How to deal with the monstrous job interviewer

Halloween is here, and kids are psyched for sugar rushes and scary costumes. However, throughout the year, job seekers face their own kind of trick-or-treating: the job interview. And whether it’s in person or on video, you’ll probably find at least a few interviewers acting like monsters.

Scared? don’t be We have your back.

The soul-sucking vampire

They are the type to bombard you with an endless stream of questions. You find yourself trapped, either staring awkwardly at a webcam or locked inside the claustrophobic walls of a small conference room, your eyes fixed on a stark white wall.

It’s unnerving, as you feel like every word you say is met with skepticism. It’s as if your expertise and knowledge are constantly being questioned. Each question seems to sap your confidence and enthusiasm a little more, leaving you feeling exhausted and demoralized.

How to deal: “Answering question after question can be tiring, but if you want to land the job, you have to learn to talk about yourself and sell yourself,” said LinkedIn career expert Catherine Fisher. “If you’re dealing with tough questions about short tenures, career breaks, or potentially confusing career moves on your resume, be proactive and address every possible question. Share what you learned and how it helped inform where you want to go next.”

But “Don’t get cocky,” said Will Sanders, founder and CEO of online recruiting firm Recruiting from Scratch. It’s not unusual and leaves jobseekers in a bad spot when they have to back up their claims. “The manager will want to know if you really understand what you’re talking about.”

Scary clown

This interviewer keeps you on edge. Between the weird questions, weird statements, and funny jokes, you’re not sure who you’re talking to or how detailed your answers should be. Unpredictability confuses you. You’re not sure when they’re serious, testing your ability to adapt to strange situations, or if they’re checking for cultural fit.

How to deal: “Match the energy of the scary clown without losing your focus,” said Laurie Ruettimann, human resources consultant and author of “Bet on You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career” (Holt) . “Use humor strategically and keep your cool during shifts. Demonstrate that you can handle unpredictability, a critical skill in dynamic work environments.”

Kathy Caprino, career and leadership coach and author of The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss (HarperCollins Leadership), urged calm. “Be resilient and be yourself,” she said. “Give them what they want, but stay authentic.”

mummy

This interviewer is attached and lacks any visible emotion, appears detached or emotionally unresponsive. They may not react to your answers with much enthusiasm or show any warmth, making it difficult to gauge how the interview is going or if they are interested.

How to deal: This happens often, according to Sanders, and while it can feel confusing or even intimidating, “stay safe,” he said. Sanders also cautioned against giving long answers in hopes of saying something that resonates.

LinkedIn recently surveyed over 1,000 hiring managers and enthusiasm was the most important factor for them when considering a candidate. Why? Because “companies want to hire people who want to work there,” Fisher said. “Don’t get bogged down by wondering what your interviewer might be thinking; instead, focus on what you can do to convey how much you want the role.”

However, don’t go crazy. “Don’t bend over backwards to capture an emotional response, which can be counterproductive for you,” Caprino said. “Just because you don’t see a reaction doesn’t mean you’re not being heard.”

The wolf

This fickle interviewer wants to see how well you handle stress and pressure. They may throw curveball questions or push you outside of your comfort zone to see if you can keep your cool when the going gets tough.

How to deal: Don’t let the wolf have his way with you. “Keep calm and answer quickly. Show the wolf that chaos does not faze you,” said Ruettimann. “They’re testing your resilience. Prove that you thrive under pressure.”

Caprino warned against falling prey to the wolves’ attempts to distract you. “Stick to your message,” she said. “You want them to know about your skills and what you bring to the job.”

If your nervousness is bothering you, that’s okay.

“If you feel like you’re getting stumped by some of the questions, just remember to breathe and know that it’s okay to ask for clarification or a few minutes to think about an answer,” Fisher said. “The interviewer will appreciate a thoughtful answer rather than one that you rush into.”

Witches and wizards

This interviewer can create an enigmatic or slightly challenging environment. You may feel like there is something they are not telling you or that there is more going on behind the scenes. This can make you second-guess your answers, wondering if there’s a trick hidden in their questions.

How to deal: Ruettimann recommended engaging with care and caution. “Answer thoroughly, peeling back the layers of their questions,” she said. “Show that you are perceptive and ready to explore complexity, keeping you sharp for hidden challenges.”

Remember that in any case, you are interviewing the employer as much as they are interviewing you.

“Make sure you give them what you want them to know about you, if there’s not an opportunity to do that while you’re answering their questions,” Caprino said.