Any interview is supposed to be well-prepared not only from the direction of the applicant but also from that of the hiring manager. Despite thorough preparation something may go wrong and you must know how to handle uncomfortable situation.
The first obstacle to the brilliant interview might turn out quite unexpected- the interviewer himself. Some of the hiring managers just forget that they used to be applicants themselves and deliberately create tension to check applicant’s resistance to stress. Others are just inexperienced in the interview procedure and make mistakes due to ignorance. In any case your future in the company is in hands of the hiring manager. Follow our advice to sail through the toughest moments of the interview.
Among the hiring managers you can find real chatter-boxes, who seem even to stop breathing during the interview, filling all the pauses with constant flow of information. On the one hand- you may learn many interesting and useful facts about the company and your future duties, but on the other hand- you loose the chance to show your professional skills. Don’t be too shy, and calmly interrupt the hiring manager, trying to attract his attention to your accomplishments in the field the interviewer’s mentioned. For instance you may cut in like this: “I am much obliged to you for presenting such detailed information about your company. I fully agree with your opinion that international certifications play a great role in professional growth, and that’s why I have attended special training courses to promote my knowledge in the sphere of IT technologies….”
Another extreme of hiring managers is to keep silence and ask brief questions waiting for the full answers. This technique is used to draw out of your answers some hidden information. This psychological trick really works, because when a nervous applicant feels that he is expected to say more, he usually does so, revealing some extra facts about his career flops. How to make a hiring manager continue the conversation? – It’s quite easy. Ask him a question. Finish your answer with a feedback inquiry like “Did I give you enough information on the point?” or “That’s all I can say about my professional background. Would you like to proceed to my education history\accomplishments, e.t.c.”
One more common tactic among the interviewers is to avoid asking questions at all. The first thing they wish an applicant to dwell on is his humble personality. You might have come across such hiring managers, entrusting the applicant with the task of interview conduct by a question like: “What can you tell me about yourself?” Note that no one ever specifies what pieces of your autobiography present interest. The first and most obvious step to take in this situation is to ask the employer directly what part of your rich background he wants to discuss. If the ambiguous answer makes you choose what to start with- then it’s better to highlight your achievements, mentioning the company you worked for, your duties, then you may come to the education and qualifications mentioned on the resume.
Good manners are a must for a modern employer, as he\she should be an example of tact and accuracy to the employees. But some bosses neglect simple rules of professional etiquette. The only advice for the applicants who faced such interviewers is to put up with their flaws. Think whether you would like to work in a company under the guidance of a person who seems to take no interest in you or who listens inattentively showing disrespect by frequent yawning. Some employers go so far that make applicants wait for the interview for ages or simply forget about them. Of course, there may be reasons for such unpardonable treatment. If your interviewer is constantly interrupted by emergency phone calls- you can turn this annoyance into an advantage, taking time to think more thoroughly over the answers to the questions.
And finally, the last thing that spoils the impression from the interview is a number of possible questions not related to the topic of the interview. Be prepared to answer tricky questions about your marital status. Though an employer is not supposed to ask personal questions, all the bosses are usually interested in the amount of time and effort you can spend on the work. Mind that being single is not always an advantage. Some employers prefer to hire applicants bound by family ties, as this category of employees is supposed to appreciate their position more because they have to pay the bills, mortgages and have on overall more settled lifestyle than their unmarried colleagues.
We hope that our warnings will help to feel comfortable during the interview. Remember that even an unsuccessful interview is a good practice for any applicant that will definitely lead to the job landing.
