I had an awful job interview today and I am bereft - AIBU to ask for your perspective?

[RubyWho]

Interviewed for an executive manager role today, was invited to apply for the role (ie we have this coming up, we think you’d be a good fit, apply!)

I was more nervous than I usually am and some of my answers were subject to cross examining. No other word for it, exact phrase was “you said earlier “x y z. Why?” I felt stuck and lost and I’m really scared that I fucked this very badly up. I don’t know what came over me.

I am sad. I thought I’d have this in the bag? I did preface by saying “I apologise in advance, I’m incredibly nervous”.

Has anyone had a disasterous interview that turned out well in the end?

It might not be as bad as you think. Were you able to elaborate on your answers when asked? When will they let you know?

I think interviews are worse when you know the people interviewing you. I'm always nervous at interview but in a new company I tend to think if it goes badly, it doesn't matter because you'll never see these people again, and that relaxes me a bit.

For internal posts, you don't have that. I had a similar interview recently, so nervous beforehand I wished a sudden illness would strike so I didn't have to do it. I too started the interview telling them how nervous I was! But they were lovely, total opposite experience to you. Try not to dwell on it.

I was able to, but struggled to somewhat as the way the questions were presented threw me off guard. With the example above, I responded “yes I gave that answer as an example of this specific situation ....” and explained the situation, then said how I’d approach it differently.
I’ll know by Thursday or Friday. Argh!

Hello - it wasn’t an internal post, I’ve explained this badly.
I went for a director role about 4 months ago. Didn’t get it but was encouraged to apply for This Role. Got on extremely well with the original panel who were incredibly impressed by me. Have been speaking to hiring managers manager all throughout this time, and the person the role replaces.
If that makes sense?

Some people interview really well but aren't suitable for the job, and some of the best people for the position are terrible at interviews. Don't panic, it always feels worse when you're looking back at it. See what they say, and ask for some feedback whatever the answer is.

I had an awful interview for my current job. Had been invited to apply as people in the company knew me as my previous company worked with theirs. Interview was a car crash but I got the job. When they offered me the job they actually said something along the lines of “what on Earth was that interview about” and agreed with me when I said I needed some interview coaching! Guess they knew what my work was like and hired me anyway.

Funnily enough I’ve had another interview recently which went amazingly well. I was dreading it after the last one! It only takes a couple of unexpected or badly worded questions to throw you off!

You're applying for a senior role yet coming across as an entry level assistant. They don't need to know (or see) that you're nervous, and your answers should not contradict each other. You're building up a full picture of your abilities, not a few distinct examples (that tend to sound made up if the answers don't flow). It does sound like it went badly, but they've already shown their interest in you so hopefully will overlook it and focus on what they already know of you.

Best of luck.

My answers were all related to the same theme (which is essentially change management), rather than I did this, then this, then this other thing.
They also grilled me on my knowledge of a particular part of UK Legislation which I know inside and out so at least that went well
You’re all right - there is literally nothing I can do now.

I had one years ago and without intending too, I basically tore their system of doing something to shreads. Pointed out where they were going wrong and why inspections had criticised them and what would work better etc.

I knew after the first 5 mins, I didn’t want the job as I was told x amount of time in the office and x at home. Only problem being between home and office was 160 miles. So when they said they wanted me there 5 days a week I knew it was a no go.

Surprisingly they offered me the job! I turned it down. They increased my salary by 5k. I turned it down. This carried on until I was 45k over the initial salary, and they said they couldn’t go higher. I still didn’t take it, as I had children at home. 1/2 nights away would have been fine, but not all week every week.

So OP don’t think you’ve messed up- you may surprise yourself!

Why is it “bad” to admit nerves? I’ve been on a hiring panel countless times and never batted an eyelid at someone visibly nervous, whether they “disclosed” it or not.

@snowyalps I did something similar I now realise! I asked why the organisation weren’t a member of a particular representative body/group, out of interest, and now realise how unprofessional that may have come across! Oh god. I’m doomed.

Any good interviewer will understand you’re nervous no matter how senior the role. FWIW I always think the interviews that have gone terribly usually turn out to be the ones that get you hired (unless they went spectacularly tits up!!) ;the ones where you’re more confident about can usually surprise you and not in a good way. Good luck OP!

Thanks for the support and kind words everyone. I’ve felt terrible since I left there and really needed some perspective!

I’d be surprised at someone in an interview for a senior role discussing their nerves tbh.

I thought I'd screwed up an interview recently and they offered me the job - it might not be as bad as you think.

Whatever happens, learn from it for the next time but hopefully you'll hear good news soon! Hang in there OP!

I done something similar at an interview too!

Mine was in-house for my first senior manger role. I queried why we didn’t do xyz, because if you compared it to our competitors etc etc. As soon as I started talking about it, I thought shit, I’m criticising my company, but I was too far in, to go back.

I had 3 directors on the panel, plus my line manager. The one director at the end, asked for a copy of my PowerPoint, as I had raised a good point and she wanted to take it to the next board meeting.

I got the job!

I have spent a lot of time interviewing and in my experience, that kind of cross examining is a test of decision making and leadership. They want to see you justify and defend your answer - as you would if questioned by staff below you. It’s more of an interviewing technique than a criticism of your answers.

No point worrying, it’s done now!

Hi OP. I did the most dreadful interview for my present job. Awful. So bad I nearly got up and walked out. I went home and cried.

Like you, I told them I was nervous. I still got the job. Don’t know how.

To be honest I wasn’t particularly impressed with the interview process as they did nothing to put me at ease at all. Made me feel as though I didn’t want to work there afterall. Not a happy experience.

Good luck!

Actually this can’t be as bad as the time I interviewed someone with my then line manager and the interviewee ignored me all through the interview- directed answers to my questions to my then boss who looked somewhat perplexed.

Re nerves, I didn’t say OH MY GOD I AM SO NERVOUS PLEASE FORGIVE ME BLOODY HELL, nothing over the top, but I take your point. It would have been fairly obvious anyway because at one point my water glass was visibly shaking. I literally don’t know what came over me because I know the role inside out, upside down and in the dark. I can only blame lunar cycles (that’s a joke)

My last interview I actually blanked I was so nervous and a couple of times had to say “ I’m sorry I can’t think of an example right now’”
I cried on the way home.
I got the job

Good luck, I’m sure it went a lot better than you think.

Hope it is actually all OK.

I don't think them asking you why you gave an answer is cross examination, more, perhaps, for clarity.

You might surprise yourself!

I was observed for my last interview and I made an almighty faux pas during my observation. When I was interviewed afterwards, they asked me if I would do anything different in my observation and I explained my cock up (which showed that I knew what I'd done). They said they appreciated my honesty and gave me the job.

I had one interview like that - I just dried up! I didn't get the job, but the excruciating feeling of shame, cringing and wanting to crawl under a rock wore off pretty soon, if that cheers you up at all.

The odd thing is I didn't especially want that job. It's as if I couldn't do my usual excellent interview without the associated stress and adrenaline.

My current role was like that - very pushy and kind of interrogatory interview style. Described it to a friend and she said it sounded like a verbal version of .

Got the job

Discovered later that this is their style to see how people cope with being pushed and challenged.