Making a mess of interviews

[DarkDarkNight]

I had an interview today for a job I’m really well suited to but once again turned into a mess. I made some good points and mentioned the things I wanted but fell apart when they asked some questions that I had no clue about.

I am so inarticulate when under pressure and even when I have prepared well and researched the company when they ask me if I know about the company I get a couple of things out then draw a blank.

I don’t think I can do anything about my lack of recall, but I was wondering how interviewers see this? Obviously they expect nerves, but is an articulate, confident individual a shoo-in? I know my employers are really impressed with candidates like that.

[ohcanada]

There is nothing wrong with not knowing everything, in fact, during interviews I often ask people difficult questions as it gives a break from polished rehearsed answers and shows a person's real personality. I usually don't care what a person says, but their general approach to the interview. A good candidate will come across as positive, pleasant to chat to, confident in their abilities (not necessarily a confident personality), interested in the company and well prepared.

It's always fine to take a few seconds to breathe and think after the question, there's no rush to respond. Relax and smile, it's easier to forgive someone who's emitting a positive vibe when they don't get something right, if you're tense and shaky it'll come across as weakness.


Sounds like you need to better prepare your 'i don't know answers'. Re-write all of your answers for the questions you've missed so far if you could answer them again. Write down all the questions you could possibly think of that they could ask, search online for typical interview questions and prepare those.

Some ideas:
'I'm sorry, I didn't come across that in my research, could you elaborate?'

'I don't currently know enough about that I'm afraid, so I can't answer that question....' (then ask them about it, or offer to discuss a similar topic)

[DarkDarkNight]

Thank you for your response. I had prepared answers for common questions and managed them ok I think with reference to qualities in the job description. I answered some questions I hadn’t actually prepared (what would you do if your manager asked you to do something you were uncomfortable with) ok. It’s just remembering. I fall to pieces.

I was completely blindsided by some technical questions. Not to be too outing but did I know what a number to do with accreditation stood for. I knew the number pertaining to my own industry and could discuss what I thought would be important in Thisbe industry. But it put me in quite a negative headspace. I was then thinking ‘they think I haven’t done any research or prepared’.

[DarkDarkNight]

I may rewrite my answers while the questions are fresh in my mind then I have some ideas for next time, that’s a great idea.

[ohcanada]

I wouldn't worry too much about very detailed answers to be honest. When I do an interview it's very much about the person and how they manage situations, facts and figures can be learnt and rarely need to be learnt by heat anyway!