Four Ways to Adjust to Your Interviewer

Excellent article

This is very good information and should be applied in context.

@Ritu - thanks ever so much for that. So true that human behavior is highly unpredictable. Never know why the interviewer acts the way they do - could just be that he had a fight with his wife on the way out the door and you are the first one he is interviewing that day! Could be anything. Thanks @Karen. Having an interview with a CEO is not the norm today - unless it's a small company. But more than likely he/she would be in the sales pitch mindset - selling their company to you. I recently had an interview with the CEO of a small company and he did most of the talking - talking up his company and why I would want to work for there. It was quite interesting to be on the "listening" side in the interview instead of being bombarded with questions. Regardless of the style - as the interviewee, all we can do is listen and try to adapt. Good luck all.

Very useful I appreciate all the replies & information.

Great article! However, you left out - C. Founder/Owner/CEO

Good article. Here are some of my thoughts that may apply to some situations - You have extensive knowledge, great passion and relevant experience for the job. You got the interview and walked away feeling very confident. Then BOOM! You didn’t get hired. WHY?
You wonder what went wrong in the interview – you were confident, answered all the questions easily and actually had a good time in discussions with the interviewers. It was a PERFECT MATCH!

First let’s accept this fact : “Human behavior is highly unpredictable.”

In interviews you are dealing with bunch of humans and, hence, anything can happen. All you can do is to try your best, but don’t presume anything. Go with an open mind, read the room continuously, and act accordingly. Here are some tips that can be helpful in some situations.

1. Prepare yourself in advance & PRACTICE:
   a. Talk about yourself- role, experience, interest.
   b. Understand their problems/needs & articulate.
   c. What makes you suitable for that role?
   d. How can you help them solve their problems?
   e. Answer briefly, precisely and as a storyteller.
   f. Pull concrete real life examples from your experience - how you resolved a similar problem and its outcome.
   g. Be mindful of time constraints, listen carefully, be specific & confident in your answers but modest (open for other’s views).
   h. Show a deep and sincere interest in the job.

2. Find out about the interviewers via LinkedIn (don’t try to connect) and other sources.

3. Analyze their knowledge level and build your strategy accordingly:

a. Less knowledge/experience – They may be defensive, try to show off their knowledge and put you down, may not be open-minded. They might look for simpler, straightforward answers from you (that they know). May be envious of your knowledge, have job-insecurity, and may be adamantly against hiring you as a result.
Strategy: Listen. Listen. Listen. Ask easy questions that they can answer. Don’t try to indulge them in discussions, as they wont be comfortable.

b. Great knowledge/experience – They most likely will be open-minded and may like to have discussions on tough problems, will be easy going. Will respect your knowledge.
Strategy: Listen with patience. Be respectful all the time and don’t get too carried away in the discussion. Be mindful of time constraints and choose your words precisely. Be cautious- it’s an interview & not an open discussion. Don’t let your passion lead you into controlling or dominating the conversation.

1. Find out if they are employees or consultants and build your strategy accordingly:
   a. Employees – Not always but happens quite often that they think they are superior to you irrespective of the knowledge level. They could be rude to you and may turn you down for job-insecurity.
   Strategy: Do everything that you would do with the Less knowledge/experience scenario. Try to be likable more than anything else.

b. Consultants – In general they will be persons with good knowledge/experience (that’s why they are there as consultants) and hence you should use the same strategy as with Good knowledge/experience scenario.

I have always found when the question: Tell us something about your self ? My answer: I would like to tell you about my self but WHERE would you like me to begin? It means that you do not waste time. I retired from EDD/ Ca.

This is very much 'spot on', as I have prepped and conducted many a interview. I have also been interviewed a ton in the past 3 decades. I also taught 'Targeted Selection' and have coached many people at all levels (mostly via my consulting work with LHH). Good advice and really do your homework (all of it and more), answer the question(s) presented, be organized and take notes, be ready and ask questions, and follow up (within 24 hours) with a 'thank you' note that also shows that you listened and caught the main issues and reinforce the key skills they need and you will provide.

