Tag: job interview

When the Interviewer Hates You

The whole point of a job interview is to make a good impression. Every candidate wants to wow the interviewers with their skills and experience so that it’s almost impossible to reject them.

But it isn’t always plain sailing.

Sometimes, you get the sense that things aren’t going well. It might be that you struggle to answer, or stumble over, a particular question. Or, even worse, you don’t feel like you’re making a good impression with the people asking the questions.

Having a feeling that an interviewer doesn’t like you is horrible. It can dent your confidence and lead to a difficult experience where hopes of the job disappear in front of your eyes.

So, even if things get off to a rocky start, it’s important to keep the interview on track and ensure that you stay in contention for the job. Here are some tips for helping you to achieve just that.

Don’t Panic

Easier said than done but failing to hit it off with an interviewer doesn’t mean that all is lost. The following points should be kept in mind:

  1. Your belief that the interviewer doesn’t isn’t a fan of yours might not be true.
  2. The remainder of the interview is an opportunity to turn any negative impressions into positive ones.
  3. The individual concerned may not have the final say when it comes to who gets the job.

Try to Build Rapport

Even if the interview hasn’t had the best of starts, the aim of the candidate should continue to be to give the best possible version of themselves.

Smile and make good eye contact with the people across the table, or on the screen if it’s a video interview. Speak positively about yourself, your career and the role you are applying for.

Don’t Overdo it

While showing enthusiasm is usually beneficial when going through the recruitment process, be careful not to go too far if the interview isn’t going to plan.

Cracking jokes, talking too much, going off subject or focusing too much on the interviewer who doesn’t appear to be a fan won’t turn things around.

Learn from the Experience

If your application ultimately proves to be unsuccessful it’s important to learn from the experience. Did you say or do anything that could have offended the interviewer or left them feeling less than impressed by you as a candidate?

However, it’s also important to remember that a failure to connect with an interviewer is not automatically your fault. It could have been down to unconscious bias, a random dislike or a lack of people skills on the part of the other person or people involved.

Returning to Job Interviews

Job interviews are nerve racking. Answering questions about yourself in front of one or more people is a daunting prospect for many.

And those butterflies in the tummy can be multiplied when you haven’t been interviewed in years.

Many people go extended periods between interviews for many reasons, including poor health, raising kids or simply spending a long time in one job.

So for anyone who hasn’t been in that position for a while, here are some tips to get you through that first interview:

Learn About the Organisation

Do your homework and find about the company you hope to work for.

Plan your Journey

Work the best route to drive or know your public transport times. And try to have a fall back in case of delays.

Remember Who to Ask for

The contact name should be on the letter or email inviting you to interview. To a copy with you if you need to.

Know What’s Involved

Do you only need to go through one interview? Or is there a presentation or an assessment centre? Again, being prepared helps.

Have Prepared Answers

Try to anticipate the type of questions you’ll be asked and have a set of answers that you can go to. This is particularly useful when it comes to competency based interviews.

Smile and be Confident

On the big day, give a good first impression and remember that you were invited to interview because of a good application form or CV. The interviewer wants you to perform well.

Make Yourself Comfortable

Once you’re in the interview room, don’t be afraid to take off your coat or jacket if it helps cool you down. And, if offered a glass of water, take it.

Nobody Has a Perfect Interview

Take time to think about the questions before answering. If you stumble don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to make up for it.

Ask Questions

Relevant questions about the role can show how keen you are and perhaps even demonstrate your knowledge – while helping you find out about anything not covered in the interview.