Unfortunately, overanalysing interviews usually comes with the territory…
But reading into every single detail and convincing yourself it didn’t go well doesn’t have to be the process you follow every time. Adjusting your mindset could be the best way to deal with interview stress, and help keep your anxieties at bay after the big day.
To make sure you’re not misreading the situation, here are seven signs you’re overthinking you’re interview (and how to stop):
You’re overanalysing your wording
Newsflash: words aren’t everything.
It can be all too easy to spend the aftermath of your interview overthinking the way you articulated your answers, but trust us. In 99% of cases, they probably weren’t expressed anywhere near as badly as you’re remembering them.
And, as long as you got the overall point across, it’s doubtful that the interviewer will immediately dismiss your application over a slightly flimsy answer about spreadsheets.
Because being prepared, well-informed, and sure of your abilities is far more important than the way you word an answer.
You’re worried about how short your interview was
As much as it might seem like it, an interview running short doesn’t necessarily mean bad news.
It might just mean that your prospective employer has gathered all the information they need about you within a short space of time – which could actually turn out to be a really positive sign.
Also, as they’ve already seen your CV and know what you’re capable of, an interview is often more of a test of character. And with your interviewer’s time often at a premium, their decision to keep things short and sweet most likely won’t be any reflection of your performance whatsoever.
You’re reading between the lines
If you leave an interview trying to decipher hidden messages you’re convinced the interviewer was subtly trying to say – you’re probably overthinking the situation.
For example, just because they said they have a few more candidates to interview, that doesn’t mean they aren’t impressed. In most cases, the questions or remarks an interviewer makes aren’t intended to be negative – and they’re probably just trying to keep you informed.
So instead of trying to read between the lines, always attempt to take the situation at face value.
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You’re jumping to conclusions
Whether it’s assuming you’ve been rejected, or thinking you’ve got the job, you should always try not to jump to any set-in-stone conclusions after an interview.
Not only will it risk disappointment if the decision isn’t what you expected, it could also mean you lose out on the job if you’ve dismissed it too soon. So, always keep an open mind, and you’ll leave yourself with the most possible options for any situation.
This means not giving up on your search, but not giving up on the job you interviewed for either. Remember: interview patience is a virtue…
You can’t see the positives
Although you shouldn’t forget all about an interview after it’s over, you also shouldn’t let it take over your life.
If you’re dwelling on things you might’ve done wrong, or being overly negative because you’re not convinced you made the right impression, you’ll only be making things worse for any interviews you have coming up – not to mention wasting an opportunity to learn and grow.
Instead of beating yourself up, learn from your mistakes, and be constructive with your self-criticism. Just because the glass is half-full for your last interview, it doesn’t mean it can’t be refilled.
You can’t let the little things go
Whether it’s that you thought you talked too much, you didn’t talk enough, or your handshake wasn’t as firm it could’ve been, the little things just aren’t worth stressing about in the long run.
The interview’s over, and you can’t turn back time to change anything now – so why worry? Instead, direct your energy onto writing a follow-up email, work on your interview technique for next time, and put all of that positive energy back in to your job search.
After all, the interviewer probably isn’t going to remember any tiny slip-ups you’ve undoubtedly escalated in your mind. So why should you?
You’re stressing about next steps
If you haven’t been given an idea of what the next steps are after your interview, it doesn’t mean you need to go into panic-mode.
Leaving on a note like ‘we’re still working on next steps’ or ‘we’ll let you know when we know more’ can often make you feel slightly unsure of where you stand. But in most cases, the interviewer is genuinely being honest with you – next steps can’t always be decided there and then.
Always end your interview by asking when you’re likely to hear back (and follow-up afterwards) – then you can take comfort in the knowledge that the ball will well and truly be in their court.
Still unsure of how to put your post-interview worry to rest? Here’s our useful guide on what to do after a job interview
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