Know thy interviewer type, handle with care

Published on Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008

Most job hunters concentrate their energies on researching companies, practising answers, listing their achievements and deciding what to wear when preparing for an interview.

But this is not enough. To get hired in today’s business world, you also need to figure out the interviewer’s style and adapt accordingly.

Ideally, the interviewer should be an accomplished person who asks intelligent questions that draw out the candidate’s competencies, interests and experience. He should be focussed and informed so as to provide a proper understanding of the company and the position while steering clear of unlawful questions.

Unfortunately this is not always the case. Hiring managers come in all shapes and sizes with diverse personalities, styles and techniques. The differences present unique challenges that can leave the best interviewee rattled.

So, do you still think you can afford to walk into the interview without a clue as to what makes the interviewer tick? While the actual interview does not give you much time to decipher the type of interviewer you are confronted with, knowing what to watch out for can definitely help you beard the lion in his own den.

Here’s how to identify some common types of interviewers and how to handle them:

The greenhorn – At times, inexperienced or inept interviewers may have no idea what to ask. They themselves are uncomfortable, nervous and disconcerted as they stammer through the questions.

When faced with a ‘wet behind the ears’ interviewer, the onus is on you to take charge of the interview and get the ball rolling. Subtly guide it in the right direction by talking about your selling points or politely asking if you can discuss a few of your key qualifications.

The absentee – Some hiring managers conduct the interview on autopilot, they are distracted, disengaged and just not there. It is difficult to make an impression as they either mechanically ask questions from a list or even worse, field calls, send emails or conduct other work issues simultaneously.

Its up to you to involve the interviewer and develop a rapport by volunteering information as well as asking questions of your own like how long he has been working or what does he like about the job/company. If they are incessant intrusions, you can even ask for a reschedule.

The buddy – A friendly recruiter may smile, joke and talk a lot so as to put you at ease. He may either be hiding his own inadequacy or expertly trying to get you to open up. They usually have lots of family pictures in the office and talk at length about personal matters. At times, it is difficult to get in a word edgewise.

While you should act warm and friendly with extroverts, do keep your guard up and not reveal unnecessary information. Also, take advantage of any pauses to link back to the skills and qualifications that make you perfect for the job and guide the chatter back to professional topics.

The inquisitor – At direct odds with the connectors, some poker-faced interviewers dispense with small talk and totally focus on content as they bombard you with a stream of tough questions. The almost accusatory or adversarial tone creates deliberate pressure that can unnerve the most composed candidate.

Do not take the aloof behaviour personally or get intimidated. Be confident and positive as you calmly take your time to think about the response and answer in an even tone. But take care not to become extra social; just act pleasant.

The shotgun – This sort of interviewer characteristically fires a barrage of staccato questions, jumping from one topic to another before you can even finish answering. The tempo and interruptions make you squirm, as it is difficult to keep pace with the questions.

View this as your chance to relate your strengths on a variety of topics without going into details. But take care not to fumble under the onslaught and calmly answer one question at a time. You can even skilfully stem the blitz with a ‘As I was saying…’ to relate back to the key requirements of the job.

The laser beam – Occasionally, the hiring manager may latch on to an irrelevant/personal aspect of your background like your college, hobbies or sports experience. Refusing to let go, he will grill you with off-the-wall questions that are completely non-job-related.

You have no choice but to put his curiosity at rest by answering the obscure queries satisfactorily. Then try to redirect the conversation to more standard work topics.

The tester – Some interviews play mind games by being sarcastic and argumentative, asking tricky questions or keeping the candidate waiting to test how he handles pressure.

You have to be on your toes in order to deftly handle these tactics. Take care not to get flustered and maintain an aura of poised professionalism.

At length, only when you understand the different interviewer types, can you adjust your approach to match that of the interviewer.

Striking this balance will instantly create a positive impression, establish your credibility and build a rapport that can successfully land you the job.

PAYAL CHANANIA

---