Interviews can be nerve-wracking, and sometimes things don’t go as smoothly as we’d like. From awkward silences to answering questions completely wrong, we’ve all experienced those cringe-worthy moments that make us want to crawl under the nearest desk. The good news is that these situations are recoverable, and we’ve gathered stories from real candidates who have lived through them.
The classic name mix-up
One of the most common—and embarrassing—mistakes candidates make is getting the interviewer’s name wrong. Maria, who now works as a receptionist, recalled, “I was so nervous that I called the interviewer by the wrong name not once, but twice. I could feel my face going bright red!”
How to overcome it: If you realise you’ve made this mistake, apologise immediately with a smile. A little humour can also help. “I quickly said, ‘I’m so sorry, I think my nerves are showing!’ and thankfully, the interviewer laughed it off,” Maria explained. The key is not to let it fluster you for the rest of the interview.
The brain freeze
Ever been asked a question and your mind goes completely blank? You’re not alone. Justin, who now works in a finance role, shared his experience: “I was asked about my knowledge of Excel, and I just froze. I use it every day and consider myself a bit of a whizz, but at that moment, I couldn’t remember anything about it!”
How to overcome it: If your mind goes blank, take a deep breath. Don’t be afraid to ask for a moment to gather your thoughts. “I admitted that I was nervous and asked if I could take a moment to think,” Justin said. “It bought me some time, and I eventually remembered a great example.” Interviewers understand that nerves can affect your memory, so don’t panic.
The over-share
We’ve all heard the advice to be honest in interviews, but sometimes candidates take this too far. Petra, who works as a PA, laughed as she recalled, “When asked why I left my last job, I started talking about all the problems with my previous manager. About halfway through, I realised I was venting, not answering the question!”
How to overcome it: If you find yourself sharing too much information, reign it in quickly. “I stopped and said, ‘I’m sorry, I’ve gone off track. Let me explain more clearly,’ and focused on the skills I developed in that role instead,” Petra said. Stick to professional reasons for leaving a job, and avoid speaking negatively about previous employers.
The awkward silence
Sonya, who works as a data entry clerk, had one of those awkward moments when her answer fell flat. “I finished answering a question, and there was just silence. I wasn’t sure if I’d said the wrong thing or if they were waiting for more.”
How to overcome it: Don’t feel pressured to fill the silence with more talking. Sometimes interviewers are just making notes or considering your answer. “I kept my composure and waited,” Sonya said. “After a few seconds, they smiled and moved on to the next question.” If the silence feels uncomfortable, you can ask, “Would you like me to elaborate on that?” to show you’re willing to explain further.
The wardrobe malfunction
Finally, we’ve all had those moments when our appearance doesn’t quite hold up under the pressure of the interview. Theo, who works as a paralegal, recalled, “Halfway through the interview, I realised I had a massive coffee stain on my shirt. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed it earlier!”
How to overcome it: “I decided to address it directly,” Tom said. “I made a joke about needing a new coffee cup and moved on.” A little self-deprecating humour can work wonders in diffusing an awkward situation. The key is to stay calm and not let it throw you off your game.
Let’s get you to interview
As a recruitment agency in London, you can bet we’ve seen and heard about more embarrassing interview stories than you could shake a stick at! But we can help you recover and secure the job you’re after. Register as a candidate now.