Taking into account that the purpose of a job interview is to test the suitability of a candidate for a job, and give them the chance to do well, you should make every effort to allow people to perform at their best.
Sometimes though, we see candidates come through the door who appear to be a total nervous wreck. It’s entirely OK to be nervous going into a job interview, they are nerve-wracking situations and the outcome can have a dramatic effect on the direction of travel for the candidate involved.
Many people would describe themselves as introverts and would find the idea of sitting down and being the focus of attention from several strangers to be something that they would find difficult. There are a great many people who feel like this and some just hide it better than others.
We've set out below a few ideas for strategies to deal with these situations which you can try next time you're faced with a flustered and terrified looking interviewee:
- Break the ice – say or do something to help ease their nerves, either as you meet them at reception or before the formalities start in the interview room. Being welcoming and taking the time to start talking informally about the weekend, the weather or even something interesting to help ease the tension can be really appreciated by the interviewee.
- Mention that they seem a little nervous – it might seem harsh, but this can open the way for you to explain how lovely, warm, relaxed or friendly you and your fellow interviewers are, so there’s no need for nerves. Injecting some humour into that conversation can also go a long way to improving the situation. If you can get them smiling or laughing you are doing well and they will begin to feel more comfortable.
- If the above fail, it’s important that as you head into the interview, you take account of their nerves as proceedings get underway. If they stutter, become tongue-tied or dry up, suggest that they have a drink of water (which you kindly prepared beforehand) and take their time to answer the question. Don’t try and finish their sentences, but instead let them go at their own pace.
Try to remember that you are there to get the best from them and that you should be doing everything in your power to nurture and help them along so that you get to see the qualities that won them the interview in the first place.
- Finally, make the interview as conversational as possible. Firing a series of questions at a candidate won’t help them relax, but treating the interview like a conversation can really improve things – it may feel more informal, but it will still give you the opportunity to find out what you need to know about the candidate, albeit in a slightly different way.
A more conversational style is no less an interview than the normal format, as long as you glean the information that you need from it.
