Something inside you tells you that you mucked it up, big? It is quite likely they will not want you; it is also likely that you yourself will not want to be working there.
These are some guidelines to help you follow up awkward interview situations:
- The Hiring Manager Is Biased And You Don't Like Him
If you feel that the hiring manager is of prejudiced bent and you don't like his attitude, rest assured the feelings will be mutual. So, if both the employer and the employee do not share an amicable chemistry, working in the same workplace can be extremely difficult.
Send a nicely worded email to the person who interviewed you and tell him that, the interview and your visit to the workplace, has led you to believe that this is not the right position for you. Instead of the company sending you a rejection letter, which they most likely will, you tell them that you are not interested. But do it in polite, courteous language. Never say that you want to have nothing to do with your company ever – it never pays to burn bridges, tell them that you would be glad to consider any other job openings that may be more suitable to you.
- The Job Nor The Company Is To Your Liking
It may be the dream job that you have been waiting for and you may be the ideal candidate for it, but if you have a gut feeling in your stomach that your working here, would be a marriage of incompatible partners, it is better you bow out of the race. Peace and happiness at work pacts the company's and your individual growth. Instead of facing restlessness and discontent on a daily basis, it's better to bid adieu. A workplace with a congenial and hospitable atmosphere should always be preferred even if they pay a little less.
- Always Jot Down The Interviewer's Name And Contact Details
How could you be so careless and stupid to forget the interviewer's name? You did not jot down his name, not ask for his business card. Moreover, it was not a name that slips of the tongue easily so trying to recollect it will be futile and worse still, make you conjoin a wrong name. Without the interviewer's name, how can you send the follow-up thank you letter, or make the follow-up calls.
Well, you have to find out his name. Ask your recruiter if you have gone through one. Recruiters normally know the names and contact details of such persons as they are regular touch with them. However, if you have approached the company directly, you have no option but to call them up and try to find the interviewers name.
If all fail and you are uncertain, whether the name that you have finally managed to get is of the same person, go down to the company, walk up to the man and tell him that you regret very much forgetting his name, but would he be so kind to tell you now. He will probably appreciate your honesty and boldness.
- Embarrassing Twist of Fate
It is a one in a million chance that such a thing happens, but it has known to happen and why leave anything to chance. Prior to the interview you are at the mall and you get into a sharp exchange with the person who is trying to break the queue. You call him names, he's not likely to forget in a hurry. Or the man in the elevator, with whom you exchanged rude and boorish comment, only because he asked you to shift a little or a lady, whose sartorial choices you dubbed inelegant, because she said that your shoes could have done with some polish.
Now imagine the same person is the interviewer who is going to interview you. Horror of horrors, he stares at you and gives you a shocked look, which leaves you in no doubt that he has recognized you.
The man behind the desk will relish the opportunity of fixing you nice and proper and make you pay for you misdemeanor. What do you do?
Tackle it head on. As time ticks by, you'll be getting more and more worried and bothered. Approach the man before the interview commences and request him for a minute of his time. When you have his time and attention, say that you are extremely sorry for what happened and that you really don't know what triggered such a reaction from you and that you normally don't behave like that. Moreover, you are determined that such an occasion will never recur. Ask him not to hold it against you and that it should not negatively impact the interview.
Don't forget to mention the incident in your post interview thank-you note. Tell that in hindsight you extremely regret your puerile behavior and hope that you have been forgiven for it.
It is important that however awkward the situation and for the most implausible reasons, don't lose control of yourself. Don't become frantic or get ill at ease. There are ways to come out of the most awkward situations and you can turn your negatives into positives.
