How to Handle a Bad Interviewer
In an ideal world, all hiring managers would be highly skilled at conducting an
effective job interview. They would ask intelligent questions about your
work-related competencies and experience, while providing you with a solid
understanding of the company and open position.
Unfortunately, not all prospective employers are master interviewers. If you
haven’t yet encountered a bad interviewer, you likely will at some point in your
career. They come in many shapes and sizes. Some are unorganised or aloof;
others are focused and informed but intent on “testing” you.
Regardless of the type of interviewer you meet, there are ways to maintain your
composure and leave a positive impression. Following are some common types of
bad interviewers and tips for dealing with their idiosyncrasies.
The Inquisitor
Don’t expect to engage in friendly chitchat with the inquisitor. This
type of interviewer immediately dispenses with small talk and gets down to the
business of interrogating you. The inquisitor will fire a barrage of questions
at you, perhaps even taking a slightly accusatory tone. The nanosecond you
finish answering a query, the inquisitor is halfway through the next one.
How to manage: Don’t try to keep pace with a frenetic interviewer; you
could end up fumbling a response you would have easily nailed otherwise. Your
best bet is to remain calm and briefly pause before answering each question.
This tactic will enable you to collect your thoughts, while stemming the
inquisitor’s ability to completely control the tempo of the interview.
The Talkaholic
Information should flow both ways during an employment interview, but this
concept is lost on the talkaholic. While it’s beneficial to you for a hiring
manager to impart insight about the firm, the talkaholic provides too much
information, most of which has little relevancy to the open position.
How to manage: Interrupting the chatterbox will likely work against
you. Instead, try to quarterback the discussion when the opportunity to speak
arises. Use whatever opportunity you have to link back to the skills and
qualifications that make you perfect for the job.
The Robot
Unlike the talkaholic, the robot doesn’t deviate from the script. He
or she asks only basic boilerplate questions. There are no tangents,
interesting asides or impromptu follow-up queries. If the question isn’t
written on paper, it doesn’t get asked. Often, this interviewer appears
disengaged.
How to manage: If an interviewer is flying on autopilot, enliven the
discussion by asking questions of your own. For instance, you could ask the
interviewer what he or she enjoys most about the company. Getting the hiring
manager off script might enable you to develop rapport that sets you apart from
other candidates.
The Unprepared Interviewer
Completely unfamiliar with your job-application materials, the
unprepared interviewer asks questions that could be easily answered with a
cursory glance of your CV. Example: “So, where did you go to college?”
How to manage: Because the unprepared interviewer hasn’t — and may
never — read your CV, be sure to reiterate the major selling points highlighted
on it. A good way to do so is by asking if you can talk about a few of your key
qualifications after the hiring manager concludes his or her list of questions.
The Newbie
Inexperienced and intimidated, the newbie is more nervous than you. He or she
is wet behind the ears when it comes to understanding the finer points of
conducting an efficient job interview. You’ll likely encounter lots of
stammering, awkward pauses and a disjointed flow of conversation.
How to manage: First and foremost, maintain your poise and don’t let
the newbie’s nervousness transfer to you. Since he or she may not be able to
fully answer your questions about the work environment, consider requesting an
office tour to fill in information gaps. Observation can be the best way to
learn about the company’s culture.
The Multitasker
The multitasker fields phone calls, sends faxes, and responds to
e-mails and instant messages during the meeting. This easily sidetracked
interviewer might even start conversations with colleagues who happen to walk by
the office.
How to manage: While not ideal, interviewers sometimes must respond to
pressing matters at inopportune times. Your best course of action is to grin
and bear an interruption or two. However, if incessant intrusions take over the
interview, offer to reschedule the meeting for a more convenient time. Also,
keep in mind that how you’re treated during the interview is often a good
indication of how you’ll be treated as a new employee. If the interviewer isn’t
respectful of you, you may want to re-evaluate your interest in the position.
The Tester
The tester plays mind games and asks trick questions designed to fluster you.
For example, he or she may make the office extremely warm to see how you react
or ask you off-the-wall questions like “Why are manhole covers round?” and “If
you were an animal, what animal would you be?”
How to manage: The tester thrives on your uneasiness. By staying on
your toes, keeping your cool and answering questions with confidence, you’ll
show the interviewer that you can deftly handle pressure. That said, set
boundaries and tell the interviewer if his or her tactics have crossed a
professional line. Being demeaned should not be part of any interview.
The Inappropriate Interviewer
The inappropriate interviewer probes into your religious or political
beliefs, race, age, marital status, or home life. In addition to being
irrelevant to the role, these questions are unlawful. Examples include: “What
church do you attend?” or “How long have you been married?”
How to manage: Be polite and tactful, yet matter of fact. Explain that
you want to focus on your professional skills. Some interviewers may simply not
realise they are asking inappropriate questions. If an interviewer persists
with a line of inappropriate questioning, consider the red flag raised and
explain that you’d prefer to end the meeting.
A job interview gives you an excellent opportunity to see what it would be like
to work for a particular employer. Watch for warning signs that may indicate an
unhealthy environment, but, at the same time, remember that everyone has bad
days — including hiring managers.
No matter what type of interviewer you face, maintain a positive and confident
demeanor during your meeting. If you still feel the job may be right for you,
be sure to write a follow-up thank-you note to express your gratitude and
interest in the position. Above all, try to put your best foot forward during
the employment interview, even if the hiring manager doesn’t do the same.
