Can You Save a Bad Interview?

My experience with a candidate having a bad interview is it’s easier to overcome a bad second or third interview than it is a first interview. In some cases, it will be impossible to salvage a bad first interview. Mainly because it’s the first impression the company has of you, and you know how important first impressions are, right?

The reason why bombing the second or third interview is easier to overcome is the fact that the company already knows you and they liked you enough to move you through the interviewing process. You already passed the first impression test, so the company will be more receptive to the reasons for your poor performance.

In a second or third interview you might be interviewing with someone else within the company. If this is the case, and you bombed a second or third interview with someone else, you will have a supporter in your corner. Who is this? The first person you interviewed with! They liked you, right? So this will be the person to contact to turn this bad interview around. 

The first person you interviewed with can become an ally in turning this bad interview around. Contact this person and explain the situation and the reasons for your bad performance in the second or third interview. Don’t make excuses just explain the reasons why it didn’t go well with the other person, but this is key – you must tell the truth!

If you bombed your first interview with the company, this is going to be a challenge because it’s hard to overcome first impressions and your first impression wasn’t very good, right? So the procedure is the same, contact the person you interviewed with and explain the reasons why you didn’t do well in your interview. Again, no excuses just tell the truth. 

The only way to salvage a bad interview, whether it was the first second or third, is to be totally open and honest about what happened. Companies totally understand you might be dealing with some type of family issue; financial issue, health issue or work related issue and it could affect your performance during an interview. We are all human, it happens.

Telling the truth will win the day for you. If the company believes you’re sincere they might give you another chance to prove yourself. Give it a shot! And remember, the next time you’re scheduled for an interview, if you’re not feeling your absolute best (100%!) reschedule your interview for another day. This is too important. I hope this helps.

Good luck to you!