How job seekers can learn from a bad interview
THURSDAY, APRIL 04, 2013 11:25 AM

There are many things job seekers can do to prepare for an interview, from taking a career test to researching the company they have applied to. However, no matter how ready they think they are, some interviews just do not go according to plan.

However, rather than sulking after a bad job interview, individuals should pick themselves up and view their experience as an opportunity to learn. Here are a few steps job seekers can take after a bad interview that can prepare them for their next one:

Identify what went wrong
A job interview can take a turn for the worse for any number of reasons. To pinpoint the exact moment when things took a nosedive, CBS MoneyWatch recommends job candidates lay out each stage of their interview in writing. This process allows people to vent their frustrations, identify what they could have done better and, ultimately, move on.

"The worst thing you can do is talk about it non-stop and dart from moment to moment about what went wrong," J.T. O'Donnell, a career expert, told the news source.

Seek out professional advice
Sometimes, individuals are too close to their interview experience to see what went wrong. If this is the case, they may want to consider turning to someone who can provide a new perspective on their interview, such as an interviewing specialist, the news outlet suggested. When job seekers go down this route, they may be able to figure out what they are doing right, and how they can improve and become the best job candidate possible.

No one is perfect
The job search is filled with ups and downs, so individuals who seek employment opportunities need to understand that they are not perfect. Not everything will go their way, and beating themselves up following a bad interview solves nothing. Forbes recommends people accept their mistakes and look ahead.

"This will help you to play better in the game in the future," Sylvie Stewart, an assistant director of career services at the University of Dayton, told the news outlet.

There is no denying that job interviews can be stressful. However, as long as individuals keep a level head before, during and after they meet with a representative from a potential employer, they can avoid some of the problems that keep other job seekers from achieving their career goals.