Ever had someone interview you who didn't really know how to interview people? I have. It's painful. And it's painful on both ends -- for the interviewer and interviewee.
So what are you to do if you end up with a poor interviewer? Yahoo has some suggestions on this issue. Here are the highlights:
Ask your interviewer what qualities he thinks the ideal candidate for this position would have.
Be direct and to the point. Make eye contact at all times. Talk specifically about how you have the skills and knowledge for the position. Do not ramble or your interviewer could lose interest.
Inquire as to how he came to work at the company, ask him how he likes it. Ask about where he started his career and what attracted him to this particular industry or area of expertise. Try to discover what his professional aspirations are.
If you still need to buy more face time with your interviewer, ask for a tour of the offices or facility. Again, ask questions along the way, even if it's about how long the company has been at that particular location.
These are some good thoughts IMO. Here's what I can add on how I've dealt with this issue in the past:
1. Thankfully, I haven't had that many interviewers who were totally clueless -- only a couple. But boy were they completely clueless!!!
2. Asking about them, their interests, their thoughts and so on generally works well. It loosens them up a bit and sets them up for the primary purpose of the interview (foe me)...
3. I then "go politician" on them: no matter what they ask, I always eventually get back to what I want to talk about -- my accomplishments, my strengths, why I'm the best person for this job, etc.
4. If these don't work, the person is a lost cause. At that point, I simply ask them my final question (am I the best person for this job?) and if so, we're ready to move on. If not, I try to address their concerns, but it's doubtful if they'll "get it" or not at this point.
5. Thankfully, if someone is this far out of it, it's likely that the hiring manager knows that he's that far out of it and won't take his advice as a killer if the interviewer hates you. Sure, it could be a tie breaker if everything else is equal, but everything else is never equal, so don't kill yourself if you just can't get through to someone who's seemingly from another planet.
I have only been in that type of a situation only one time and I hope never to be again!
Posted by: Ray | April 07, 2009 at 02:58 PM
I've had interviewers who "was told by the manager to ask a few puzzles"! Many don't have a clue about the position for which they are interviewing you. Now, I first ask what they can tell me about the job - that either resets the interviewers approach towards you and you can follow the tips above. Or you could give up on that job right there. Many like to show-off their own skills, asking how you would to solve the problems that a whole team of them just solved after struggling for days - this instead of asking me the toughest problem I have solved. I've seen many interviewers who just don't get the point of the interview. I have given up on many such jobs mid-way through the process even if the interview goes well, but maybe that's not the best approach. This world has more mediocre people than people like to believe. You have to play along. :)
Posted by: Jerry | April 08, 2009 at 12:43 PM
When someone asks me 'What are your three strengths and weaknesses?', I can tell they are not a great interviewer.
That is one of the worst questions ever.
Not much you can do but patiently answer the silly questions and hope for the best.
I sometimes turn it around and start asking my own questions.
Posted by: TStrump | April 11, 2009 at 08:49 PM