Not Sure About Your Interviewer? Here’s How to Identify and Handle the 5 Common Types of Interviewer
Posted on 30. Mar, 2010 posted by Bill in Employment News, Interviewing
Not everyone interviews with the same format, passion, process and questions. There are some old standards out there that some interviewers follow, while others take their own path, especially the entrepreneurs. There are different types of interviewers and with some forethought you can be prepared to interview successfully, no matter which type you encounter.
Keep in mind that an interviewer’s personality and their style make a difference in the outcome. For example, a hotel front desk clerk learns quickly to read a person’s personality as they approach the desk. This is key to customer service because the clerk quickly adapts in order to meet the needs of that customer. A food server listens carefully to a table of guests to assess the mood and friendliness of each person or the group and know how to provide them with excellent service.
Take caution though: if you misread the personality of the interviewer, you might make some mistakes that could cause you to not move further in the hiring process. Here we share the most common types of interviewers to help you make your own “first impression” style assessment, which can arm you with what you need to position yourself in the interview. These are just some simple rules to follow allowing you to be more comfortable at the onset of the interview.
The Non-Stop Talker
You’ve seen the type – they talk more than they ask questions. This sometimes presents a vulnerable situation whereby the interviewer chats personally and sucks you into feeling comfortable enough to move with the conversation. This might lead you to state some information that you might not want to reveal at this time. Be polite and respond with friendliness as the interviewer will appreciate this quality. So carefully listen to the questions and respond in a professional manner. Wait for those opportunities to ask pertinent questions relative to the position or the company. It shows your interest in what the interviewer has to say and allows them to continue with their chatter.
The Drill Sergeant
Opposite of the chatter is the interviewer who maintains domination over the conversation by firing off a list of questions in a monotone voice. This might be a bit intimidating but their goal might be to do just that – make you nervous. Maintain your eye contact with strong earnest, remain calm and confident, look for ways to return some questions, and provide solid answers without adding chatter. Stick to the pertinent information and be ready for the continued drill.
Following Traditional Rules
This style of interviewing is somewhat predictable as they tend to follow a script or specific list of questions. This interviewer wants to be objective and neutral or isn’t comfortable with the interviewing process. Allow the interviewer to remain in their comfort zone by sticking with the routine. Again, listen for opportunities to ask questions about the position or the company – subject matter that the interviewer is knowledgeable about and willing to discuss.
The Newbie (the inexperienced)
Everyone has to start somewhere and encountering an ill-prepared or inexperienced interviewer can be a bit tricky. They may be new to the company or new to the hiring process but you don’t want to “take over” the conversation and leave them uncomfortable. Stay on course with the planned points and try not to ask questions that you already know they won’t have answers for. However it is your interview and if they are unable to provide enough information for your own comfort level, then perhaps ask if there is another person with whom you could schedule a discussion.
The Inappropriate Interviewer
Fortunately not too often, there are the interviewers who inappropriately ask questions. If you encounter someone who steps out of bounds, making you uncomfortable, try to redirect the discussion back to a professional path. This shows the interviewer that you prefer to maintain the discussion around job or company-related subject matter. If their line of questioning persists, it’s best to thank them for their time and conclude the discussion.
Then there is the one you don’t expect
Almost all interviewers fit into one of the five categories already discussed here but there may be an occasion where someone fits outside these five types. It’s unlikely, however if this happens you might want to try patterning some of their own behaviors and speech. Some hiring managers like people who remind them of themselves. In other words, adapt to their style.
Marc Berlin – The “Job Interviewing Coach” http://www.jobinterviewingcoach.com Marc relates to each client personally with passion and expertise cultivated through a rich background of knowledge and hands-on experience. His skills are formed from 22 years in career coaching, sales training development, executive sales management and over 3,000 interviews he personally planned and conducted. Studying under the top career and job coaches in the business, Marc is certified in powerful, interrelated fields toward guiding you in how to succeed in job interviewing:
-Certified Dale Carnegie Course Trainer
-Certified Interview Coach
-Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)
-PSS Certified Master Trainer
-BS/BA Management Communications
-Certified Sales Trainer from BTU In choosing a job interview coach, you need to select someone who has similar degrees of experience you have. Your coach should be someone with real life experience over many years in positions demanding excellent people-and-communication skills. Marc has held sales vice president positions at several Fortune 1000 companies.
As a job interview coach, Marc intimately knows the process of personal discussion that goes into preparing for and performing exceptionally well in interviews. It is an art to him-the nature of interview questions and the optimum answers to articulate in the time available. Marc approaches this art with verbal skills and with a background in writing and teaching on the hiring communication process. Marc authored three training manuals covering interviewing, hiring and sales training for Fortune 1000 companies.
Getting the job offer is the final desired outcome of excellent interview preparedness and performance. In job interview coaching, Marc has worked with hundreds of individuals and reached thousands through his projects. Many past and current clients look to him as a mentor, teacher and advisor in their business and career lives.
Not Sure About Your Interviewer? Here’s How to Identify and Handle the 5 Common Types of Interviewer
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