The failed interview: If you can't get the job, at least gain some knowledge

Q: The interview didn't work out. The manager told you she's not interested in hiring you. Bummer. What should you do?

Nick's reply: Few people are experts in their fields. There is always someone else whose knowledge or point of view may be helpful to us. The person who interviews you can likely add something valuable to your understanding about yourself, your work or your profession.

When an interview ends and it is clear that you are not going to be hired, take something useful away from it.

The interviewer is not your opponent, and she is certainly not your boss if she hasn't made you a job offer. She is not your judge and jury. She is someone trying to get a job done. The two of you have a lot in common. Act like you understand that, and you will experience a shift in the conversation.

Acknowledge that the interview is over. You're not getting the job. Make it easy for the manager to shift to another topic without making her feel you are still trying to convince her to hire you.

Thank the interviewer for her time and frankness. Then ask one or more of the questions below. Listen to the answers carefully. Don't talk anymore. Let her talk.

Start with the question, "Can you give me some advice?" People love to give advice. Continue with one or more of the following, depending on how cooperative the interviewer is.

-- I know that a person's skills and his attitude about his work determine how good a job he can do. What do you think I need to work on?

-- Could you please tell me what I need to learn to qualify for this job, if I were to apply for it again next year?

-- If I were working for you, and you were firing me right now, what advice would you give me? (This is a particularly startling question that can yield very frank and useful comments.)

-- Knowing what you know about me, if someone called you and asked you to give me a reference, no holds barred, what would you tell them?

You may be surprised at the advice. You might not like all that you hear, but think about it carefully. After the interview, whether you agree with the comments or not, write them down as accurately as you can. Put them away. Take your notes out in a few days and review them. What do you think? Is there anything about your interview approach that you should change?

Now I'll offer you a bonus that you can give to the interviewer: If you can, recommend someone else for the position -- someone you think could do a good job. It tells the manager that you're thinking of her needs, not just yours. That courtesy may earn you another interview for another job in the future.

Copyright 2009. Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate

Nick Corcodilos is author of "Ask The Headhunter: Reinventing the Interview to Win the Job" and the host of www.asktheheadhunter.com. He can be reached by e-mail at seattle@asktheheadhunter.com or at North Bridge Group, P.O. Box 600, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Sorry, no personal replies.