Messed up interview

[peanutbutterandbananas]

Thoughts please! I interviewed for an ex colleague who's now in a senior role at a similar company, and totally messed up the written task before then underperforming in the panel interview by not elaborating enough on answers, or "selling myself" enough. I am mortified. Needless to say, didn't get the job... has anyone else been in this position? I've asked the HR for feedback. Should I leave it there? I had a really off day, sleepless week with DC being sick, but feel it would be petty to explain that... and it won't change anything. So worried now if same would happen in another interview!!

I didn't feel like I did too bad but I interviewed for an ex colleague twice and didn't get the job both times! I called it quits there (pride) and got a job somewhere else which has better development opportunities and was the same level as the one I was rejected for twice.

I don't think I did that well at the interview for the job I got tbh. I think they were more focused on hiring people who have potential and could adapt well, whereas the previous one was a bit more old fashioned in terms of the role and how it worked.

Did they give you verbal feedback which is how you know what you didn't do well on, and then ask for HR feedback? I would only want high level and informal feedback in this instance, it sounds like you've got a lot going on and know you didn't nail it. I'd not punish myself further by going over and over it. Definitely wouldn't explain x and y as like you say I think it makes a difference and just prolongs the discomfort about it all.

I'm sorry it was a shitter! I had never not got a job at interview and then worked for an awful, awful man. It took me SIX interviews to get my next job. Battered my confidence. But I'm doing really well now, love my team and organisation, has its faults but it's easily the best job out of the six too. Hang in there

If it makes you feel better, another job I went for and got a no. They ASKED me to apply for a lower ranked job (the same as what I was doing) reporting into the person they hired for the initial job. I went along to that and still got a big fat no..! The feedback was a bit of a cop out really, 'someone else is already doing the job elsewhere'. In reality it was a stinker of a commute (best part of two hours by car!) with requirements to be on site three days per week and I had a one year old. But yes, I was specifically sought out and asked to apply and they still said no.....

I’d drop your ex colleague a note saying you’d had a shit week and sorry you underperformed but leave it there.

Thank you for sharing your experience(s)! That has helped me a lot! Going over and over it is awful. I got a very generic email saying someone more experienced got the role... and replied asking for feedback and haven't heard, but then of course it's Christmas (and don't really want to kick off the year with feedback but there you go!!). I can totally see how it took you a few interviews to find this brilliant role you have now, it does make you doubt yourself - when clearly you were capable. And that must have really played on your mind when you didn't get the job that they'd asked YOU to go for!?! I really appreciate you sharing, and your story has given me faith that I will get the right next job (at some point!)

Thank you. Yes, think you're right, keep it brief, or could look like I'm just making up excuses. Thank you for your advice.

I had an interview in October for an internal role (promotion) and didn’t get it. I asked the hiring manager for feedback and got some useful tips. I also didn’t feel it went well - I was so out of practise after wfh during covid and mat leave too! Fast forward to December and I had an interview for another role and got it. So don’t beat yourself up and get all the feedback you can, then try again ☺️

Thank you so much @grumpycow1. Well done on getting the role, I've found your experience really encouraging. Will keep browsing the job ads for the next opp!