Although it has to be said that the stress interview is the most harrowing of all for job candidates, for employers it can be a highly effective way to test the reactions and responses of applicants who are being interviewed for positions in which they are likely to face very challenging situations. Rather than just calmly asking interviewees how they would deal with situations involving anger or even downright hostility (such as might be encountered by those in customer service), a stress interview is actually designed to present them with strong emotions and it truly puts them on the spot because it is typically unexpected.

In stress interviews, the interviewer deliberately assumes an attitude that is angry, bullying, critical and often downright rude. He cross-examines and challenges candidates’ ideas and beliefs to see how they will react, whether they will “rise to the bait” and become defensive or critical in response, whether they will break down in tears, or whether they will back down or hold their own.

Although an entire interview can be carried out using the stress technique, many recruiters find it useful to introduce an element of stress by using the “good cop, bad cop” routine.  In this scenario, one interviewer takes a friendlier attitude and sticks with the normal situational and behavioral questions while the other attempts to goad the candidate with inflammatory questions and remarks.

This may be very useful when you make your next hire.

Until next time,

Chuck Trautman