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4 Job Interviewer Personality Types You May Meet

November 25th, 2013

In your quest for a new job, you are very likely to meet some interesting folks who will be interviewing you. Each interviewer is as unique as a snowflake, each having his or her own personality and preferences. This means you will want to prepare ahead of time by becoming familiar with the most common styles of interviewers.

Here is a brief list of the varying types of interviewers you may encounter and how to get ready for each style of interviewing.

1. No-Nonsense Interviewer

This is the interviewer who has been around the block a few times, having interviewed a lot of candidates over the years. Working as efficiently as possible, this interviewer will have a list of 5-10 job related interview questions that will include a mix of behavioral, situational, and industry specific questions to ask you.

Be ready and be on your toes with this interviewer, because one stray comment or poorly answered question will weigh heavily on the hiring decision. Practice answering some of the most common questions and learn as much as you can about the company in advance.

2. Casual Friendly Interviewer

When you meet this type of interviewer, you will note that this person tries to become your BFF in the first few minutes of the meeting. He or she will have a casual way about things, often joking or smiling at you. But don’t be fooled. The whole point of this interviewer’s demeanor is to get you to feel comfortable enough to spill your guts.

Instead, while remaining friendly and professional, share the information about yourself that you feel comfortable with and as relevant to the job at hand. In other words, remain focused on the job and not in making best buds.

3. Distracted and Unprepared

This is the interviewer who arrives late, comes in holding a printed list of interview questions, and seems as if he or she has better things to do. Maybe there is a lot of pressure to interview as many people as possible, or maybe the boss is breathing down their neck. Either way, you will have to take the reins in this interview.

Do two things — first ask the person if they would be more comfortable scheduling a follow-up interview when things are less harried. Second, try to maintain your efforts on talking about the job itself and how you will be an asset to the company. While the distracted interviewer may forget everything you are saying, at least you are making an effort to put your best foot forward.

4. Interrogation Interviewer

Similar to the No-Nonsense Interviewer, this is a seasoned interviewer or manager who has a strategy when walking into the meeting room. He or she may be a senior member of management or an experienced recruiter with one goal in mind – to hire the person who answers all the questions well, is professional, and has the right qualities for the company. You will need to be focused on the job, have some keen knowledge of the company, and be ready to answer every interview question with ease.

Get prepared by making a list of the most common tough interview questions you may be asked and practice with a friend. Gain some insight about the company by connected with insiders via social media. Show a genuine interest in the company by understanding the industry challenges faced.

While these are just a few possible types of interviewers you may meet on the other side of the interviewing table, it’s always good to be prepared for an interview by showing up early, well-dressed and groomed,  and speaking clearly and concisely throughout the interview.

Our recruiters are prepared and ready to work with you on landing an interview with a great employer. If you are looking for employment agencies in Suwanee, contact us today.

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