Oops! Your big job interview didn’t go as planned. How do you know if your performance was just mediocre, or if you really bombed the interview, and what should you do if it’s the latter?
Let’s find out. Keep reading to learn:
- Common signs you bombed a job interview
- What to do after a bad interview
- How to recover and move forward
How Do You Know If You Bombed A Job Interview?
To begin, what are the signs that you bombed your interview?
One clue that your interview may have gone poorly is when the recruiter or hiring manager expresses concerns about your background, knowledge, or skills. It’s expected that a prospective employer will probe into these areas and ask detailed questions during the initial interviews, but take note if they share doubts regarding your qualifications, especially if the concerns align with the requirements listed in the job posting, as it may be a sign you’re not the type of candidate they had in mind for the role.
The length of your interview can also be a clue as to how well you performed. It can be a good sign if your interview goes over the allotted time, as long as the delay isn’t caused by your long-windedness. On the other hand, don’t keep your hopes up if your interview was rushed or even cut short, since it can mean they already know they’re not interested in moving you to the next step in the hiring process.
Another clue that you might not be called back for another interview is when the recruiter or hiring manager doesn’t share the next steps in the hiring process. While some novice recruiters and managers may inadvertently skip over this if they run out of time, if they’re truly interested in you as a candidate, they’ll clearly communicate the next steps at some point.
Finally, listen to your gut, since you can often tell when there’s a disconnection or lack of interest from an employer. You’ll probably sense intuitively when an interview didn’t go well.
Note: Don’t count yourself out until you receive a rejection letter, since some interviewers can be difficult to read, particularly when you’re meeting via Zoom.
Common Signs You Bombed A Job Interview
To summarize, here are a few signs you may have bombed your interview:
- The interviewer expressed concerns regarding your qualifications.
- Your interview was rushed or cut short.
- You didn’t hear about the next steps in the hiring process.
- Your interviewer was disconnected or seemed to lack interest.
4 Steps To Take When You Bomb A Job Interview
Now, what should you do if you think, or know, that your interview was a flop? Are there any ways to recover from a bad interview? Here’s what you might consider:
1. Give yourself grace.
For starters, try not to be too hard on yourself. Unless you’re a pundit or press secretary, it’s unlikely that you answer tough questions on the spot for a living, so give yourself grace if your interview performance was less than perfect.
Additionally, we can be our harshest critics, and you may be being too hard on yourself. Even if your interview was truly terrible, nearly everyone has flopped at least once, and employers know this when considering candidates’ interview skills.
2. Take time to process.
You might also consider setting a limit on how much time you’ll dedicate to processing your bad performance and practicing self-care. Try the following:
- Setting a timer for X minutes or hours to allow yourself to wallow in your feelings.
- Giving yourself the night or weekend off from your job search.
- Rewarding yourself for making it to the interview process (application-to-interview rates are usually in the low single digits).
3. Send a strategic follow-up email.
Once you’ve had some time to cool off, you’ll want to send an intentionally crafted follow-up email to the interviewer. Although I’m a proponent of sending thank you emails after any interview, they can be particularly effective after a less-than-stellar one, since they provide you an opportunity to repair any damage.
Importantly, you don’t want to harp on the past and focus your follow-up email on your interview performance. Instead, you can briefly highlight any items you forgot to mention or wanted to rephrase, as well as emphasize your interview talking points.
4. Focus on what’s in your control.
Lastly, you want to focus your attention on the future and those activities that are within your control. Examples of actions you can focus on include:
- Mastering your response to, “Tell me about yourself.”
- Practicing your responses to common interview questions like “What are your greatest strengths?” and “What is your biggest weakness?
- Learning how to effectively and persuasively answer behavioral interview questions.
- Hiring an interview coach to take your preparation and answers to the next level.
Final Thoughts
If you find yourself repeatedly bombing job interviews, or it’s been a while since you last looked for a job, consider hiring a coach to support you with the transition. Remember: You only get one first impression. You’ve got this!
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FAQs
If you're lucky, they may just look past whatever snafu happened during the interview—big or small—and give you the job anyway. Of course, this is mainly likely to happen despite a less-than-ideal interview, you have relevant experience and the desired qualifications for the job.
Can I still get the job if I bombed the interview? ›
If you're lucky, they may just look past whatever snafu happened during the interview—big or small—and give you the job anyway. Of course, this is mainly likely to happen despite a less-than-ideal interview, you have relevant experience and the desired qualifications for the job.
