Interview Tips Interview Tips, Interview Questions and Answers

5 Types of Interviewers

To give you a little extra help, here is a list of 5 types of interviewers you might encounter and how to deal with them.

1. The interrogator
What to expect: Question after question after question. The interrogator doesn't come to the interview ready for conversation. He has a list of questions to fire off and you had better be ready to answer them. Don't expect to receive a lot of helpful feedback to gauge how you're doing. Just expect more questions.
What to do: Watch episodes of "Law & Order" to prepare. You're going to feel defensive the entire time and might walk away from the interview feeling as if you did something wrong. Once you realize that your interviewer is going to lambaste you with questions, just focus on answering them and don't obsess over reading his reaction. You can try to initiate conversation with a few of your answers, but don't be surprised if those efforts fail. This interviewer wants to hear your answers and see how you handle yourself, so staying calm is the best approach you can take.

2. The one who has better things to do
What to expect: An interviewer checking her e-mail, looking at you but not paying any attention to what you say. Some people are forced to participate in the interview process even if they have no interest in doing it, so don't take it personally.
What to do: Answer the questions and be friendly. Try to hold conversations with this distracted interviewer and hope you can win her over -- hey, it can't hurt to have someone who likes you. But this interviewer either made up her mind before she walked into the room or doesn't intend to give much feedback about you, so do your best but don't take her disinterest personally.

3. The rule follower
What to expect: Every interviewing tip you've ever been told. Just like some students never imagine skipping a day of school or not doing homework, some interviewers can't imagine going outside of traditional business interviewing protocol. Boring questions and a stoic demeanor are this interviewer's best friend.
What to do: Be the best interviewee you can be. Do you know what your biggest weakness is? Do you know how to give the perfect handshake? Do you plan on wearing a conservative shirt under your jacket? You had better, because these by-the-book practices will earn you high marks.

4. The inappropriate one

What to expect: Cold sweats because you don't know what to do or say. Every once in awhile you will encounter an interviewer who doesn't understand limits. You might hear an inappropriate joke, a personal story that should be reserved for a therapist or a question that delves too deeply into your life. This interviewer probably isn't trying to be inappropriate; he just has no concept of boundaries.

What to do: Stay in your comfort zone. Just because this interviewer is ready to cry on your shoulder, don't feel pressured into doing the same. Answer what you want to answer and try to steer the conversation back to pertinent topics, such as the job requirements or your qualifications. The interviewer probably won't realize how off track he is and will follow your lead. Of course, if you think the questions cross a line, then you want to get out of there ASAP.

5. The no-nonsense one
What to expect: Tough love. This interviewer doesn't believe in sparing your feelings. He's honest and will waste neither his nor your time.
What to do: Brace yourself. This interviewer will say that he's not sure you're qualified or that he fears you won't fit in with everyone. Prove him wrong with evidence that you are perfect for the job. He won't respect someone who cowers, so be just as firm with him.