Interview nightmares

Interview Nightmares

Yes it’s Halloween and a time of weird creatures lurking in the night and terrifying everyone around the place.  But when you think of these horrible monsters they pale to insignificance compared to some of the horrors you could encounter if you meet a nighmare interviewer!  

But before I talk about what makes a nightmare interviewer let's take a step back a bit and see first what makes a dream interviewer!

A good and experienced interviewer will usually take a candidate through a routine that is tried and tested and each has his own style.  The one thing in common is that they all seem to have the ability to draw the information out of the candidate without terrifying them.  You do encounter the odd one that applies a lot of pressure but it is generally recognised that most people respond best to a pleasant conversation rather than a confrontation.

These people will often start by asking you to “tell me a little bit about yourself”.  This is a good opener as it lets you say what you want in your own time so use this brief moment wisely, because when you have answered the question you won’t get a second chance to say what you want.  You will answer questions from that point on.  Time yourself for about 2 minutes talking.  Start with, for example:


‘I left college with a Degree in....... and my first post was with ABC Company etc..... ‘


Talk quickly through your past jobs stating the highlights or successes from each, 5 seconds for the first job, 10 seconds for the second, 15 to the third and one minute to the current or last position where you give five or six tasks or responsibilities, skills and or achievements.  These topics should have been carefully selected in your mind in advance, should be relevant to the advertisement or job spec and should the best of what you have to offer.  Be truthful as you will be asked further details on any points made.


Do not start your 2 minute presentation with any drawn out irrelevant comment such as:

‘Well thank you very much for having me here today.  As you know my name is John, I am from Carlow, I am married with three children, two boys and one girl’ 


his is an interview for a job, so talk about how you are a perfect match for the job.  They really aren’t too concerned about how many children you have or your junior life-saying certificate.  It’s not relevant. Go through your 2 minutes clearly, keep it simple, smile, be pleasant and always speak with fond memories of EVERY JOB YOU EVER HAD.....

If you make a proper job of this presentation the interviewer really shouldn’t have anything further to ask - but they will.

This presentation is important because between the times that a job spec is drawn up and advertised other elements will be added through in-company conversations where managers will each voice their suggestions about the forthcoming interviews. 


Example:  Head of Sales rings HR.  “Mary I was just thinking about this interview you’re having for the order processor.  It would be great if you got someone who could speak some French since we will be starting that new French product line next month”


So there is an example of a requirement not advertised but an addition and you don’t know about it. If you have some French that could swing the interview your way but only provided you happened to mention you speak good French during your presentation.  You never know what you say that might just ‘ring a bell’ in the mind of the interviewer.


This good interviewer will take you through tour interview in a structured way, make notes and make a good judgement call after you are gone.


So what about the Nightmare Interviewer? 


Probably because of their own insecurity these people tend to start by telling you all about the job.  No harm in that, but they will go on and on and then talk about the company.  Why I don’t know but they do and you will wonder when will be get an opportunity to speak.  


Then it comes, the questions and all out of sequence.  You could be asked where you are from followed by the turnover in you section last year and then about your ability to lead a team.  


Questions, questions and more questions all out of sequence and making no sense at all.  You will be asked about statements made on your CV from yesterday, from school days etc, all just a big muddle. 


Unfortunately you have to answer the questions asked but one thing you can be sure is that this interviewer will not remember a single thing about you the following day.


The important point here is when you notice the second or third question coming out of sequence feign a little confusion and say; 


‘No, that came before I joined the ABC Company.  I’ll explain, when I joined them I was appointed the team leader for....  And carry on your two minutes from this point and fast.  You need to put structure and order on your career history, then they will remember you.


The best example is, if you read a book, chapter 1, 22, 7 12 17 2 etc, yes you will read the book but not grasp the full meaning or story.  Your presentation will tell them the story of your career - in order and only then will they remember you.  In this manner you just might have a chance of getting called back for a second interview or better still – being hired......


Don’t let the monsters scare you. Be confident in yourself and know your CV inside out and you will be able to copy with any interview nightmares!