Is it good if interviewer talks about next steps? ›
For example, if the hiring manager spends time clarifying what the “next steps” actually are, that's a good sign that you're being considered for the role. If the interviewer says it with a shrug, or avoids eye contact while saying it, this can be a sign that you didn't make the cut.
How to answer what are the next steps in the interview process? ›
Depending on where you are in their typical chronology for hiring, the next step could be interviewing other candidates, another interview for you, checking your references, having you take a test (or multiple tests), or waiting for them to meet and discuss what happens next.
What to say when you bomb an interview? ›
Mention the specific part of the interview that you struggled with and share what you wish you had gotten across. For example, you could acknowledge that you had a hard time selecting a story to discuss about working with a difficult co-worker, but that as soon as you left the office, it came to you.
Had an interview but don't want the job.? ›
She says it's a good move if you're stopping mid-interview to say something like: “I really appreciate you taking the time to interview me today. And I've thoroughly enjoyed everybody that I've met. But after going through the series of interviews, I don't feel like this is a good fit for either of us.
How to recover from a bombed interview? ›
How to recover a bombed phone interview
- Thank the interviewer. After your interview, you can potentially recover your impression on your interviewer by leaving a well-written follow-up note. ...
- Write honestly. ...
- Explain your strengths within your weaknesses. ...
- Request an additional interview. ...
- Keep the note concise.
Lack of connection with the interviewer
Here are some signs of a lack of rapport that you may look for in the interviewer's manner: lack of enthusiasm. distraction or disinterest. brief responses to your questions.
Will HR contact you for next steps? ›
It means that no decision has been made yet about whether you will continue in the hiring process or not. If later on you will be rejected, HR (in newer companies, referred to as the Recruiting team or the People Ops team) will let you know that.
Does next step mean I got the job? ›
When a recruiter discusses “next steps,” it often signals that they are considering your candidacy for the position and are looking to move forward in the hiring process. However, it's essential to remember that each hiring process is unique and that “next steps” may differ from one situation to another.
So how can you tell if the interview was a success?
- You were in the interview for longer than expected. ...
- The interview felt conversational. ...
- You are told what you would be doing in this role. ...
- The interviewer seemed engaged. ...
- You feel sold on the company and the role. ...
- Your questions are answered in full.
If, towards the end of your interview, the hiring manager or recruiter asks questions like, "How soon can you start?" or "Will you need to give notice at your current job?" or "Do you have any other interviews coming up?" you are likely a top contender.
How do you know if a hiring manager wants you? ›
5 Secret Signs That You're The Job Candidate They Really Want To...
- They are super responsive when following up with you. ...
- They introduce you to other team members and give you unplanned tours. ...
- They ask if you're interviewing with anyone else. ...
- They want to know your available start date.
Yes, if it's a big enough mistake that it needs to be addressed, get to it—don't try to sweep it under the rug. But also rest assured that one bad answer, one misspoken word won't put you out of the running.
How do I know I bombed an interview? ›
On the other hand, one of the most obvious signs that you bombed the interview is getting negative feedback from the interviewer. This could be verbal, such as criticism, doubts, or objections, or non-verbal, such as frowning, shaking their head, or crossing their arms.
How do you end a bad interview early? ›
There's no right moment to exit an interview early, but you can work a dismissal into the process. Once you know the job isn't for you, wait for the next question, pause, and politely explain how you don't feel the job is the right fit for you, and you'd like to not take any more of their time by continuing.
Can you mess up an interview and still get the job? ›
No matter how thoroughly you prepare, mistakes can still happen during the job application and interview process. But, they don't always mean game over—yes, even imperfect people get jobs. If you've made one of these common blunders, a few key steps can help you make the best of a bad situation. What is this?
What happens if I mess up an interview? ›
Some interviewers will appreciate the extra elaboration on a question you think you botched, but to others, it will simply draw more attention to your mistake. So, it's important to pinpoint if the errors from your interview are important enough to bring up again—and if bringing them up is going to help you.
How do you tell if you bombed a job interview? ›
13 signs an interview went badly
- A much shorter interview time. ...
- No introduction to other employees. ...
- Lack of details regarding the role. ...
- Focus on the negative aspects of the position. ...
- Disengaged body language. ...
- Lack of connection with the interviewer. ...
- No discussion of a future with the organisation. ...
- Expression of concerns.
A job is never a sure thing. What that means for job-seekers is that no matter how well your interview seems to go, you should never, ever assume a job is a lock. You could be perfect for the job — someone who leaves interviewers confident that you're the one they want to hire — and it still wouldn't be a sure thing.
