Last time, we looked at how to handle a bad interviewer, including intimidating, talkative or quiet interviewers.

This time we are going to look at how to handle the stumbling interviewer, the shallow interviewer and the rude interviewer.

The Stumbling Interviewer

The interviewer who does not seem to know where they are going with the interview is unprepared, insecure or both.

There appears to be no order or structure to their questioning and they are failing to bring out the depth of your experience.

The interview is a stop-start affair and you are concerned that they will know little about you by the close.

How to handle it

Remain calm and professional. You need to draw the conversation back to your skills and experience whenever possible.

You can do this by asking your own questions at appropriate moments, then describing how you: meet the criteria described, can help with achieving the goals described, will fit into the culture, etc.

If the interviewer reaches the end of their questions, offer to provide more information that you feel is highly important. It may feel clumsy, but you have no choice.

Shallow Interviewer

This interviewer has a list of questions that they ask, no matter what. This is often the case with panel interviewers where they are allotted a certain number of questions each.

There are no follow-up questions and no flow to the proceedings.

How to handle it

Again, you need to ask your own questions about the company / organisation and the job.

You also need to ensure your most relevant skills, experience and qualities are taken into account by putting them forward, even if not questioned directly about them.

Ensure that you are to the point, with solid eye contact as you talk. Do not ramble but be clear and confident.

The Rude Interviewer

There are many ways in which the interviewer can act rudely, without actually insulting you.

Top of the list is taking a phone call, reading a text message, sending an email, talking to somebody else or even smoking.

How to handle it:

Try to recognise whether they are checking your reactions in adverse conditions, or whether they are genuinely rude.

Either way, do not become impatient.

If interruptions are constant, ask if it might be worth rescheduling the interview.

Do consider whether this interviewer is organised enough to be a good employer. You deserve to be treated with respect at an interview.

Things to Think About (Summing Up Part 1 and Part 2)

Was the interviewer genuinely being rude or was their behaviour a deliberate ‘stress’ ploy?

Were you witnessing disorganisation or just the office on a bad day?

It’s important to keep the events of the interview in proportion. It may not have been ideal, but was it that bad?

Is the bad interviewer the person you will be working with, if successful? If not, then it may not be of such great consequence.

If they are, then there might be more cause for you to be concerned, After all, it is up to them to sell the job to you as much as you have to sell yourself to them.

Whatever the interviewer is like, it is best that you are calm, positive and confident throughout. This way, you can always maximise your chances of securing employment.

Please let us know your experiences of handling bad interviewers by leaving your comments below.

If you need help with interviews please see our interview services.

Kindest regards,

Paul Bradley.

Managing Director.
Bradley CVs Ltd.