Interview nightmares happen more often than you’d think, and they can derail even the most qualified candidates. Proper interview preparation is the difference between disaster and success. From showing up to the wrong location to technical meltdowns during virtual interviews, small oversights can cost you big opportunities. The good news? Most interview disasters are completely preventable with solid interview preparation and a backup plan.
Whether you’re interviewing virtually or in person, knowing what to expect and how to handle the unexpected separates confident candidates from flustered ones. This guide covers the essential preparation steps that ensure you show up ready, polished, and prepared to handle anything that comes your way.
Confirm Format and Logistics: Don’t Assume Anything
The most basic step is often the most overlooked: confirming whether your interview is in-person or virtual, especially in today’s hybrid work environment. Anna Kim, a Leasing Consultant at The Heights at Ridgewalk Apartments, learned this the hard way when she assumed her interview was virtual based on email correspondence. On interview day, she called the office only to discover it was in-person and she was an hour away. Fortunately, she was dressed professionally “just in case” and made it work, but it was a stressful start that could have been avoided. These kinds of interview nightmares are completely preventable with one simple step: confirmation. Want to hear more stories like Anna’s? Check out the MSB Resources YouTube channel for real insights from multifamily professionals or watch her full story HERE.
For in-person interviews, verify the complete address, suite number, parking instructions, building security procedures, and who to ask for when you arrive. For virtual interviews, confirm the platform (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet), get the meeting link and passcode, and double-check the time zone to avoid showing up an hour early or late.
Pro Tip: Send a confirmation email 24 hours before the interview, recapping all the logistics. It gives the employer a chance to correct any misunderstandings and shows you’re detail-oriented.
Set Up Your Virtual Interview Space Like a Pro
Your virtual interview environment speaks volumes about your professionalism before you even say a word. In fact, about a third of recruiters decide whether they will hire a candidate within the first 90 seconds of the interview, so your setup matters more than you might think. Clear your frame by removing clutter, piles of papers, mirrors, and anything displaying political views or anything negative that could distract or bias the interviewer. Keep pets and other people out of the room, and test your chair to make sure it doesn’t squeak, since distracting noises can pull focus from what you’re saying.
Position lighting in front of you to illuminate your face, set your camera at eye level (not looking up or down), and remember to look into the lens when speaking, not at yourself on the screen. These small adjustments make a big difference in how professional and engaged you appear.
Pro Tip: Do a room sweep 15 minutes before your interview. Look at what’s in your camera frame and ask yourself, “Would I want a potential employer seeing this?”
Technical Setup: Sound, Lighting, and Screen Share
Your technical setup can make or break a virtual interview, so start by choosing a quiet space or using headphones with a microphone to ensure clear audio. Mute all notifications on your computer and phone, then do a quick clap test in your space to check for echo. If you hear one, add soft materials like pillows or blankets to absorb sound. Planning to screen share during the interview? Practice screen-sharing beforehand by closing all unnecessary tabs, organizing your desktop to show only relevant files, and turning on Do Not Disturb mode.
Test your internet connection and have a backup plan ready, whether that’s a mobile hotspot or a phone number to call if your connection drops. Technical interview nightmares are more common than you might think, 62% of candidates have experienced some form of technical difficulty during a virtual interview, from poor internet connection to sound glitches. A backup plan isn’t just smart, it’s essential.
Pro Tip: Keep a glass of water nearby but off-camera. A dry mouth mid-interview can throw off your delivery, and having water within reach shows you’ve thought ahead.
Do a Dry Run: Practice Prevents Panic
Doing a five-minute test run on the actual interview platform with a friend can reveal issues you’d never catch on your own. Verify that your display name and profile photo are professional, and test your microphone, camera, and screen share functionality. Make sure all devices are fully charged, your video conferencing app is updated to the latest version, and you have a fallback phone number in case technology fails.
Practicing in the actual environment you’ll use builds confidence and helps you focus on the conversation rather than fumbling with technology. When you know your setup works flawlessly, you can dedicate your mental energy to what really matters: showcasing your skills and connecting with your interviewer.
Pro Tip: If you’re interviewing on a platform you’ve never used before, join a public test room or create a practice meeting to familiarize yourself with the interface.
When Real Life Crashes Your Interview: Roll With It
Even with perfect preparation, unexpected things happen: dogs get sick, kids burst in, the internet crashes, or you get caught in traffic. The key is to own it, stay calm, and show grace under pressure rather than pretending nothing happened or spiraling into panic. If something goes wrong, acknowledge it briefly, share what’s happening, and pivot forward professionally.
Tara Samuels, SVP of Strategic Partnerships at MSB Resources, experienced this firsthand during one of her own interviews. Two minutes in, her dog started getting sick on her new white comforter. She smiled and said, “Real life moment: my dog is throwing up next to me. I’m going to mute, check on him, and be right back.” She muted, handled it, came back in about 30 seconds, thanked them for their grace, and pivoted with: “If nothing else, you just saw how I handle pressure: calm, clear, moving forward.” She got the job, though the comforter didn’t survive.
How you handle the unexpected reveals more about your character and problem-solving skills than a perfectly scripted answer ever could. Employees who struggle with adaptability are 70% more likely to experience performance problems when faced with organizational change, which means employers highly value candidates who can demonstrate grace under pressure during interviews.
Final Thoughts: Your Interview Success Starts Here
Interview nightmares don’t have to happen to you, and when they do, you can handle them with professionalism and grace. The key to interview success isn’t just knowing the correct answers. It’s being prepared for anything that comes your way. Remember: confirm every detail and never assume you know the format, time, or location without explicit confirmation. Control what you can by testing your technology, preparing your space, and doing a dry run so the controllable elements are flawless. Stay human when the unexpected happens, and own it with honesty and calm confidence.
Preparation equals confidence. The more you prepare, the more you can focus on showcasing your skills rather than worrying about logistics. Ready to land your next role in multifamily? MSB Resources connects top talent with leading property management companies. Let us help you find the perfect fit.