Keeping Your Cool During a Difficult Interview

Have you ever had an interview from Hell? The type of interview that made you either want to throw a few harsh words at the interviewer – or maybe even an interview chair? Many job seekers have found themselves in difficult interviewing situations because either the interviewer was crude and crass by nature, or the company was purposefully using inappropriate questions as a way to gauge consummate professionalism.

So how do you handle this uncomfortable situation? What can you say when an interviewer has said something that is particularly offensive to you? There are ways to make this negative situation as positive as possible. Let’s look at a few tips to consider.

Keep Your Cool

The first rule in dealing with a difficult interviewer is remembering to keep your cool. It’s possible that you could be hit with a question that is so personally offensive that it could strike a nerve that you didn’t know you had.

If you’re asked a question that simply sets your temper into orbit, take a quick moment to regroup. If you were given a glass of water, this is a good time to take a quick sip then think of your answer. The answer may be simply that you have no comment on that question. However, you don’t want the answer to be, "Are you crazy?" or "What is wrong with you?" If the interviewer is doing this on purpose, he wants to know that you can keep your cool. So try your best to do just that.

Think of It as a Test

You may not know for sure whether you’re being tested or "Punk’d", but either way, it’s good to think of difficult interviews in this manner. If you’re a person who loves a challenge, then you can use this situation as a way to overcome yet another challenge. Keep a stone face and answer difficult or shock questions, such as "What do you think of these evil terrorists?" in the most straightforward and politically correct manner possible.

For instance, you might mention that you make it a point to never discuss personal politics in the workplace because everyone has different beliefs and you don’t want to offend anyone. You might even follow up your answer with a clever segue way into how you handle workplace politics in a professional and fair manner then go into an example of a dispute or problem that you were able to resolve with a customer or coworker. With this approach, you will successfully pass your test.

Have a Friend Help You Prepare

One way to avoid being side-swiped by a difficult interview is preparing for one ahead of time. You can do this by having a friend come up with some of the craziest, most offensive questions out there. You can actually have fun with coming up with clever answers that help you maintain professionalism. This way, no question will shock you when you have an actual interview.

Nowadays, you might expect companies to try all types of strategies to narrow down applicants, so it’s best to be prepared for anything. If you succeed, you’ll know you’re not only ready for more interviews, but also tough situations in the workplace.

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