11 things to do when your interview goes badly

11 things to do when your interview goes badly by Amber Rolfe Unfortunately, interviews don’t always go to plan… Whether you slipped up on your answers, prepared for the wrong questions, or nerves got the better of you â€" some interviews can leave you feeling like you’ve blown your chances. Luckily however, there are a few key ways to turn an interview fail into an interview win. No, really.We’ve already covered how to deal with stress in an interview, but here are 11 things you should always do after a bad interview: Destress first Nobody’s in the right mindset after a bad interview. So take a few hours to relax first and revisit the experience later when you can see things in the right light. Don’t overreactSure, you might’ve slipped up on a few questions (and/or the stairs), but remember: minor mistakes aren’t necessarily deal breakers.  Eight signs your interview went wellFigure out where you went wrongOnce the initial embarrassment/anger/disappointment (insert other emotion here) has subsided â€" i t’s time to pinpoint any not-so-perfect interview moments.Post-interview checklist Learn from your mistakes Even something as simple as cutting back on caffeine (AKA the main culprit of interview nerves) could make all the difference at your next interview.How to prepare for an interview     But focus on the positives too Trust us, there are some â€" and recognising them is essential to avoid falling into a pit of despair. It’ll also ensure you replicate your finer moments at your next interview.What to do after a job interview     Send a thank you emailThis is a great opportunity to express your interest in the role, cover anything you forgot to mention at the interview, and thank the interviewer for their time.Interview thank you email template Tell them what you really meant to sayIf there are certain aspects of your skills that you wish you’d covered, now’s your chance. That way, the recruiter will know that the interview wasn’t fully representative of your abilities. But don’t apologise (or waste time talking about your mistakes)Unless you’re absolutely sure the recruiter caught your mistakes, avoid drawing attention to where you went wrong. Especially if you already apologised (excessively) in the interview.Why haven’t they called? The importance of asking for feedbackRequest a follow up interviewYour thank you email is also the perfect place to ask for a second chance. Even an extra 15 minutes of your interviewer’s time could be enough to turn things around.What recruiters really want from you at an interview Stop overthinking it Overthinking is a dangerous game â€" so don’t make things worse by dwelling on one bad experience. And let’s face it, we all have a tendency to overdramatise the past…Seven signs you’re overthinking your interview     Keep searchingFinally, never let a bad interview put you off all other interviews. Try, try, try again (and other, totally legit inspirational quotes).Job search dos and don’tsSeven of the worst pieces of advice you could give to a jobseekerIf you’ve done all of the above but still didn’t manage to turn it around, don’t panic. Here’s how to deal with interview rejection, along with five things you should never do if you don’t get the job.Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now