Don’t allow yourself to fumble an interview question that can affect your chances of getting hired.
Struggling with an interview question is normal, especially if you have a tendency to feel nervous. However, this shouldn’t discourage you in the moment.
Here are some tips to help you recover and gain extra points during the interview:
1. Get Back on Your Game ASAP
If you’ve told a bad joke or made a negative remark, make sure to recover quickly from it. You don’t want to dwell on your mistake—It can make the interview go south. You can instead own an awkward answer with a smile and move on. Chances are, your interviewer may not be thinking about it at all!
2. Pause
There is nothing wrong with taking a little extra time to organize your thoughts. You can always take a needed pause to gather the necessary information in your head and formulate your honest, natural answer. Feel free to communicate to the interviewer that you need a minute to consider the question.
3. Be Honest
Never (ever) fabricate things about yourself, especially your educational background or skill set, as this can force you into a series of lies during the interview. It’s always best to be honest instead of exaggerating. Thanks to modern technology, companies can now easily discover specific aspects of your history or run a background check as soon as you have signed your application. If you choose not to tell the truth, sooner or later, the skeletons in the closet will be out for everyone to see, and you’ll likely lose your opportunity.
4. Stay Focused When Negotiating
This is important, especially when you are talking about your salary. Learn how to play your cards when it comes to salary requirements. Make sure you have done your research on how much an average employee makes for the position you are applying for. Don’t be shy in asking for a higher salary if you think the company is lowballing you.
