If you recently had a rough interview, you’re not alone. Everyone has a bad day now and then. It can feel devastating, but there are proactive steps you can take to keep moving forward. Here are some ways to recover.
What Can You Do to Recover from a Bad Interview?
Practice Self-Care
Having a rough interview will sting a bit, so be kind to yourself. Take some time away from your job search to hang out with friends and family, see a movie, or simply relax with a cup of tea. Allow yourself to feel your emotions and process through them before moving on.
Reflect
Once the raw emotions have passed, try gently reflecting on what happened. We’re all our own worst critics, so try not to be too harsh on yourself. Instead, zoom out and take an objective look at the sequence of events. If you have trouble doing this on your own, try talking it out with a supportive loved one.
Find the Lesson
There is always a lesson to be learned in any situation. Once you’ve reflected on your rough interview, try to figure out what you can do differently next time. It might be as simple as leaving earlier so that you don’t arrive stressed out from traffic. Or it could be as complex as needing to re-think how you answer behavior-based questions.
Let It Go
Everything happens for a reason. Maybe you weren’t meant to get that job because something much better is right around the corner. Or perhaps that particular company is actually in financial trouble, and being hired would have meant being laid off in six months. Don’t give in to wild speculation, but do try to adopt the perspective that it simply wasn’t meant to be. Once you’ve learned what you can, allow yourself to let go of the situation.
Keep Moving Forward
Take a day or two off from job hunting if you need to, but then get right back at it. The sooner you resume your job search, the easier it will be to bounce back. Before you know it, your rough interview will simply be a distant memory.
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If you’re ready to jumpstart your career, Pirate Staffing can help. Take a look at our open opportunities or simply submit your resume today!
