How do I recover from a bad interview?

The follow-up email window. Within 24 hours of the interview is the right window — long enough to reflect, short enough to still be relevant to the decision. Past 48 hours the decision is usually made.

What to include. Three short paragraphs. First, brief thanks for the time. Second, acknowledge specifically what didn't land — name it, don't pretend it didn't happen. Third, the answer you wish you'd given. Aim for 150-200 words total.

What it can do. Strong follow-ups reverse outcomes about 15-25% of the time when the panel was on the fence. They almost never reverse clear rejections. The realistic expectation: improve the panel's lasting impression, not flip the decision.

What not to include. Don't grovel. Don't list everything that went wrong. Don't make excuses (illness, stress, traffic). Don't ask for another chance — propose the better answer and let the panel decide. Don't send if the interview was 3+ days ago.

After sending. Move on. Continue interviewing elsewhere. Treat any positive response as bonus, not expectation. The candidates who do best post-interview don't agonise — they treat each interview as one data point and keep applying.