How do you end a bad interview?

Ending a bad interview gracefully is important because it helps you leave a positive impression, even if the interview didn't go as well as you'd hoped. Here’s how to handle the situation effectively:

1. Stay Positive and Professional

No matter how poorly you think the interview went, it's important to maintain a positive and professional attitude until the very end. This shows emotional maturity and professionalism, which can leave a good final impression.

• What to Say: “Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. I appreciate your time and the chance to learn more about the role and the company.”

2. Express Gratitude

Even if the interview didn’t go well, it’s important to express gratitude for the interviewer’s time and consideration. This helps leave the conversation on a polite and respectful note.

• What to Say: “I’m grateful for the chance to interview for this position, and I appreciate the insights you’ve shared about the team and the company.”

3. Reiterate Interest (If Genuine)

If you're still interested in the position despite feeling that the interview went poorly, you can politely reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. If you’re unsure or no longer interested, it’s better to stay neutral.

• What to Say: “I remain very interested in the role and believe I could contribute to the team. I look forward to the possibility of working together.”

4. Acknowledge Challenges Without Dwelling

If there were clear challenges during the interview, such as struggling with a question, it’s okay to acknowledge them briefly, but don’t dwell on them. You can even offer to follow up with more information later.

• What to Say: “I realize I didn’t fully explain my approach to that technical problem earlier, but I’d be happy to clarify or follow up with additional information if helpful.”

5. Ask About Next Steps

Before leaving or ending the call, ask what the next steps are in the interview process. This keeps the conversation forward-looking and shows that you’re still engaged.

• What to Say: “Can you share what the next steps in the hiring process will be, or when I might expect to hear back from you?”

6. Thank the Interviewer Again

End the interview by thanking the interviewer once more for their time. This shows appreciation and professionalism, regardless of how the interview went.

• What to Say: “Thank you again for your time today. I appreciate the opportunity to interview and look forward to hearing from you.”

7. Follow Up with a Thank-You Email

Regardless of how you feel the interview went, following up with a polite thank-you email can leave a positive final impression and shows professionalism. You can briefly reiterate your interest in the role, address any points you think didn’t go well, and thank them for their time.

• What to Write: "Thank you for taking the time to interview me today. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the role and your team. I remain interested in the position and am confident that I can contribute to the team. I look forward to hearing about the next steps."

How to End a Bad Interview:

1. Stay Positive and Professional: Avoid showing frustration or disappointment; stay composed.
2. Express Gratitude: Thank the interviewer for their time, regardless of the interview’s outcome.
3. Reiterate Interest (If Genuine): If you're still interested, make sure to let them know.
4. Acknowledge Challenges Briefly: If you struggled with something, offer to clarify but don’t dwell on it.
5. Ask About Next Steps: Inquire about the next steps in the process to show continued interest.
6. Thank the Interviewer Again: End on a polite note by thanking them once more.
7. Send a Thank-You Email: Follow up with a professional thank-you email, reinforcing your interest.

By handling the end of a bad interview with grace and professionalism, you can leave a better lasting impression, which may help you recover from a less-than-perfect performance.