@Emma - I think that the interview styles are pretty accurate. During my years in the workforce, I have encountered all of the styles. I think that you can tell, shortly into the interview, if the interviewer/hiring manager is really interested or if they are just playing the game. If they start asking probing questions, then they are probably interested in you. Maybe they do already have someone in mind and they just have to go through the process because HR said that they must but most companies won't waste their time interviewing just because HR told them that they have to interview X number of candidates.

Very Useful!

Very informative and useful, Thank you.

Does any of this interview style really works. I think now a days you almost have to know someone. It appears to me that although you answer the questions on related interview, hiring managers seems to just go through the process as formal hiring when they already have someone in mind specially when the pay rate is $20.00 and up per hour. Also,

@Jacqui - totally agree. Always go with your gut. If you are not comfortable in that environment, get out - fast! In my lifetime I have encountered all four and have usually been right about my judgment. For me, the worst was the disinterested interviewer because I felt that I had to carry the conversation/interview. Terrible! And the hardest one to judge is the conversational one because, as you said, you feel drawn in - like you just found your newest best friend. Scary! You are right - go with your gut. In today's economy it's hard to tell someone NOT to take a position but it doesn't do anyone any good to take a position knowing that it's not going to work. If the front man is aggressive, you can pretty much bet that you will encounter that some attitude throughout the company. Good for you for not taking it!!!!

I find that most jobs I've had an interview for had the conversational interviewer. I find these types of interviews are hard to gauge. You feel as though you've hit it off with the interviewer, but then leave wondering if it was really you, or if she is like that with everyone. Once I had the aggressive interviewer, felt a little intimidated throughout the interview and left thinking that I definitely didn't get the job. I got a call a few days saying if I was still interested, the job was mine. I had to decline, I couldn't see myself working for a company with such "aggressive" behaviour. Go with your gut. Just because you're offered a job, doesn't mean it's best suited for you.

@Diane - I agree with you. I don't really like the idea of "branding" myself, either. I want to be me whether on an interview or just on the job. I am not sure who came up with the concept of branding but I feel that, by doing this, you have limited your exposures.

Love the article.

Thanks for including "consider whether you want to work a company" during/after the interview, not just whether they want YOU or not. As a journalist, I'm used to interviewing others, but even if I were interviewing them for an investigative piece, I would do so politely and with an open mind. I'm VERY uncomfortable with the idea of "branding" oneself like a product. Employees work for a living and to do the job well, hopefully, but is anyone else uncomfortable with trying to reshape their "image" (other than being polite and respectful and engaged in the interview and truthfully explaining their qualifications) as if we are turning ourselves into what sounds like a robotic version of the company's brand? Yes, employers are trying to determine if you would be a good fit in the job and with the company, but all companies tend to have a mix of personalities on staff - to to deal with the mix of personalities of their customers. As a journalist, I've interviewed ordinary people to convicted felons the same way - politely - because I'm not on a jury, I'm telling their version of their story with additional information from records and others. Just because a company doesn't want to have to do too much hiring and rehiring shouldn't mean job-hunters should be interviewed as if they might be felons or work-slackers. They can determine that by checking your references etc. Doesn't anybody else NOT like to alter their personality radically for a job interview. I ask this because I am a journalist who does not use the aggressive reporter mode - I've found being polite as

Something that this article didn't mention about the Sales Pitch interview is that the interviewer may literally be trying to sell you on something. As a recent grad I applied for several position with deceptive titles such as “marketing dept. trainee”, “service representative”, “customer relations advocate”, “advertising and promotions specialist” or something similar. Soon after submitting my application I would receive a very enthusiastic phone call inviting me to an interview. When I arrived to the office there would be a large conference room with 5 to 20 other applicants all waiting their turn to be interviewed. After a while a very jovial energetic man would come to the front of the room introduce himself, engage everyone in some friendly chatter, talk about the company, and all the benefits of the position and without even realizing it we've all just sat through an hour long sales presentation. It turns out that the “job” we all unknowingly applied for was that of a 100% commission based independent sales rep. In addition, we have pay up front to take required training classes, obtain certifications, and use company assets which will are necessary in making sales.
I realize my experience isn't the Sales Pitch Interview that the writer of the article was referring to but this kind of bait and switch happens in this economy, especially with inexperienced/desperate job seekers. My point is to be weary of the Sales Pitch; if the employer has to resort to duplicitous infomercial tactics to sell candidates on taking a position maybe there’s a good reason it wasn't advertised honestly in the first place.

