Interview Insights: When It Gets Weird
Interviews are nerve-wracking for us all. It’s hard to know where you stand sometimes, and whether or not you made a good impression.
However, sometimes it’s clear that you’re not making a good impression. You might have said the wrong thing, been thrown off guard, or just aren’t connecting with the interviewer. Seeing an interview go south right before your eyes is stressful, but it doesn’t always have to be the final outcome.
Sequioa Taylor has some tips on how to handle a few (of many) sticky interview situations in her article here. We’ve highlighted a few of our favorites below.
- The low-energy hiring manager: You’re in the interview giving it your all, but your interviewer seems disengaged and even bored. This could be for a variety of different reasons, so don’t panic and don’t assume it’s about you. Whether it is or isn’t, don’t match the energy level of the manager. Maintain high energy and engagement, and be sure to remain friendly and courteous.
- The botched answer: You get thrown a curve ball question, and your answer is less than great. The best thing to do for this is to just move on. We all give sub par answers at one time or another, and if you ruminate on it you’re more likely to slip up on more questions.
- The ringing phone: I don’t need to tell you that your phone should *never* be on during an interview. If it is by mistake and it goes off, all you can do is apologize and quickly shut it off. Don’t harp on it too much, but be sure that your apology is sincere.
- The “so why did you leave your last job” question: Any hiring manager is going to ask you this, so make sure you’re prepared for it. DON’T bad mouth your last position, especially not your last boss, no matter how hard the situation was. If they prod more into why it was a bad situation, try to be as discrete as possible and talk about the positive learning experience you had a result.
Image retrieved from Pixabay under the public domain.
Recent Posts
Ways to Keep Your Cool at Work, No Matter What
As we’re deep in the grasp of hot summer weather here in Boston, it’s even more important to keep your inner landscape cool, calm, and collected. It’s easier to get needlessly worked up when uncomfortable temperatures come into play! But you can beat the summer heat,...
Monday Mood Booster: Chill
Welcome back! We hope you had a wonderful weekend--and we hope that you were able to stay cool amidst this summer heat! This week we’ll be focusing on ways to “chill out” no matter what workplace obstacle comes your way. The weather outside may be hot, but you still...
How to Develop Your Personal Professional Drive
Being professionally driven doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. Nor should it! Everyone out there has their own unique set of strengths. Don’t feel like you have to get locked into one narrow definition of success. By allowing yourself to lean into what...
Wednesday Wellness: Drive
We’re at the week’s midpoint. And you know what that means--you need to keep your professional momentum going! As you move forward, think about what it is that you’re striving towards. How can you translate your personal strengths into career goals? We know that no...
Monday Mood Booster: Drive
Welcome back! We hope you had a fabulous weekend. This week, we’ll be discussing drive--and not the kind of thing you do with your car! Instead, we’ll be looking at ways to harness the positive energy you achieve through your moments of calm, and how you can put that...
Feel Good Friday: Readjust
Happy Friday! Your transition back into the weekend is in sight. This is an adjustment, too. Just as you’re able to adjust with ease to this change, you can reframe your thinking so that coming back to work after time off isn’t a hurdle--rather, it’s a part of life...
Re-Find Your Workplace Rhythms
As much joy as a holiday can bring, there’s no way to avoid the fact that a day off can really throw off your workplace rhythms. So if this week following the Fourth has been a bumpy road, know that you’re not alone. Today’s tips focus on ways to cultivate positivity...
Wednesday Wellness: Readjust
Happy Hump Day! You’ve made it to this week’s midpoint. Though adjusting to coming back after your holiday break may not have been easy, we’re here to help make your transition as smooth as possible. Maintain the sense of persistence that has gotten you this far, and...
Get Reacclimated to Your Workplace
We hope you had tons of fun this past long weekend, and that your joy has allowed you to recharge before coming back to work on Monday. But we know that it can also be tough to transition back to work after having time off. So today we’re focusing on concrete ways to...
Monday Mood Booster: Readjust
Welcome back! Today you may be feeling like you can use a bit of readjustment. With the Fourth of July just past and Labor Day a couple months away, coming back to work this week might feel like a drag. But don’t panic! Just as you’ve successfully returned to work...
Thursday Thoughts: Celebrate
As we close out this work week on a Thursday, we’re taking some time to think about all the many ways and reasons to celebrate. All accomplishments are worth acknowledging, no matter how small they feel! And no one’s contribution in your life is too small. Keep in...
Celebrate Your Workplace Wins
Today we’re looking at ways to celebrate your workplace wins in a way that balances out your needs and those of your colleagues. Your workplace community is an integral part of any professional success, as your co-workers have had an impact on each move you make at...
Monday Mood Booster: Celebrate
Welcome back! We hope you had a wonderful weekend. Amidst all of your hard work, it’s essential to stop and take a moment to celebrate how far you’ve already come. While productivity is key, you also need to find time for joy. Let right now be that time! Check out the...
Feel Good Friday: Cool
Happy Friday! As the work week winds down, infuse yourself with calm. Finding your inner cool is a great way to beat the summer heat. You have the strength to overcome every external obstacle by choosing to be both positive and calm. Make sure you’re taking deep...