How to Handle Difficult Interviews

During the process of writing your resume, you thoroughly researched the company and the job description. Review your notes on this research and you will have some basic company information freshly planted in your mind. Be familiar with the company services, products and needs. Be prepared to tell the interviewer how you can successfully meet those needs. In general, during the interview:

Keep your answers brief
Be sure your responses are honest
Never bad mouth a former boss (you may be talking to a sister, uncle)

As part of preparation, it will be helpful to get a good book with typical, and not so typical, interview questions. This is an excellent investment in your job search. Write down your responses to a mix of these questions and then rehearse with someone you trust. First, role play as the applicant and repeat the process as the interviewer. Time your answers to be sure each answer is about two to three minutes long. You should also be prepared to ask questions when the interviewer gives you that opening. Again, if you have prepared and rehearsed, you can quickly and confidently pose good questions.

Depending on the interviewer, you may only be asked very straightforward questions but without preparation and rehearsal, even direct questions can be daunting. A few of the most common questions and example answers:

1) Tell me about yourself.
Provide a concise answer that targets the job position. This is not the time to provide your personal autobiography. This is your opportunity to briefly cite some experience, skills and/or education relevant to the open position.

Example answer: My past experience (or education) in_________has prepared me for your position.

2) What are your weaknesses?
One of the best ways to respond is to describe a former area of weakness and explain how you have made improvement.

Example answer: There was a time when I had a problem delegating some of the work load to others. I now understand that it is more effective to use the strengths of everyone on the team. The results are faster and it builds team spirit.

3) Why should I hire you?
This is your time to sell yourself. Speak with confidence, make eye contact and point out your very best assets.

Example answer: I'm sure there may be other applicants that have the ability to do the job. But, along with ability, I am motivated to provide excellence. In every position I've held, my personal drive for excellence has resulted in achievement. I have the qualities you are looking for in an employee.

4) Where do you see yourself in ten years?
This needs to be answered with honesty and ambition but with emphasis on your desire to remain with the company long term.

Example answer: I hope to stay at the company and look forward to demonstrating that I'm the best person for the job.

Each question should be viewed as an opportunity to sell yourself. Remember that when you discuss your accomplishments, you are providing facts. Short honest answers are important.

In most interviews, you will be given the opportunity to ask questions. Be prepared with a few intelligent questions. It is unwise to simply say you have no questions. Here are a few ideas:

1) What will be my biggest challenge if I'm hired?
2) What do you expect me to accomplish if I'm hired?
3) What advancement opportunities can I expect?
4) When can I expect to hear back with your decision?

Get a good book and you'll find other great questions to ask the interviewer.

There may be things you want to know, but the interview may not be the appropriate time to ask. The following questions may give you a laugh, but keep in mind that these are VERY BAD questions.

Some examples of VERY BAD questions:

1) What are your psychiatric benefits?
2) Would anyone notice if I came in late and left early?
3) What is the zodiac sign of my immediate supervisor?
4) How am I doing?
5) Are you going to hire me?

Believe it or not, these questions and others equally bad or worse have actually been asked in interviews. Intelligent questions will keep your spotlight shining and, hopefully, help you "seal the deal". Bad questions in an interview will guarantee your spot in the unemployment line. Again, preparation and rehearsal are big keys to success.

Fortunately, the majority of interviewers are competent and effective. But not all interviewers have been created equal, and you need to be prepared for the interviewers that totally miss the mark. Interviews are stressful at best and getting stuck with a bad interviewer can knock you off balance if you're not prepared.

Some possible situations and suggestions for handling:

1) What if the interviewer is late and unprepared? Maybe this interviewer has never seen your resume and does not have a copy to review.

Suggestion: If you have properly prepared for the interview, you have an extra copy
of your resume ready to present to the interviewer. Overlook the tardiness of the
interviewer and move on with a smile.

2) How about the interviewer that asks illegal questions? For example, they may attempt
to determine your age by asking when you graduated high school/college.

Suggestion: This is, without question, a sticky situation. Do your best to ignore the
illegal question and try to return the focus to your job qualifications. Directly
pointing out the illegal question will most likely be the end of a job possibility.

3) What if the interviewer is distracted with phone calls and other interruptions?

Suggestion: If the situation is extreme, you may want to offer to reschedule. If the
interviewer agrees to have you come back and you encounter the same lack of focus,
you may want to reconsider this position. If this is an indication of how the company
functions, you may not want to work here.

An interview should be a two way conversation with both parties focused and exchanging information. Sometimes behavior or body language can be more informative than the verbal communication.

Not every interview will be great or smooth. In fact, some interviews will be terrible. It helps to keep this in mind as you prepare for interviews. Sometimes it's you and sometimes, it is just plan unfair.

After you've completed an interview that went totally wrong, you need to quickly deal with the frustration and move on. It helps to vent to someone you trust. Then, let it go and move forward. If you feel as though you made mistakes that led to a less than great interview, take a look at the improvements you can make. You are in control and can change actions that will make you better for the next interview. If you know in your heart you were not treated fairly, accept it as one of the rough spots on the road to your success. If you are tempted to let the "could have been" employer know how you feel and just how upset you are, don't do it! Never burn your bridges. Instead, send a thank you note and ask them to keep you in mind for future positions. This shows strength of character and class.

It is very important for your success that you let go of negative feelings and thoughts. Stay upbeat, do your best and soon the door will open to the right job for you.