Re:Ask HN: How do I prep for interviews, and stay calm before?
by andymurd on Wednesday February 25, 2015 @01:15AM
(#9105541)
Heh, that's exactly how I got my last job.
As you note, there are interviewers that want to gauge how a candidate will react under pressure (as if a job interview wasn't enough pressure already). It's a strong signal that the company has some problems, if "ability to work under pressure" is a job requirement.
Another trick is that management/finance/accounting/legal consultancies will often arrange a "social" evening for candidates, including alcohol. If you find yourself in such a situation, you know how you should behave but you can guarantee that someone will mess up.
One last point, when I conduct a technical interview, I often will attempt to gauge a candidate's depth of knowledge in a particular subject. That means I will ask harder and harder questions until there is one that the candidate cannot answer. Please note that "I don't know but..." is the perfect answer and often leads to a great conversation about related tech or work experience that might just land you the job. Trying to make up some BS answer will not.
As you note, there are interviewers that want to gauge how a candidate will react under pressure (as if a job interview wasn't enough pressure already). It's a strong signal that the company has some problems, if "ability to work under pressure" is a job requirement.
Another trick is that management/finance/accounting/legal consultancies will often arrange a "social" evening for candidates, including alcohol. If you find yourself in such a situation, you know how you should behave but you can guarantee that someone will mess up.
One last point, when I conduct a technical interview, I often will attempt to gauge a candidate's depth of knowledge in a particular subject. That means I will ask harder and harder questions until there is one that the candidate cannot answer. Please note that "I don't know but..." is the perfect answer and often leads to a great conversation about related tech or work experience that might just land you the job. Trying to make up some BS answer will not.