How to Recover from a Bad First Impression in a Remote Job Interview

How to Recover from a Bad First Impression in a Remote Job InterviewHow to Recover from a Bad First Impression in a Remote Job InterviewYou go into a remote interview prepared to promote your excellent time management ability, tech prowess, and top-notch communication skills- only to discover you wrote down the wrong abflug time, your cell phone is out of juice, or the paper in front of you is a list of questions you wanted to ask a different employer. Is there any way to build back trust that youd be a competent telecommuter after a bad first impression?While making up for a bad first impression isnt easy, it can be done. By keeping your composure and rectifying matters quickly and politely, you demonstrate grace under pressure, problem-solving ability, and commitment to landing this job.Here are some suggestions on how to recover from a bad first impression in a remote job interviewApologize.Never underestimate the power of a heart-felt apology. Interviewers are human too and under stand that sometimes things just dont go as planned. But after issuing a genuine Im so sorry, dont dwell on your remorse. Instead, concentrate on fixing the situation.For instance, if your neighbor decides to mow his lawn near the room where youre in the middle of a video interview, try a statement such as, I usually put on my noise-cancelling headphones when Mr. Jones decides his grass needs cutting while Im working. Obviously, that isnt an option during an interview. Would you please excuse me for a moment while I move to a different room at the other end of the house?Or if youre in Arizona and accidentally forgot your interviewer operates on Eastern Standard Time, meaning you missed in the interview, call to apologize, own up to your error, and ask if the call could be rescheduled.Focus on the positive.Calling the interviewer by the wrong name, failing to know about a new product the company touts front and center on its website, or giving a lackluster answer because your mind ju st blanked arent going to score you any points. But dont assume game over.Instead, put effort into showing why youre the best candidate for the job. If you can move on from something negative, hopefully they can too.Make a memorable next impression.While important, a first impression is only the start of the story. Time still exists to change the ending.A strong follow-up could rectify your chances, says Tammy Perkins, chief people officer with Fjuri. If you didnt leave the right impression or gave a less than stellar answer, send a timely follow-up email showing your passion and enthusiasm. You wont know unless you try.Executive coach and career strategist Elizabeth Koraca suggests sending reference letters and testimonials. This adds additional credibility and will show that your interview performance was not the norm and not how you usually perform.And if you strongly feel circumstances were such that a do over would make a world of difference (such as you had the flu and were gr oggy), consider explaining what happened.Ask for a second chance and follow-up call so you can clarify your answers, Koraca says. Reiterate your excitement for the job and why you are the perfect fit. Remember, you dont get what you dont ask for, so ask for what you want. You have nothing to lose at this point.Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off