Have you ever had anything go wrong in an interview? 

What did you do? 

Many job seekers try to ignore, some apologize and still others recoup with an ad-lib.  Ad-libbing is a great way to respond to interruptions, distractions or to break the ice with a little humor.  And, if you have a sharp wit, you may be able to help your cause in an interview.  Bad ad-libs, however, can hurt your chances in interviews - and of landing jobs.

The thing is, every interview answer is ad-libbed.  Since most prepare (or should prepare) their answers to stock interview answers, it only makes sense to practice non-answer ad-libs.

"Practice ad-libs?!?" I can hear you ask.  "Aren't ad-libs supposed to be spontaneous and impromptu?"

Yes and no.  Yes, they should seem like they're impromptu, but no, they should not come off the top of your head - unless you've trained for it.  How do you train to be a master at spontaneous witticisms?  Study the masters: Red Skelton, Robin Williams and even Milton Berle.  Another tremendous way to hone your ad-libbing skills is by joining a Toastmasters Club.  At every Toastmasters meeting, there's a segment called "Table Topics," in which you don't know the question being asked (nor whom will be called upon to answer) until it is asked.

But if you're not trained to ad-lib, how do you prepare and practice them for your interviews?

Simple.  What follows below are some of the most common interruptions, distractions and other things that can go wrong in interviews.  Read them and brainstorm on the best ways to react.  Then practice your new ad-libs until you can't get them wrong.

• The hiring manager's phone rings.
• The hiring manager's cell phone rings.
• Your cell phone rings.
• The secretary or office manager opens the door and interrupts.
• One of you dribbles coffee on your shirt or the desk.
• You have a Freudian slip.
• The hiring manager  has a Freudian slip.
• You forget a pen and need to write something down.
• You unexpectedly know someone in common.
• You show up early or late for the interview.
• The hiring manager forgot s/he had an interview scheduled.
• The hiring manager is running late.

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