Don't be Quick to Write Off an Arduous Interview

During the course of a job search, many professionals endure a tough job interview. After — or during — an arduous interview, it can be tempting to write off the job. Before you give up hope, consider how the interview might be serving your career. According to recent research, the most difficult interviews lead to happier employees and increased job satisfaction.

Tough Questions

Tough questions are a hallmark of a difficult job interview. When an interviewer spends time asking questions that feel unnecessary or too hard to answer, you may leave feeling attacked or doubted. The opposite is often true; employers that ask increasingly difficult questions are likely interested in you as a candidate. By digging deeper, the interviewer is gauging your level of insight, skill and knowledge. A quick interview that includes only surface-level questions, on the other hand, usually indicates disinterest.

Test of Skills

For employers, it can be a challenge to determine your skill level from a resume and cover letter alone. Unless the hiring process includes a testing component, the job interview is the employer's only chance to gauge your abilities. The process often includes situational questions that require you to come up with a comprehensive plan on the fly, with little to no preparation. The pressure can make for an extremely difficult interview. Although you might feel inadequate, skills questions are often a positive sign. They also give you the chance to show your skills in critical thinking, problem solving and communication.

Group Interviews

A panel interview can be an intimidating experience. After an hour of interrogation by a company's leadership, you might walk out feeling exhausted and confused about your performance. Don't waste time analyzing each person's reaction during or after a group job interview; a frown or an expression of boredom doesn't necessarily have anything to do with you. In fact, group interviews often happen near the end of the hiring process, when the employer wants the approval of the company leadership.

Job Satisfaction

According to a recent study by Glassdoor, an arduous interview is a positive sign of things to come. Study participants found that a tough job interview correlates with increased job satisfaction. The reasons are not clear, but research indicates that when an employer grills a candidate, it is often because he is trying to find the right fit for the candidate. Because a hard interview gets to the heart of your abilities and preferences, it can help the employer place you in a job that challenges and satisfies you.

Although a tough job interview can feel like the end of the line, it is often a positive sign. An employer that takes the time to investigate you and your abilities on a deeper level is usually interested in you as a candidate; understanding this process can make it easier to make a strong impression.

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