|
|
|
Stressful Interview Situations
and How to Handle Them
Attending a job interview can be a stressful situation, no matter how well you think you have prepared. You can never be too sure of an interviewer throwing surprises at you. Some interviewers try to put you in a stressful situation and see how you will react.
|
|
|
Knowing how to handle tricky interview questions helps in boosting your confidence as you are called in, and better handling surprises that get thrown at you.
You may not have all the answers, but you will be better able to cope with tricky situations, and wriggle out without much damage done. Here are the commonest scenarios.
|
|
The Inexperienced Interviewer
It is not everybody that sits on that table that is experienced in interviewing people. Some of them have next to no clue in sizing up candidates through asking the right questions. For some, their boss that is supposed to be on the panel is unavoidable absent at the last minute, so the poor reluctant guy is roped in at the last minute to represent his department at the interview panel.
This guy is unfocussed, obviously unprepared and lacks he skills to rise to the occasion. He has obviously not read your CV and has no clue where he misplaced, and may start asking questions in all directions.
Like driving, all you need is to be in control of the situation. Confidently steer him back to the subject matter at hand. Offer the disorganized interview a copy of your CV while asking "Can I take you through some of my recent experience in this field?"
If he brings in what you think is an unrelated issue, try to tie back the answer into what you believe is the requirements of the job.
If he is a talkative, don't interrupt him. Take mental notes of useful information he dishes out in his uncalled for narrative. Let the leader of the panel call him to order if necessary. Listen attentively. Everything that has a beginning has an end. Sometime soon, he will end up with a question. Use the information he has provided to answer him.
Tell Me About Yourself
This is a rhetorical question of no much value, but can still rattle some candidates. Your CV has said pretty much that needs to be said about you. The interviewer is not asking for details of your personal life not reflected in your CV, but rather wants to size you up as you speak. This is an opportunity to sell yourself. Bring out relevant portions of your CV that relate to the job and ram your point home. Give a career summary that fits into the profile of the job you are being interviewed for.
... continued in Page 2
Pages | 1
| 2
| 3
| 4 |
Other Articles
Demonstrate You are the Man/Woman for the Job
Dressing Job Interview for Success
General Job Hunting Tips
Guide to Oral Job Interview Preparation
Oral Interview Do's and Don'ts
Job Oral Interview Tips
Job Written Test Tips
So You Are Looking For a Job?
|
|
