Interpreting the Interviewer Styles
Hiring people is not an easy task. An interviewer may have to act as a subject expert and a psychologist (behavior expert) at the same time.
They try all kinds of different tactics for interviews. An interviwee could be subjected to a veritable stress test, just to see how you react. Or the interviewer just might be as nervous as you are. In any case, anticipating these various styles and knowing how to deal with them can help you ace even the worst interview situation.
Let’s list a few ‘interviewer types’ here -
1. Nice and Open
By being open and nice, the interviewer is putting you at ease and getting your guard down. So don’t be fooled by it. In fact, she is evaluating everything you say. Candidates will reveal more than they ever intended in a relaxed atmosphere. Ever come out of an interview convinced you’re hired because you “really connected” - only to be shocked when you didn’t get the job? You got taken in by the Friendly Style.
How to handle it: Don’t get too comfortable. Stay on your toes and keep your goals in mind.
2. Withdrawn and bored
The interviewer is somewhere else but with you. You could be his fourth interview of the day, or coming in just after lunch when productivity lags. Everything says he’s just not into you (yawn.) But be careful; don’t mistake an introvert for boredom.
How to handle it: Be concise and get to the point. Show your own enthusiasm for the job. Ask him about himself. People like to talk about themselves, and this could draw him into your conversation.
3. Nervous and Uncomfortable
This is not an act! Not all hiring managers are smooth and polished. They can be intimidated by the interview process as well. If he tends to ramble on about the job and forget to ask questions, he’s stumbling through it. Likewise, his questions may be very terse and limited.
How to handle it: Take the lead. Offer to tell him about your experience and skills. Be proactive with your questions. Ask him what he did or didn’t like about the last person in the job, or what his expectations are going forward.
4. Grumpy and Skeptic
Everything about her manner is reserved and distant. Arms crossed, she doesn’t seem to believe anything you’re saying. Why? She’s expecting you to sell her on your abilities.
How to handle it: Drop the touchy-feely answers and use solid examples of your past accomplishments. Maintain your good humor and self-confidence - remember, she’s doing it on purpose to rattle you.
5. Going by the process
She has her list of questions and she’s sticking to them no matter what. She might be using her prepared questions to hide her own introverted nature. Her position in the company can give a clue as to her motive. For example, if she’s from the HR department or someone’s assistant, she’s running you through the screening process. A manager who uses this tactic is a process-driven person, methodical in everything she does.
How to handle it: Answer questions fully. Expand your answers to include good examples, but don’t ramble on. This is an efficient person and expects people to get to the point. Stay on her agenda and let her follow her methodology.
6. Weird questions
Not too long ago, an interviewing fad hit the internet: throw bizarre questions at candidates to see how they think. “How many quarters does it take to reach the top of the Empire State Building?” “If you lined up hamsters nose to tail, how many would it take to reach the moon?” “How would you sort a bucket of golf balls?” All this goofiness was supposed to give insight into your problem-solving skills. In practice, it’s just weird.
How to handle it: Think before you answer. The actual answer doesn’t matter - it’s how you get there that does.
7. Highly Technical
If you are going after a very technical job, be prepared for this. You may encounter very specific and detailed questions to test your knowledge. It could even be done in conjunction with timed and graded skills tests. However, no matter how grueling the test, people do get hired; just because a test is tough doesn’t mean you lost the opportunity.
How to handle it: Think before you answer. If you’re struggling with an answer, don’t let it rattle you too badly. Prepare for this interview: study up on key points, skills or processes necessary for your job.
8. Confrontational
Everything about this guy’s attitude just screams “I’m gonna get ya!” He is dismissive, he cuts you off, he drills into your answers with an air of scorn. Why? He wants to see how you act under pressure. Don’t worry; he may not be like this as a boss, and often times he will be a completely different person on the second interview. His philosophy is to see you sweat in the interview; that way, he knows you can handle the job.
How to handle it: Don’t give in to the stress or get upset. Concentrate on your breathing, get grounded and get focused. It will be over soon!
Bottom line is to not be hard on yourself. A manager may think that if you’re nervous then you’re serious about the job. Prepare yourself, take a deep breath, mind your manners and you will do just fine.
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