Prompts › Serious advice

How to reply to “I didn't get the job. I really thought I had it.”

A friend texts you late at night after a final-round interview.
Editor's promptI didn't get the job. I really thought I had it.
How would you reply? Posting replies and voting open soon (sign-in is being set up). Until then, learn the techniques from the team examples and the playbook.
Learn the techniques

Examples from the team

Sample replies written by the site team. They are not voted on and never appear in rankings.

I'm so sorry. Making the final round says a lot about you. Want to talk, or want a distraction?
Team example Validate first Ask back
That really hurts. No need to reply tonight. I'm here tomorrow too.
Team example Leave space

Related playbook entries

Serious advice · Validate first
“I didn't get the job. I really thought I had it.”
Serious advice · Leave space
“I don't really want to talk about it.”
Serious advice · Validate first
“I felt left out when you all made plans without me.”