Stress interviews are the interviews typically used to determine how people react during uncomfortable, stressful, and unexpected circumstances. These interviews are generally conducted while filling stressful jobs requiring constant adaption to new circumstances. Many interviewers do this to determine how candidates react without adequate preparation. Most Common Stress Interview Tactics by an Interviewer-
Employ painful or aggressive questioning- This tactic is designed to test your interview skills and assess your ability to address issues that are uncomfortable or agonizing to talk about. Often a direct or an unexpected question is asked such as "why were you fired from your previous job?"
Adopting an aggressive attitude or behavior- This tactic is sometimes used to gauge how well you deal with aggression and fault finding behaviors.
Repeating the same question multiple times- to test your patience.
Conduct brainteaser or puzzle interviews- to test your ability to produce a logical and accurate estimation, thought processing, analytical skills and ability to reason.
Case interviews test- to come up with a solution and explanation to test your analytical and communication skills, logic, knowledge of relevant business issues and concepts.
Other Stress Interview Techniques
The common behaviors exhibited by interviewers during stress interviews:
Asking uncomfortable questions
Excessive note taking
Acting hostile toward candidates
Appearing uninterested
Purposely refraining from eye contact with candidates
Constantly interrupting candidates
Pausing for extended periods of time
Asking similar questions
Purposely delaying interviews
How to Respond to Stress Interview Questions
Don’t lose your calm and strength, and respond amicably to an irritating question as you would any other, and you will display the ability to remain composed and handle stressful situations.
Follow these strategies to efficiently answer the questions:
Always act professionally, and keep your calm.
Be open, honest, direct and polite.
Trust your capabilities and refrain from being offended.
Don't let the situation or interviewer emotionally intimidate you
Answer all questions clearly and do not get confused on responses if you did not provide the right answer.
Remember that Interviewers are interested to see how you handle criticism.
You can by time by clarifying the question asked the nature of the answer desired.
Instead of focusing on the "right" answer, be logical and go about solving the problem.