“There is no such thing as a bad interview.”

This is something that my dad has been saying to me since I can remember. I had an interview when I was younger, and it went terribly. And he hit me with this golden nugget and a piece of life advice that I will never forget.

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Interviewing has always been one of my strengths. Something that I am well aware of. And yes, I have been nervous and have had the shakes during interviews, but I do walk into an interview with a “fake it ‘til you make it” mentality. NOT FAKE that I can do the job, but for the duration of that interview, STAND OUT!!!! Make sure I am memorable. Be outgoing, practice active listening, think before answering the question and ensure that I ask the right questions to the interviewer. In saying this, I have also not gotten the job many times but I have walked away having learnt something new.

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I have a dear friend who applied for the cruise ships before I did, she and I went on different paths once we left school. I went straight into the working world while she went on to study full time. After she graduated, she applied for the cruise ships before I did (different ships/positions). Unfortunately, her nervousness led to an unsuccessful interview. By contract, I had a full-time position, had experience interviewing and was offered a position with the cruise line. I truly believe what made me stand out was my fake confidence. When the hiring manager asked me if there’s anything else I would like to add. I told him that I will see him again, if it’s not in person, it will be in an interview again because I will not give up until I get the job.

I got the job and went on to have a great Cruise ship photography career.

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But the best advice I can give to job seekers now, is to find a way to stand out and to prepare for every interview you go to. Even if you don't get the job, the interview experience can lead to other opportunities. Maintaining a positive attitude and leaving a lasting impression can keep you in the employer's mind for future roles or referrals.

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“There is no such thing as a bad interview” because every single interview teaches you something AND makes you a bit more confident in your interviewing ability.

Even if it doesn't go as well as planned, you can gain insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Reflecting on what went wrong can help you grow and perform better in future interviews.

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By viewing interviews as valuable learning experiences and opportunities for growth, you can approach them with a more positive mindset and leverage each one to enhance your skills and career prospects.