Interview Bloopers: Unfortunate Events and How to Perform Damage Control

So you’ve done everything we have recommended. Your resume is flawless, your cover letter is perfectly constructed, and your new black suit is pressed and ready to go for that upcoming interview. You are positive you have done everything and anything to secure the job of your dreams.

Well, maybe you have. But unexpected events are bound to happen eventually in any situation. Why should your job search be any different?

Just take a deep breath and read on. With a little guidance, even the most shocking “Ooops!” can be smoothed over.

Unfortunate Event #1: You are running late for an interview.
While being late to an interview is generally considered an irreconcilable blunder, unexpected circumstances are sure to arise occasionally. You get stuck in traffic, have a flat tire, your car won’t start…

In this event, call the interviewer directly and immediately. This allows you to accurately detail the situation to him or her personally. You never know the manner in which the message will be relayed or the details the person will accurately forward. Make every attempt to reach the interviewer first.

If you anticipate that you may be more than 15 minutes late, ask the interviewer if he or she would prefer to reschedule. When you arrive, make it a point to apologize sincerely, and be ready to provide a reason (not an excuse!) for your tardiness.

Preventative Tip: Allow a half-hour more traveling time than actually required. However, DO NOT arrive more than 10 minutes early for the interview. If you find that you are too early, review your resume and notes in your car or at a nearby café.

Unfortunate Event #2: You forget the name of the person you are meeting.
In this case, the Internet is your best friend. Comb the company webpage for an employee directory, and try as hard as you can to recall the name or position of the person.

The person you are meeting may also be the same person to whom you sent your resume and cover letter. Try to locate a copy of your cover letter in order to check the recipient’s name.

If all else fails, call the company and speak to the receptionist. Although this may be extremely humiliating, try to make light of the situation. Say something like “Hello, this is Mary, a candidate for the ____ position. I was so ecstatic over the interview that I forgot to write down the name of the person who will be meeting with me this Thursday!” And remember- be polite!

(And when you finally do find out the person’s name- write it down!)

Preventative Tip: When an employer calls to schedule an interview, the first thing you should do is write down the time, date and location of the interview, as well as the interviewer’s name. If the employer does not provide you with a name, ask!

Unfortunate Event #3: You somehow manage to get dirty before the interview.
The worst way to handle this situation is to allow the interviewer to think that you carelessly wore dirty clothing to the interview.

First, assess the damage. Is there a stain and is it noticeable?

Second, attempt to clean up. During your job search, it may be a good idea to keep detergent wipes handy in your briefcase or purse.

If the stain does not come out and is visible, make light of the situation. Acknowledge that the accident happened and try to have a good laugh about it with the interviewer. Who knows? He or she may just remember you fondly because of it! The conversation may also be good icebreaker.

Preventative Tip: Once you put on your interview attire, food and drink is off limits! Don’t risk it!

Unfortunate Event #4: You get lost on your way to the interview.
If you are too intimidated to call the employer right away, stop to ask for directions. Hotels are generally good places to ask for directions because their employees often assist those from out-of-town in finding their destinations. If possible, provide them with an address for the location, or at least a street name.

If you choose to call the employer, provide whomever you speak to with clear details as to your current location. Write down directions as the person relays them to you, and try to provide him or her with an estimated time of arrival.

When you finally arrive at the interview, make sure to find out who provided you with the directions and thank them personally. Also, apologize sincerely to the interviewer if you arrive late, and explain the situation.

Preventative Tip: If possible, drive to the location the day before your interview, and make note of detours, confusing turns and street names. Place a copy of the directions, address and phone number in your car the night before to make sure it is there when you leave for the interview.

Unfortunate Event #5: The interviewer mispronounces your name.
This is a tough one. Many candidates feel intimidated by the interviewer, thus afraid to point out the mistake. However, it is better to correct the employer during the interview than to wait until you are hired. If you wait, the employer might wonder why you didn’t speak up sooner! Just be tactful when correcting the mistake.

Preventative Tip: Make sure you say your first name clearly on your voicemail greeting. That way, when an employer calls and gets forwarded to voicemail, they hear how you have pronounced your own name.

Unfortunate Event #6: The interviewer is not friendly.
Before you panic, realize that there exist a small percentage of interviewers out there who intend to make you quiver under pressure. Although this approach tends to scare off more qualified candidates than it attracts, some employers feel this is a good way to screen out candidates who crack under pressure.

The best way to handle a cold interviewer is to remain calm and self-assured. Smile and be polite, and answer questions in a manner that displays your knowledge and experience. The best strategy in this situation is to never let on that you are intimidated or nervous. Smiling might even cause the interviewer to crack a little!

Preventative Tip: View this interview scenario as simply a test of your ability to work well with difficult people. If you approach uncomfortable situation as a challenge, you will be more determined to remain calm and handle it appropriately.

Unfortunate Event #7: You realize you are dressed inappropriately.
This situation is easiest to handle if you are overdressed rather than underdressed. If you enter a room wearing your best black suit only to be greeted by an interviewer in jeans, don’t panic. Although you may feel overdressed and awkward, you are sending a strong message to the interviewer that you take the position seriously. Never consider overdressing a negative when it comes to interviewing.

Many companies are rather casual on a daily basis, but expect that their candidates to dress professionally during the selection process. Consider the company dress code to be applicable to you after you are hired. During the interview process, always aim for a step above everyone else.

You may be able to modify your attire a bit if you arrive overdressed. For example, you may wish to discreetly remove your suit jacket and drape it over your chair. However, avoid noticeably altering your appearance once the interview has seen you (for example, do not make a run to the restroom and change your outfit once you have arrived!).

If you arrive underdressed, you are placed in a more difficult situation. If you are a student and the interview was scheduled suddenly, it may be acceptable to explain that you did not have the opportunity to purchase a suit. Use your best instincts to anticipate how the interviewer will respond to such a statement before using this tactic.

If all else fails, make up for your appearance by performing well in the interview. There is a chance that you may impress the employer enough that he or she may look past the first impression.

Preventative Tip: People form impressions of others within minutes, and those impressions are difficult to change. Avoid getting caught in this situation by purchasing a suit at the very beginning of your job search. A suit is almost always acceptable attire for an interview, and this is a good investment. Also, keep in mind the advice from above- it is much easier to overcome being overdressed, so aim to impress every time!

Unfortunate Event #8: You perform poorly during the interview for a dream job.
While most people would consider themselves eliminated from the candidate pool after a bad interview, some are able to prevail. It’s tough, but with some serious damage control, some candidates can convince employers to take a second look.

The key to overcoming the bad interview lies in the follow-up and requires immediate action. The best way to tackle the situation is through your thank-you letter. Aside from thanking the employer for the interview, you also want to reiterate your strengths, skills and experiences and offer to reschedule a second interview.

Explain in the body of the letter your reasons for the bad interview, but do not focus too heavily on the negatives. Instead, outline the experiences and skills that make you a perfect fit for the job. Acknowledge the employer’s concerns, but also reassure him or her that you can do the job well. Offer to reschedule a second interview- what have you got to lose?

If you are extended a second opportunity, be well-prepared and ready to impress. A second chance is rare, but it is your opportunity to erase the previous interview as best you can.

Preventative Tip: Prepare for an interview as though it were a final exam or important research paper. Never go to an interview without doing your research, anticipating questions and planning out answers as best you can.