How to Make Any Job Interview Pay Off

 It can be frustrating when you interview for a job and then aren't offered the position.

"What a waste of time," you think.

But it doesn't have to be.

That's because you can always learn from every interview, and taking the time after meeting with a hiring manager to sort of "debrief" yourself can provide valuable insight so that the next interview could be the one to nab you a job.

After every interview, take the time to think about:

• What kind of questions were asked? Did the interviewer seem to have prepared questions that came from a form? Did the hiring manager question you about your personal thoughts and attitudes? How well did you do when highlighting your best traits? 
• Did the interviewer focus on past jobs? How well did you explain the skills you used in each position or how you made a bottom-line difference for that organization?
• Were you questioned repeatedly about certain weaknesses? Did you quickly redirect the conversation so that it focused on your strengths? 
• Was the interviewer off-topic? Did the interviewer ask random questions? Were you still able to highlight your strengths or were you taken so off guard you didn't get to talk about key abilities?
• Were you so comfortable with the interviewer it was like talking with an old friend? Could you have revealed too much personal information in that chat?
• What might you have said that could work against you? Did you say anything that would be inconsistent with the organization's culture?  

No interview should be a waste of your time if you look at it as a learning experience. Honing your ability to promote yourself and your abilities is important in a job interview, but also throughout your career. So always look at an interview as a chance to grow skills that will pay off in the long term.