Failure at Job Interviews should not trigger Negative Thoughts

Coming out of the interview room after an unsuccessful interview that had twisted questions, long pauses, and controversial answers – it is normal to feel that you have let yourself down and buried your parents’ expectations. However, triggered by negative thoughts, it is not normal to feel you are not capable of doing better. Negative thoughts that linger around your brain shouting you will never be able to give a successful interview. An interview room is not a graveyard where it all ends.

Think interview as a Cumulonimbus (thunderheads or thundercloud) cloud, which generally changes to rainfall. But somehow wind blows up everything. You will be able to relate it to an interview in which you gave your best shot and still got rejected.

You won’t feel bad with wind and chilly weather without rain. Then why have negative thoughts about an interview where you presented yourself with a cent percent precision and luck stabbed you?

I once had an acquaintance who gave 19 interviews in top-notch companies. He is a brilliant student and a genius in counter-conditioning. He got opportunities to work in world-famous IT MNCs. Though not the ones he was looking for. Despite adverse conditions, he stayed positive and did not accumulate any negative thoughts. Eventually, his determination and hunger for success made him reach the milestones in his 20th or 21st interview.

How you should prepare yourself for an interview five minutes before the commencement?

You need to take interviews lightly and be best prepared. You will have thoughts like – what to do if I flunk. You cannot control thoughts. What you can do is channelize your thoughts into good ones. Like having a good conversation with the interviewer or thinking about questions you solved before heading for the interview. Also, think about staying active and prompt during the interview.

You should take a sip or two of water before asking the interviewers - May I come in.

An hour after interview…

You have given your best and you are waiting for the final results. Irrespective of the interview results, this is the time when you should prepare yourself to stay calm and composed.

At the time of checking the final list of candidates that got hired, you find the list does not contain your name. Suddenly, all your morals disappear and you shrink away from the crowd to think what went wrong. It is a natural tendency to do so. However, you will stay motivated if you don’t think what went wrong. Instead, focus on what more you could do to improve yourself.

Motivation is the biggest factor of the lot to stay focused in the process and activities required to successfully crack an interview.

Have you ever read or seen any legendary cricket player that gave up preparation after repeated failures? Have you heard any good football players that did not participate in matches after heavy defeats? Probably you never have had. Their desire to win grows more with failures.

How to stay curb away negative thoughts?

Watch motivational videos during breaks from preparation and read books and biographies of successful people who made their way to achieve big when everyone gave up on them. Negative thoughts are junk thoughts and it will make you slow – like a computer that becomes irresponsive when too many junk files get stored.

It easy to have negative thoughts, but it is tough to have positive thoughts during negative hours. Indeed it’s a hard task, indeed it can also be achieved if you come out of your cocoon. All the best!