How I Turned My Interview Failures into Valuable Lessons

I’ve failed some pretty important job interviews in my life. (At least, they felt really important at the time.) And the ones that hurt the most? Those are the ones I couldn’t shake off. You know the feeling—the regret that lingers for days, weeks, even months afterward.

I’m talking about those nights where you’re lying awake, running through all the “what ifs.” Or those mornings where you're stuck in traffic, rain pouring down, heading to a job you can't stand. You look out the window, teeth clenched, wishing you’d nailed that interview and made your escape.

Sound familiar? Yeah, we’ve all been there.

(One day, I’ll share stories of folks I’ve coached—people who were so close to giving up and didn’t realize they were just one or two interviews away from landing their dream job!)

But here’s the thing. You know why I regretted those interviews so much?

Because, in hindsight, I know I didn’t prepare enough. Sure, at the time, I thought I had done my best—but looking back, there were definitely things I could have researched or practiced that would’ve helped me feel more ready for the questions that scared me the most.

See, I’ve since learned that interviewers tend to ask a lot of the same “standard” questions. In fact, there are about twenty of them that pop up over and over again. And yeah, some of those are the dreaded questions—the ones about your weaknesses, gaps in your job history, or even getting fired.

But here’s the good news: you can actually turn those tough questions into opportunities to show off the traits they’re looking for. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true! It’s all about reframing the situation and preparing the right way ahead of time.

If only I had known back then what I know now, I could’ve walked into those interviews confident, ready to tell my story in a way that highlighted why I was the perfect fit. I could’ve presented myself with pride instead of fear.

So, let me share something I wish someone had told me:

When it comes to job interviews, there are always going to be things outside of your control. Maybe the job’s already been promised to the boss’s nephew, or maybe it’s down to you and one other equally qualified candidate and the decision comes down to a coin toss.

Stuff like that? It happens. But it's rare.

What you can control is how prepared you are when you walk into that room. When you’ve got a solid game plan, when you’ve practiced and researched ahead of time, you’ll present the best version of yourself. And guess what? That confidence shows.

Even if you don’t get the job, you can walk away knowing you gave it your all—no regrets. And when you feel at peace with yourself, it’s so much easier to move forward, focus on the next opportunity, and bring your best to the table again.

Preparation isn’t just about landing the job—it’s about peace of mind.