Interviewing: It’s Not A Fit, What Do I Do?

Not all interviews or meetings are going to go swimmingly. Sometimes, based on a personal, technical, or behavioral misalignment, a person may realize that it is not a good fit. And guess what, THAT IS OKAY! Not everyone is going to absolutely fall in love with a company, nor is a hiring manager going to see every person they meet as a long-term match for their company. Why? Because both the company and the person will always have their own values for what they are looking for, and those values might not always align.

However, the most important thing to do if you realize that it is not a fit is to leave the best impression possible. Never give up on an interview half-way through because you know you are not going to work at this particular company. An MLB pitcher wouldn’t give up in the 9th inning when his team is down by 10 points. If a baker were to run out of vanilla extract while making cookies, they would improvise—maybe grabbing maple syrup or almond extract instead—but they would not stop baking. The leading actress of a Broadway play would not quit in the middle of a production if she stumbled a line or two. Why? Because they all know the importance of making a good impression, even when something does not go as planned. And it is better to see something through, rather than giving up.

Like the pitcher, the baker, and the actress, you should never give up as an interviewee/interviewer. Even if you know a company or candidate is not the right fit for you, you should always leave them with the best impression possible. Below are a few key things that one should and should not do during an interview if you realize it is not a good fit:

What NOT to do as an interviewer:

•     Interrogate the candidate
•     Talk down to or patronize a candidate for not being what you are looking for
•     Ask inappropriate questions about the candidate and their work history

What NOT to do as an interviewee:

•     Lack enthusiasm or interest
•     Have a defensive attitude
•     Not give your all

What TO do as an interviewer/interviewee:

•     Always remain respectful of the other person’s time
•     Be intentional with your interactions
•     Remain interested in understanding a person or company
•     Ask open-ended questions
•     Answer questions to the best of your knowledge//with your best foot forward

For more tips on how to make such a positive impression, check out a designforce blog.

The relationship you form with a person during an interview can be impactful at a later point in your life, even if you don’t hire a particular candidate or accept a particular offer. An interview is a launching point for connecting you to a candidate or a company, and for adding a valuable person to your growing network. You never know how a person might affect your career down the line, so always use an interview as a chance for your own personal growth and development, even if it’s not the perfect fit.