits up and feel secure knowing that something better lies ahead.