Thomas J.G.--I feel you could have still stayed on that job if you would have stood your ground. I would have never resigned when you say you had the HR and Dept Mgr in your pocket! But if you don't like a job its better to move.

When I initially was interviewed for a position, I was informed that it would be for a day-shift position. I was counting on that to be the case because I tutored various academic subjects, a couple of hours a day, right after work.

But when the Dept. Mgr. interviewed me in a secondary interview, he informed me that he would prefer that I be "flexible" to work both the day shift and the second shift. I had informed him of my in availability to work the second shift do to being self-employed, as a tutor. And I generally tutor to my clients in the late afternoon and early evening.

Furthermore, none of my clients are available during the day shift because they're generally attending classes.

He seemed to understand and agreed to notify the HR Dept. to hire me for the day shift.

But after being in the position for only about 2 Mos., the Dept. Mgr. had informed me that since another staff member who was about to leave his second shift position, I was to fill that vacancy.

I reminded the Dept. Mgr. of my unavailability. Plus I asked, if I was to fill the second shift vacancy, wouldn't H/R need to hire someone else to fill my day shift position? He told me, yes.

So as politely as possible, I suggested, why not simply request that the second shift vacancy be filled with a new hire. That way, it wouldn't interfere with my after work tutoring.

He was being quite adamant about changing my work schedule.

I decided at the time to notify the H/R Mgr. about the situation. He had informed me that I had been hired permanently for the day shift. And the Dept. Mgr. was not to transfer me to any other shift, unless I agreed.

To cut to the chase, since the Dept. Mgr. had been so insisted on the schedule switch, I had decided to resign.

Besides, my P/T tutoring offered me double the amount income that what I was earning from that F/T day job!

Personally speaking, I was told by an H/R Assistant Mgr., I was better qualified for the Dept. Mgr. than the individual who was put in that position.

I didn't say anything at the time. But if H/R knew this beforehand, why didn't H/R terminate his services? And either offer me or another person this guys job?

I have no regrets in leaving that job!

a few suggestions from one who interviews: Men - always wear a white long sleeve button down collar shirt with a conservative tie, and make sure it is pressed or ironed properly. Women - wear a dress slightly above the knee, or business suit, navy blue or tan impresses. Don't wear excessive jewelry. Body piercings in an executive position is not a good thing. Know some basic math, especially for sales positions, percentages. okay, best to all and remember you will succeed, it just takes some time and patience.

i have recently been on an interview where my interviewer looked completely uninterested. She would ask a question, then look around the building. it got soo bad, that the woman asked me the same question twice, I thought she wanted a different answer.. very strange.

I've had conversational interviews and the sales pitch (lol! Totally left that one thinking if I need a chiropractor I'll know where to go). Disinterested was when i was way underqualified and interviewer realized it right away (guess I got good at writing cover letters though). But the aggressive type I haven't had yet. Which kind of fields is that most common in? My guess is Wall Street banker or sales and marketing?

I always feel confident in my abilities for the job in Which I'm applying for. I also.. look the person in the eye before I greet the person with a firm hand shake. Sometimes. . That within it self can be intimidating sometimes to that person interviewing you.. for fear of their job... not always but.. I have encountered that as well... or.... recognize your strong personality and.. not.. give you any consideration also..for fear you may have the ability to influence other's. .. sad... but... also VERY TRUE..

I've had two recent interviews that are conducted by multiple interviewers . One was five on one and the other was at least twelve employees all with different styles of interviewing, often asking the same questions worded differently. Very difficult to maintain calm in what is already a stressful process.