to ask if if you had an interview candidate who said something incredibly stupid

[saltedhotchoc]

would it negate the rest of the interview?

Totally frazzled. Had important interview, was supposed to be in person but am COVID+ (symptomless) so we had to do online. DD9 not ill, but very worried about being ill as she also tested positive so being very clingy. Had a million one tech issues including my laptop going stone cold dead whilst I was introducing myself and I had to run and get my husbands iPad.

Interview went perfectly, everyone nodding happily as I answer, until we get to one question where I give the wrong answer. Interview asks me again, as he clearly wants to give me a chance to get it right. I get it wrong. We move onto further questions, and a different panel member butts in a asks me again, saying just want to give you a chance to redeem yourself (in friendly way), I give the wrong answer Every question after that went well, but I felt like I was on autopilot.

It is something very very basic, they had praised my skills in this area based on my existing work, but it was like my brain was broken, I knew the answer but was saying it wrong. I am mortified. I feel not only have I wrecked my chances, but made a total idiot out of myself in front five very important people in my field.

AGH. I keep muttering IDIOT to myself which I know isn't helpful but I cannot believe my brain.

The worst thing is I think the panel genuinely wanted to hire me and I've made it impossible to do that, and it's going to so embarassing explaining to people why.

@TheSunIsStillShining

look on the bright side: It's not that bad... you had everything else nailed. You actually have a chance,

Here's 2 stories to cheer you up.
I moved here for a job, but decided not to extend contract after 6 months, so started interviews. I am bilingual hungarian/english. I speak some german, but more kitchen german than anything else.
Went to an interview with a design agency and the interviewer had a german name. From that point on half the words came to me in german. He didn't speak german and I looked like an idiot and kept searching for the most basic words. This was a client facing role of course.

Another interview few years later ... went well, panel of 4 ppl, 2 never said a word, totally forgot their names too. Going out I walked into the door frame. You know, when you turn and the bloody thing teleports there. swore slightly in hungarian under my nose. Then got told off by the 4th man that it is not professional to "swear as a soda carriage driver". In perfect hungarian. Using the perfect hungarian phrase for it.

Those are great. Thanks for sharing.

@Mermaidwaves - I did not get the job

Yay, well done 🎉

Congratulations! I'm so pleased for you. There's nothing worse than your mind going blank in an interview, the panic is unreal.

I once inadvertently called the hiring manager old during an interview, and another time I said that trying to coordinate academic staff is like herding cats - to the academic on the panel. I got the job both times and now, many years later, I'm the flaky academic constantly apologising to the course administrator so the joke's on me

I once interviewed someone who was young (so probably not much interview experience) and clearly very nervous. She interviewed terribly. At the end I asked if she would like some feedback and she said yes, so I gave her some. Then asked if she would like to come back tomorrow and try again with a clean slate. She did much better, and was one of the best people I ever hired!

Congratulations OP. Don't mention the problem while negotiating the salary. And make sure you start high on the negotiating. They've already decided you're the one so go in hard and FORGET THE QUESTION YOU DIDN'T ANSWER. They will balance this against the costs and time of hiring and interviewing people. And see if you can find out more about the wage structure including the manager negotiating with you.

great news, well done! Now negotiate hard. Go in high (but within reality realm!), tell them why you are worth it and what you will bring that makes you worth more. Then pause. Say nothing. Let him fill the silence. If he says 'well we were thinking this #, ask him if that was before or after finding you.

I have hired many, many people, mostly lawyers, and the men always ask for much more than the woman. ALWAYS. Don't be that woman.

Hurrah!! Well done!
Good luck with the negotiations, aim high!