Dealing Effectively with The Stress Interview
Posted in Job Interview Tips
Although many have started to depart way from this method of interviewing, the stress interview is still common in many companies.
A stress interview is where the employer lines up a bunch of interviewers whose mission is to intimidate the applicant. This type of interview intentionally creates and promotes discomfort. The purpose of this interview is to find out how a prospective employee may be able to be assertive and handle difficult situations.
One piece of advice is to take control of the interview no matter if you find yourself facing several interviewers who stare, rudely ask questions at rapid pace and while someone watches your every move.
Ask for an interview agenda in advance to help you focus your attention on the decision maker or on the person you'd be reporting to. Ask who will be in the interview, their jobs and the person who will decide to hire you?
Be yourself. If they try to stress you purposely, make yourself slow down and speak calmly and softly. Relax and stay in control. Take a breath and focus on the question they're asking you.
Dominate by standing up and walk around while you talk. This can make you very powerful, because everyone else is sitting down. If they tell you to sit down, tell them that you are comfortable walking while working.
Some of the tests are thoughtful and valid, many are just plain stupid and unfair. When an interview is slowly turning to a bad game the candidate should play hardball.
