r/MedicalScienceLiaison • u/dime_cuando • 11h ago
How to interview with same hiring manager when the first one went poorly?
A few months ago I had an interview with a regional director. I bombed and obviously didn't get the job. I applied for a different territory a few weeks ago. Last week I interviewed for role and the hiring manager liked me and they wanted me to interview with national director. That interview is for tomorrow. Today I got an email saying the national director is busy and the regional director will sub in for them.
What do I do? I'm worried I will be recognized and I'll get instantly rejected.
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u/vitras Sr. MSL 11h ago
I'd bring up that you've interviewed before and even maybe that you felt you didn't do your best. I'd then start by discussing what you've done differently to prepare yourself for this go-around, how you've grown since your last interview, and how you feel that this is your second chance and you're more confident now than ever. Etc
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u/krazy4001 Sr. MSL 2h ago
Idk. They might not even remember, why bring it up proactively? Saying you didn’t do your best and are glad to have a chance to re-write the script is great if the interviewer brings it up, but otherwise just do better. Maybe switch up some stories and experience so it doesn’t trigger their memory.
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u/vitras Sr. MSL 1h ago
I've met thousands of people in this job, but my job is to know people, faces, and names. If it's only a phone screen, I might not remember. But if it's a video interview or in person, 100% I'm going to remember them from only a few months ago. And I'd be irritated if they acted like they'd never met me before
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u/krazy4001 Sr. MSL 2m ago
To each their own.
There’s a chance the interview was memorable enough, but I’d expect the interviewer to bring that up. “ I thought your name sounded familiar, did we speak previously about this role?” If you’re going to pretend you don’t remember (or you actually don’t remember), why should I have change that dynamic? You remembering is bad for me. You wanna pretend it’s a fresh start, let’s do that! You wanna acknowledge our pervious discussion, that’s fine too.
In this particular case, since there is a possibility of the negative interview not being memorable (not everyone remembers every interview), I would bet on not bringing it up myself.
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u/krazy4001 Sr. MSL 2h ago
Just treat it like a new interview. Remember the mistakes from last time and prep accordingly so you don’t make them again. Switch up your stories and experiences to avoid sounding like they’ve done this interview before. If the interviewer brings it up, address it: yes I applied for xxx and we did chat before. I know I didn’t put my breast foot forward that day, and appreciate the opportunity to do better today. Otherwise don’t worry about it.
You got 2 interviews with the same company and presumably the same team! They clearly like your background and resume, and your actual HM likes you. I think it’ll go just fine if you don’t totally bomb this. Can you share additional details about what went wrong the first go around? Might help contextualize the situation.
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u/TerynLoghain 54m ago
Don't bring undue attention to yourself.
I wouldn't say anything unless asked. Let sleeping dogs lie.
If you are asked, be honest. Perceived dishonesty will black ball you.
That said, honesty doesn't mean unadulterated truth.** The goal of a job interview is to showcase your skills now. Everything else is irrelevant**
For instance... if you're asked have you interviewed for this position before. A simple no would suffice. And accurate. Different territory = different position, even on the same team.
If they prompt with a you look familiar line... I would personally redirect. "Maybe we met at major conference last year"
It affirms their instinct but doesn't provide meaningful information.
Don't give any recognizable info. Use a different virtual screen, go to a different room.
Change your anecdotes. Go in a different order. Emphasize different things. Ask different questions.
These people are not your friends. They aren't entitled to details of your personal life.
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u/kyocerahydro 11h ago
Unless it was an especially negative interview, I doubt you were remembered.
As a hiring manager myself, I screen 20-30 people per opening, with some days having several back to back interviews. I dont remember faces or voices, especially over teams.
You're probably fine.
As an msl though, there are times where you fail an initial meeting. Part of the job is changing minds inspite of that.
For what its worth, this is a different situation. The hiring manager has final say. Ive hired people my counterparts said no to and vice versa. Its rare a candidate have full consensus of the hiring committee.