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5 Interview Types and How to Ace Them
Tania Khadder
4. The Stress Interview
What Is It?
It’s just as it sounds: an interview designed to stress you out. The point? To see how you cope. The interviewer will try to intimidate by asking off the wall questions (like, “if you were an animal, which would you be?”). Or perhaps a panel of interviewers will greet you, firing questions at you in quick succession. They might make you wait for an hour before seeing you, give you the silent treatment, or respond to your answers with rudeness and/or mockery. If you’re really unlucky, they’ll use a combination of the aforementioned techniques.
It’s all part of a game to see just how much abuse you can withstand before you crack.
Although these types of interviews tend to be frowned upon by the experts, who claim they are not useful or fair, they continue to be used from time to time.
How to Ace It
Stress interviews may be unfair, unrealistic or downright cruel. Unfortunately, they’re here to stay.
And while you’re unlikely to experience the whole sadistic shebang, you may, at the very least, endure a few isolated stress questions.
The key to surviving this nightmare is to stay calm. And the first step to doing so is to recognize that you are in the midst of a stress interview. Instead of taking their ill-treatment personally, learn the rules of the game and play it well. Be firm about your main message is so that if you are asked a stress question, you’ll be less flustered and can quickly adapt an appropriate answer.
One way to prepare is to ask for an agenda beforehand. They can tell you how many people you’re going to meet on the day. They may even tell you what type of interview you’re going to experience.
And whatever you do, don’t get aggressive or argumentative. Be courteous and polite, even if no one else is. Don’t, as one Lehman Brothers interviewee allegedly did, throw a chair through the window in a fit of rage.
NewFootballShirts
over 2 years ago
2 comments
These are clever tips for interviewees. It would also make a good impression for the interview if you are confident at all times. Never ever make up an answer just to impress. Remember they are trained to know if you're telling the truth or not. http://www.topfootballshirts.co.uk
jameshammond85
almost 3 years ago
22 comments
i have used my iPhone 4 white for quite a few phone interviews, i use an app which gives a slightly clearer loud speaker
sophiaallen5
almost 3 years ago
58 comments
Have you heard of Group interview.Group interviews are conducted by some large companies for graduates who are all interviewed at one time. They may give some exercises to solve in a group and observes how the candidates react with other people.
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mgilman
almost 3 years ago
24 comments
This is very appropriate for our tough economic times. A must read for anyone looking to become gainfully employed.
mgilman
almost 3 years ago
24 comments
Great article, I have used most of the suggestions in orientations that I provide while conducting training sessions. I work with a not for profit that collaborates around work force development.
kittie
about 3 years ago
2 comments
Excellent guide. I've already aced a few interviews. Now its just a waiting game. Next...
greenvr58
about 3 years ago
2 comments
This article was a great one, it helps to be prepared when interviewing whether over the phone or in person
MorelCS
about 3 years ago
24 comments
The phone interview is scheduled at the convenience of the employer and do not be surprised if you are called an hour to two hours early or later than the scheduled time. I am sure this is a tactic to see how you can handle events not occuring as scheduled and unexpected.
brittania
about 3 years ago
2 comments
Great article. I will be applying the information in my next interview.
willboywonder
about 3 years ago
12 comments
These are great. One note to disagree with the author about the phone interview: just because the call can come at anytime doesn't mean that the interview has to happen at anytime. I have had a couple of phone interverviews that were pre-arranged. The interviewer (or his/her sercretary) called me to schedule the phone interview just as they might have scheduled the face to face interview. Even if they aren't calling to schedule it, request it. There's no harm in that. If you're a viable candidate, rather than them just going through the motions to satisfy HR rules, then asking for a more convenient time for the phone interview wiill be in your best interest. If you go through with it at a bad time, your mind may not be as sharp and your performance during the interview may be less than stellar.
vmmckane
over 3 years ago
4 comments
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jyl
over 3 years ago
8 comments
Excellent Recommendation to ACE the interviews. Thanks.
Account Removed
over 3 years ago
Thank you, for the article. It definitely helps to prepare for an interview.
jyl
over 3 years ago
8 comments
Great Job