Well, well, well...writing this blog, I like to think that I have honed my writing skills. Interviewing does to methodical oral expression what this blog does to your ink and feather handling skills. If you are offered the possibility of a late night interview via video link - don't take it.

a) you piss off half the multimedia support staff who needs to stay up with you until midnight and camp by the door for three hours just in case the equipment breaks down
b) Murphy isn't your friend but he's as sticky as a doughnut and the equipment will break down in the middle of the interview. Depending on how nasty he has decided to be, this will happen at a very inspiring moment, or at a tremendously difficult time for you
c) you get brain grilled for two hours struggling for your way in the midst of your reasoning dedalus and it is difficult to think in any rational way as the need for sleep advances
d) you will not have the 50 cents for the coffee, necessary support mechanism to help you keep your eyes open. Especially if you had to work on your Finance presentation until 3am the previous day.

In general, try to schedule them early to late afternoon (or morning, depending on which continent you will be dialoging with).

When asked about specific questions about strategy for a company - do not answer with a solution. Indicate your reasoning: what you are taking into consideration for your decision, how can you assess all of that? Who do you need to involve in the decision making process? What is the rationale for this decision, rather than jump to any kind of conclusions, based on your incomplete past knowledge of half the company.
When the person continues to ask questions and challenges everything that you say, do not panic, often times, he or she will be trying to help you; Build on what the person is saying, add more reflection elements, indicate pros and cons, highlight your experience if you can and try to ultimately conclude. If you really think that you are going in circle and are just thinking outloud with no noticeable framework (a bit like me today...), take a deep breathe, stop for a second and reframe your thoughts. Better to pause that to keep digging. Actually, in hindsight, I think that it is better to say: sorry, can I reframe this and offer you a diferent answer if you realize that you have a clearer way of conveying your answer than to continue down a long and winding road full of half explorations of quarter options with no concluding power.
Even if you think that you have done very badly, use the last minutes of the interview to work on the relationship. This impression is what will stick in the mind of the person. Show your understanding of their business, their situation and articulate your questions. Of course, it is easier to sound genuinely interested, when you are - and yes it is hard to keep a happy face when you think that you messed up most of the interview.

But let's take a cold look at the situation

Whatever you have messed up (and you don't know how bad you have done) is messed up. What more can you lose by being cool at the end? Now the person is going to also test you on how you deal with a difficult conversation and situation.
In your job, if you make a mistake, will you spend the whole day locked up in a room to cry over your destiny? If you mess up a meeting with anyone, will you keep your head up or bury yourself in a seat cushion and disappear under the door? Act in the interview, as you do in a job. People make mistakes. Responsible people assume theirs.
Show a positive behavior no matter what, remember you do NOT know how well or bad you have done. Be a fighter, not a person that looks back in the middle of action, engage until the last minute, try to recuperate any lost contact. You might not have done so well. It was late, you were a little stressed, upset by technical problems. You did not expect a certain type of questions? You can't answer? That's ok. Do not anticipate a result until you get it. Work until the last second of the interview. A race is over only when the results are announced. Then take a deep breathe and look at what you can do better. Move on.
After each interview - write down what you can improve: never make twice the same mistake.

I mean - an interview is like a negotiation. Two parties go in with interest and objectives and come out with a non-formulated decision or at least opinion/recommendation. Why did I not prepare this as a negotiation and work on my 7-elements?

What about a debrief that would look like
1- communication? well. clear, joyful, passionate. My usual self. Poorly at times because I did not organize my thoughts in a very clear framework. It was not really a case interview so I did not have the reflect...Mmmm. Process worked well: when the other party was not convinced, it would be clearly fed back to me, to give me a second chance to make an impact. What our dear CMS team told us is true: interviewers are no enemy. They have an interest in being persuaded that you are a good candidate for them - they want information from you. If they are not getting it, they can dig for it.
2- relationship? well - loads of common interest, common personalities and aspirations.
3- interests? well, open and complete sharing of interests
4- criteria? well-tested. Fried brain as I walk out. Mixed response...Not so satisfied. So not so well.
5- Options: mmm, not really. early.
6 - commitment: not at this stage but working toward a positive recommendation to take you to the next step should be a goal.
7- alternative? create as many other options if you can - It does not change your preference for a company and a given job. It makes you feel a little better...

Think framework framework framework. Take time to think think think. Announce the color of your card before you draw it. Ask for time to prepare for a couple of seconds if you are presented a reflection case, a situation...Make sure you understand the question. breathe in and breathe out. out out out, more than in in in. Prepare prepare prepare prepare. Answer every single question about yourself with one example that makes you super good for the job. Oh well...

Practice practice practice.
From now on, I am just going to step into a shop telling people about my weakness and how I overcome it, ride in a taxi and explain what I believe my best achievement is. why I did so well on that particular occasion and why this makes me super suitable for a given job - start a long litany about how I'd assess a divestiture opportunity in front of the cafeteria staff, stop the cleaners in the elevator to share with them my 2-minute pitch, walk up to any random professor and engage them on the subject of my mid-term professional goals. I have already been dumbed an international misfit, no reason why I can't become a social one too.

Regardless of how the interview went, it is nice to send a Thank You note. After all, someone has taken time off their busy work schedule to come and talk to you.

Hey, I wish I had read my blog earlier. Never mind. I guess it is kind of hard to step down from your bike to observe how well you can ride.