We always want our interviews to go over smoothly, but sometimes things go wrong. The most important thing to do in these situations is remembering not to panic. Its not going to be the end of the world. Good preparation and keeping a clear head can help you get through most roadblocks that might pop up between you and your interview. Take a look at the tips below to get a few ideas about adapting to the most common mistakes people make when heading in to an interview.
Submitting Wrong Resume
This is a problem few may come across, as not many people have more than one resume (even though you should have different resumes for different positions). However, if you do ever submit the wrong resume in an application, look at the situation and respond accordingly. In some cases, the differences between the resume you wanted to submit and the one you actually submitted are so small you won’t need to take any action. However, for example, if you’re applying for a clerical position and submit a resume that only includes your general labor/industrial skills, then you will definitely want to get the correct resume in front of the recruiter. Send an email explaining the mistake and make sure the correct email is attached as a PDF.
Being Late
Being late to an interview isn’t always your fault, but it almost always makes a bad impression. Your car might not start, traffic might be bad, or maybe you forgot to set your alarm. Life can get in the way sometimes, but no matter your situation, if you find yourself running late to an interview you need to call your interviewer to let them know. Don’t waste time with excuses; instead, acknowledge the mistake and apologize. In some cases, especially if your interviewer has a busy schedule, they may ask that you reschedule. While this can be frustrating, its important to keep a positive demeanor over the phone to make a good impression. Rescheduling an interview is better than not getting an interview at all.
Mixing up Appointments
Chances are, if you’re looking for work, you’re applying to a lot of different places and scheduling interviews all over the place and that can lead to some appointment mix-ups. Mixing up where you need to be and when can lead to some pretty stressful situations. You don’t want your interviewer thinking you stood them up. If you ever find yourself in this situation, call as soon as you are aware of your mistake. Don’t give too lengthy of an apology, but let them know you had a scheduling mishap and would like to reschedule; and be sure to accommodate the hiring manager’s schedule. Being proactive and admitting your mistake are actually traits recruiters look for in candidates, so this very well might get you a second chance.
Your Phone Goes Off
As a general rule, its a good idea to make sure your phone is on silent and put away when you go into any kind of meeting; but especially for an interview. You want to give the interviewer your full attention and the interruption of your cell phone going off can bring the interview to a halt and is usually seen as unprofessional. If you ever find yourself in this position, DO NOT answer your phone. Instead, immediately silence it, apologize for the interruption, and continue with the interview. The less amount of time you spend on the issue, the better.
You Accidentally Swear
This one is more common than you might think. It can be easy to have a little slip up when you’re talking about something you’re passionate about, or when the interview has a very conversational tone. While some might think this is the end of the world, relax, it isn’t. If you do find yourself in this position, address it but don’t spend too much of your time apologizing about it. Instead, try to spin your slip up as a positive. Explain that you get so excited talking about (insert subject) that you can get a little carried away. This option acknowledges your mistake but also lets the recruiter know that you have passion for the work you do.
You’re Asked a Question You Don’t Know the Answer To
This is a road block that many people dread in an interview for fear of looking like they don’t know what they are talking about. In reality, your interviewer is not going to expect you to know EVERYTHING. If you are asked a question that you aren’t sure of, take your time in answering as it shows that you are thinking through the question to work out the best answer. This is typically why recruiters ask hard questions, they want to see your critical thinking and problem solving skills in action. If you genuinely don’t know the answer, don’t be afraid to admit it; but be sure to give a well educated guess because again, they’re not necessarily looking for the right answer so much as they are looking to see how you approach difficult problems.
You Suffer a Wardrobe Malfunction
You’re all set to go for your interview, got your most up to date resume, you’re on time, and right before you walk into the interviewer’s office you notice a stain on your shirt or hole in your pants. This can really bring your confidence, but its important to remember that your interviewer is judging you based on your skills, not entirely on your wardrobe. When you head in, try to make a quick little joke about the spot or hole and quickly move on; don’t make it into a bigger deal than it is. In the future, make sure to pack a stain stick and/or a small sewing kit with you so you can adapt to any wardrobe issue you may face before your interview.