Interview Tips: Coping with Stress and Adversity

You've been out of work for a while and feeling a bit defeated. Don't let that get in your way during an interview! Here are some things professional interviewers look for during the interview to evaluate how you cope with stress and adversity.

Remember Who You Are Talking to During the Interview. Recruiters are often amazed at what candidates will openly talk about during an interview. Today's economic stress seems to make people feel they can complain to anyone, anywhere, all the time about how bad things are. A good candidate should know how to focus the conversation and take it into a positive direction. If you are negative and whiney in an interview they will expect you to be a whiny employee.

Ability to Recover from Failure. A good interviewer will ask about past failures and pay close attention to  your  perspective on the failure. Do not say it was all someone else's fault. Are you the victim? Be frank and open about the circumstances. 

Ability to Endure Stress. If you were laid-off from your last position they may probe your attitude about the cuts. Unexpected changes, bad news and stressful events are simply part of life and part of business. They will also probe how you dealt with the aftermath.

Remain as calm. If you're not sure what's been asked ask for clarification and remember that is okay to take a moment or two to frame your responses to ensure you can fully answer the question.

Do you have some interview tips? Add your comment.

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