This article will take a different approach to helping you succeed in your next job interview. While the vast majority of interview-based tips focus on the interview questions and your answers to them, this article is going to focus on the interviewer and how to handle three different type of interviewers.
Below are three common types of job interviewers that you may most likely come across during a job interview and a few tips about on to handle them:
The Jovial and Chatty Interviewer
This type of interviewer is often jovial and laidback during the whole course of the interview. This interviewer will be quick to talk about a number of trivial things and issues before going straight to any proper interview questions. This kind of interviewer may often switch from talking about a major concert in the city the previous night to career-related questions.
Tip: While it is crucial that you establish a rapport with your interviewer, you should also try as much as possible to steer the conversation back to what you have to offer with regards to the position you are applying for. By all means, enjoy the rapport, but don’t be seen as a chatty person rather than the best man/woman for the job. In summary, be open to small talk, but keep your eyes on the prize!
The Box Checker
This kind of interviewer is the direct opposite of the jovial interviewer. The box checker usually has a predefined set of questions they have in mind for you, and they will adhere religiously to their script. They will rarely ask any follow-up questions and will not talk about any other subject outside the requirement for the job. They may take notes or record answers and will most likely limit their eye contact with you.
Tip: If you come across the Box Checker ensure that you keep your answers as apt and precise as possible. Ensure you take care to highlight the strong points that make you the ideal candidate for the position. Do not say more than you need to and let the interviewer be in charge. Speak loudly but slowly and try not always to make strong eye contact.
The Barely Prepared Interviewer
As bemusing as this may sound, a poorly prepared interviewer may not be entirely sure if they have seen or even remember what’s on your resume. Perhaps he/she is short-staffed, didn’t have enough time to go through all the resume or just bottom line lazy and lethargic. Regardless of the reason for their inability to adequately prepare for the interview, your interviewer on the day appears to know next to nothing about you.
Tip: It can be quite disappointing when you have done all your due diligence leading up to a job interview but the person sitting across you haven’t. However, you should not let the frustration or disappointment get to you. Stay confident and be sure to do your best to introduce yourself and highlight your skills in the best possible way. Your answer to every question must be packed full of information. Remember, your interviewer barely knows anything about you. Also, bring several copies of your resume along with you, as a poorly prepared interviewer might need to take a quick look.
Selling yourself as the best candidate in an interviewer requires considerable skill and tact. Knowing the kind of interviewer, you are faced with and how to make the best impression on them is critical to your success in an interview. This knowledge can give you the edge over candidates.
