You’ve prepped, practiced, and put on your best blazer. But within minutes of walking into your job interview, something feels off. The energy is flat, the conversation stilted, or the interviewer seems distracted.
Bad chemistry happens. The good news is that while you can’t control the interviewer’s mood, you can control how you show up. How you handle these moments says as much about your professionalism and resilience as your resume does.
During my 18 years as an executive at Google and now running my own business, I have interviewed hundreds of candidates. Some stumbled when the energy dipped. Others handled the awkwardness with calm, confidence, and adaptability. Those were the people who stood out.
Here are four key ways to handle bad chemistry in a job interview, without losing your footing.
DON’T MISS: The ultimate guide to acing your interview and landing your dream job
