You’d think that during an interview, everyone in the room would be paying attention. After all, there is a lot at stake for the candidate, hiring manager, work team and the company. Unfortunately, distractions are common, and there is nothing more frustrating for a job seeker than a distracted interviewer.
Fodder for a Scott Adams cartoon? Maybe. Here are several real scenarios from recent job seekers:
A) During William’s one-on-one interview for a project management position, the hiring manager’s cell phone repeatedly interrupted the conversation. He eventually set it to vibrate but each time it rang, he looked down to see who called. At one point he said, “I have to take this one… it might be important.” William thought, “Yeah, so is my interview. No secret why you need a project manager.”
B) Rene was interviewed by a “tag team” –the HR rep. and the hiring manager. After a question from each, the hiring manager pulled out a thick document and began editing it. Since they were all at a small table it was obvious to Rene that the report had nothing to do with her interview. She thought, “Are you seriously going to use this time to catch up on other work?”
C) Jason spent the first 15 minutes of an interview listening to the owner describe his small software development company. Someone knocked on the door, the owner got called away and he never returned. Jason didn’t get to discuss his skills. After 20 minutes in the empty office he wondered, “Is this a test? Is there a two-way mirror? Should I just leave?”
D) Rebecca met in a large conference room with an interviewing panel of six people, none of which were the hiring manager. She tried to make eye contact with everyone. During the interview two people had several side conversations and at one point started laughing. No one from the interview team stopped them. The side conversations threw Rebecca off her game.
Distracted interviewers can be mildly annoying to downright rude. Maybe you’re of a mind to cut them some slack. Anyone can get busy, right? It would feel more satisfying to put them in their place, point out the bad behavior, spit a mouthful of sarcasm and storm out. Usually professionalism wins and you bite one more hole in your tongue. And there’s that other small thing…you want the job!
So what can you do to make YOU the priority over the distractions?
- Expect the unexpected. You can’t prepare for every outcome. S*&@ happens. Don’t let it throw you.
- Have a “distraction response” ready. “It seems like you have a lot on your plate today. Can we reschedule when you have more time?”
- Empathize and attempt to refocus the interviewer. “It sounds like your days are filled with distractions. Here’s what I do to keep my focus…” Probe cautiously to see if distractions are “business as usual” in this work environment.
- Use silence to your advantage. Stop answering a question and wait for a respond. When you get the interviewer’s attention again ask, “Did I address your question?” or, “Do you need a break to take care of other business before we continue?”
- Use humor, but keep sarcasm in check.
When distractions completely short circuit an interview, have a plan for recovery. All is not lost.
- Follow up by phone or in person. Be assertive. “We didn’t get the opportunity to discuss… at our last meeting. I’d like to spend a few minutes with you to review (xyz).
- Send information by email or snail mail that’s not on your resume –brief case scenarios of past projects, a graphic describing your value, a newsworthy article, information resources that might interest the hiring manager, or your approach to solving a problem the company faces
- Use your network to your advantage. Keep track of everyone that is involved in the interview process. Is there someone in that group that can help you reengage? Do you know someone outside that knows someone inside the company? Can they offer tips for handling the situation?
- Bookmark the Dilbert site. It won’t help with your interview, but it’ll make you laugh and wonder why you wanted to work there in the first place!
