The cost of mis-hiring is huge, so companies are beginning to consider various perspectives when they hire a candidate. Stress interviews are an offbeat way to see how candidates react to unusual circumstances under pressure. It is a deliberate construction of an unfriendly environment in the interview to subject a potential employee to a pressurised situation and study his response.
The process is an integral opportunity for the employer to learn more about the candidate and see how he will perform or think under pressure. It focuses on situations that the candidates may face during their tenures in the organisation. Every interview is different. There may be multiple rounds of interviews that are conducted in-person, with a group or virtually over a phone.
A stress interview consists of questions that are out of context, show contempt, involve hostile body language by interviewer and rapid questions without waiting for answers. The questions may often be picked out from the candidate's CV and the candidate is then probed further. The questions are probing in nature i order to catch the candidate off guard. Some employers also opt for interviews over lunch to test the candidate's behaviour in a non-official environment.
Employers may also require you to take a test, provide writing samples or present a portfolio of your work. Tips to prepare for a stress interview :
•Prepare well for the interview to reduce anxiety. Know about the company and job responsibilities. Visit the company's website, for it can provide an overview of the company.
•Be prepared to explain about accomplishments achieved, both that appear on your resume as well as the ones that do not.
•Anticipate questions that the employer will ask you and practice being interviewed. This will help you frame your answers well and rehearse your responses to questions.
•In case of any doubt about the question, request for clarification and answer in accordance. Do not take offence of the interviews behavior or question. Don’t feel any compunction about asking questions to get clarification; sometimes, this is exactly what’s expected of you.
•Communicate what you’re thinking and doing. State assumptions, and ask for unknown information. Also, focus on the way in which you’re solving the problem, not necessarily the “right” answer.
•Be open, honest and direct. Stand your ground and don’t get intimidated. Being argumentative or reactive will not help. Rise to the challenge and respond in a confident, and professional manner, yet keep your calm. Stress interview is conducted to gauge your soft skills and hence one can’t crack under pressure.
The writer is Satya D Sinha, CEO, MANCER Consulting