Volume 2: How To Recover from Job Search Blunders, According to Recruiters

Content drawn from our Ask Altis: Job Search Icks Edition guide for job seekers.

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Let’s face it — we’ve all had an interview mishap at some point. Whether it’s rambling too long, oversharing personal details or noticing an embarrassing clothing item in your video background, these moments happen.  

In fact, they’re so relatable, we get a lot of questions from candidates about how to recover from job search fails, fumbles and faux pas like these. So, we’ve gathered practical advice from our recruiters on handling these “icks” and tips to avoid them in the future.

Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing more of their top tips and recovery strategies in our blog series, How to Recover from Job Search Blunders, According to Recruiters. So, stay tuned!  

Here’s how to handle three of the most common interview gaffes like a pro.

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Interview TMI  

When it’s been a while since you last interviewed, sometimes you can feel a bit rusty and out of practice. If you’re nervous, you might start rambling to fill the silence, maybe talking about your favourite pasta recipe or your cat’s recent trip to the vet (cue the zoned-out look on your interviewer’s face).

While storytelling can be a great way to show your personality, encourage relatability and highlight your professional journey, wandering way off course can call into question your suitability for the role. The key is knowing how to recover and keeping it tighter next time.

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Fix it in the moment

Pause and pivot: If you catch yourself oversharing, take a breath and say something like this: “That was a bit of a tangent... let me bring it back to the role and how my skills align.”

Wrap it up smoothly: A simple, “Long story short, my experience with [relevant point] makes me excited about contributing to this role,” can help you refocus.

If you shared something too personal: Don’t draw more attention to it. Laugh it off with a lighthearted comment and move on confidently.

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Prevent this ick in the future

1. Keep answers brief and focused. Before your next interview, practise answering common questions in under two minutes. Record yourself, so you can see where to improve. Tip: Practise with ChatGPT or another AI program that offers voice mode.

2. Stick to professional stories. Unless the interviewer specifically asks about your personal life, stick to answers that are relevant to the job or your skills.

3. Read the room (even when it’s virtual). Be mindful of the interviewer’s body language and cues indicating they’re ready to move on to the next question. While silence can feel awkward, avoid filling every gap in the conversation. Let the interviewer be your guide.

“A little rambling won’t tank your interview. The key is getting things back on track smoothly.” — Shenikia Clarke, Senior Recruitment Partner, Altis

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When Your Zoom Background Betrays You

It’s happened to all of us. You prep your interview answers, pick out a professional outfit, log into Zoom 10 minutes early and then… you realize your video background has a rogue item. Yes, just off to the side, hanging from a chair is your bra. All you can think is, “I hope they don’t notice!”

Whether it’s an embarrassing clothing item, an accidental mute mishap or a pet with the sudden zoomies, these moments happen. The good news? They’re rarely as big a deal as they feel in the moment. After all, your interviewer is human, too. Here’s how to recover.

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Fix it in the moment

Stay calm: Acknowledge the ‘ick,’ try to correct it and move on. If it’s something obvious and fixable, a lighthearted comment can ease the tension.

Example:

“My apologies, I see my background needs some attention. One moment while I adjust it. [Turn your camera off, fix it and turn it back on.] That’s better! Now, where were we?”

If it’s something you said, don’t over-apologize: Politely correct yourself and keep going. Confidence in how you recover says a lot about how you handle stress.

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Prevent this ick in the future

1. Prepare ahead. Before a virtual interview, check your background, test your lighting and ensure your space is distraction-free.  

• Tip: Many public libraries offer quiet virtual interview rooms to reserve. For further tips on acing virtual interviews, see the suggestions on our blog.

2. Test your tech. Make sure Zoom/Teams, your mic and internet are all working. And be sure to install any software updates and restart your computer BEFORE the interview to avoid an unexpected shutdown.

3. Reframe the moment. Post-interview, instead of dwelling on your oops, remind yourself of what went well. Chances are the interviewer has already forgotten the slip-up!

“As Taylor Swift says, shake it off and keep going!” — Cassandra Kent, Senior Recruitment Partner, Altis

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Wardrobe Malfunctions and Other Mishaps

Job interviews can bring out some truly unexpected moments. Spilling water on yourself or your interviewer, not realizing you have food in your teeth and other awkward moments can make you feel so embarrassed you want to flee the scene as fast as possible.

When things go wrong in the heat of the moment, it’s completely normal to feel flustered. The best course of action is to stay calm, take a deep breath and remember that we're all human. Keep your focus on showcasing your skills and getting back into the flow of the conversation. Mistakes happen; it’s how you handle them that counts!

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Fix it in the moment

Address it with grace: Keep in mind, every interviewer wants to assess how you handle stressful situations, so this is actually your opportunity to shine! Instead of fleeing, acknowledge the ‘ick’ lightheartedly and move on.

Example:

You place your water bottle in your lap during the interview, and it leaks all over your pants, making it look like you’ve had an “accident.”

You could say, “Yikes, I must have forgotten to close my water bottle properly. Thankfully, no dry cleaning required!”

Follow up with a professional email: Send a well-written, prompt thank-you email to show you’re a confident candidate. Avoid drawing further attention to the embarrassing incident.

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Prevent this ick in the future

1. Do a quick pre-interview appearance check. Before heading into every interview — virtual or in person — give your appearance a quick once-over (i.e., your outfit looks polished, there are no remnants from breakfast or lunch in sight etc.)

2. Shift your perspective. Instead of dwelling on the embarrassment, remind yourself of what went well. At the end of the day, small hiccups won’t make or break your chances. How you handle them will.

“Everyone — including your interviewer — has had mishaps throughout their career.” Sepehr Safi, Recruitment Partner, Altis

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Want advice on your worst job search ick?

Ask Altis! Submit your job search fails, flubs and faux pas to candidatecommunity@altis.com or by filling out the anonymous form here. Your ick could be featured in our next guide!

Now that you know how to avoid the biggest interview icks, you can confidently apply to open roles and ace your next interview. Browse available opportunities on our Job Portal.