Failed 2nd job interview - is there hope

[cofingalthetime]

Hi, I'm really unhappy in my present job and am trying to get a different one but have done 2 interviews, and unsuccessful in both. I suppose people say 'just leave' or 'just get another job' when you say you don't like your job, but it's not easy. So disappointed. Am applying for another job now, but am very despondent. Better try and get my confidence up before the next interview. Anyone any tips. I did loads of prep for both, had all my "stories" ready - you know for the 'tell me about a time when' questions.

Take confidence from the fact you passed the first one

You've not 'failed' them - don't let yourself get into that mindset.

When you realise what you might be up against (internal hires with other interviewees just a formality, lowest-salary possible choices, uncertain work environments etc.) you'll realise that the reason why you didn't get the job is very rarely all down to you.

What industry are you interviewing in and in what region?

Did you get any feedback from the interviews? If not, can you ask for feedback? Do you have any friends who you can practice answering those “tell me a time questions” aloud or at the very least just practice saying aloud? I found that it’s one thing to have the answer in your head and another thing to have it spoken smoothly (if that makes sense). It’s a numbers game. If it helps, when I was looking to slightly change areas of my job a few years ago, I made about 100 applications, got about 4 interviews and got one job. From each of the 3 first interviews I tweaked each time until I was successful the 4th time. Some advice someone gave me is make sure you know the 3-4 things you want to get across in the interview and make sure you get them across even if at the end it’s a matter of “and one more thing I wanted to mention was…”

Don’t be hard on yourself - pick yourself up and focus on the next - you can do this! 😊

Can you get any feedback from the interviewers about why you didn't get the job?

As others have said, there are lots of factors that go into whether you get a job - performance in an interview; your skills and experience; whether there were any well suited internal candidates; whether you had any spark or chemistry with the hiring managers etc.

But if you can get some feedback, it might make it easier to focus your efforts. For example, if it was just interview technique and perhaps you didn't explain your experience clearly or compellingly enough, then that can be worked on. If it was that your experience and skills weren't what was needed, then it might be that you need to adjust what sort of jobs you're looking for etc.

@araiwa no, I've done 2 interviews, and wasnt successful in either, for either job :)
Thanks, yes I've asked for feedback.
My colleague just told me she is going for an interview now, in our company, not job that I'm interested in as it is part time. Cant help feeling jealous if she gets it. It took me 13 interviews to get the job I'm in now. I don't know if I can go through that again :(