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Tackle the ’stress interview’ tactfully
The employee who can draw a sword and slay anxiety, the worker who can laugh at stress and work undeterred, unperturbed in the face of every pressure is what all organisations look for. Indeed, an employee who can work seamlessly, flowing with the momentum of work, despite looming deadlines and long hours is the perfect worker. The worker who has the skills and tenacity to hold a high-pressure job is the ideal employee. How do you find him, though? Skills and technical kno
wledge can be ascertained by a test. However, how does one test stress management? With stress management gaining importance and being recognised as intrinsic for performance, stress is also being tested. It’s the reign of the mean, intimidating, plain scary and attacking –stress interview.
An employee may have the skills to succeed at a job, but these skills are simply futile if he is bogged down by stress. Tackling stress is an essential skill otherwise no job gets done. Every company looks for stress-proof employees and the test begins at the interview itself. It’s not a regular interview, but is a battle ground, and it’s serious. A panel of interviewers literally shoot questions at the candidates. And no, you are not given time to finish. “Are you that slow?” you may be taunted and if you’re already wriggling, and hoping for respite, there isn’t any. It only gets worse. A volley of questions, are thrown at you. The interviewers follow no procedure or line of questioning, nor do they wait for pleasantries. They could even give you cold stares, and challenge your every capability. Stressed? That is the aim of these interviews.
Stress interviews are meant to generate anxiety and trouble. The idea is to put you on the spot. This is the new technique (mean, no doubt), of ascertaining if you can tackle stress and remain calm. The reason is that if you can remain calm in the interview without losing your cool then you are capable of handling a high-pressure job. That is the rationale and as mean and difficult as it seems, we just have to learn to encounter the situation well.
Be nice!
You’ve been intimidated, spoken rudely to, challenged, your capability has been questioned, and there is no space to breathe, no time to carefully explain yourself and what you want to do-be rude in return, walk away, cry, mumble and jumble, get sweaty palms and perspiring forehead. Well don’t. That is precisely what you are being tested for. So beware try not to fall into the trap. Always, always and always, be nice. No matter what is said, how strong and personal the challenge might be continue to be nice and as polite as you can. Let this be the guiding principle of the interview.
Play the game
Ultimately, it’s only a game aimed at challenging, scaring and intimidating and checking your levels of patience. Recognise this as soon as you can and play along. Remember it’s a game and nothing personal. With this attitude you won’t get worried and wonder what struck. As soon as you recognise that this is a stress interview, put your guard up, buckle up and stay focussed on the game. This is not about you but about the game. Once you understand that you won’t get stressed. Also considering it a game will help you maintain clarity of thought. Know that this is a game of intimidation, and you will not get scared. Thus, a distance is created and you can see through the trap and hence combat it, with ease.
It’s easy to want to be nice and not get scared, baffled and worried. But how does one actually implement this when the opposition is strong. Always stay calm, and take deep breaths. It’s ok to miss questions as long as you don’t show that you are perturbed. Take your time, focus, smile, reply slowly and carefully.
Your response is being tested here and that doesn’t mean just the quality and content of your answer. In a stress interview it’s your style of response that is also scrutinised. So remain focussed and relaxed.
Reply with ease
Yes, the answers matter but more for the agitation that they will or will not reflect. Focus on how you deliver your replies. Keep your tone pleasant; watch your volume. Smile, like you know what this is about, yet avoid appearing arrogant. Answer carefully, yet be firm, maintaining eye contact. Also don’t get defensive, hurt or try to prove yourself. Whether you agree or not, don’t challenge the interviewers. Say, ‘this is what I know, to the best of my ability’, when challenged. And state, ‘I am here to learn and grow with the organisation’. They can retort still, but stay calm and confident at all times. Don’t get pushed into a corner. Stay cool and exhibit your abilities. It will end. Don’t rush out of the room like a cyclone. Smile, say ‘Have a good day’ and walk away calmly with ease. Pat yourself on your back when it’s over. You deserve a treat!
Stress interviews aren’t fair and seem mean. But if they come your way, know that even this can be tackled; all you have to do is recognise them, play the game well. That’s really all it takes and even the mean stress interview will be won by a very cool, calm and confident you.
UZMA HYDER
faqs@cnkonline.com
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