Hostile interviewee

Definition

A hostile interviewee is someone who exhibits resistance, aggression, or defensiveness during an interview, making it difficult for the interviewer to gather information. This type of interviewee may challenge questions, show signs of anger or frustration, or refuse to engage in the conversation altogether. Understanding how to navigate these interactions is essential for effective communication and successful interviewing.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hostile interviewees often react negatively to perceived challenges or threats, which can escalate tensions during the interview.
2. Building rapport before the interview can significantly reduce the likelihood of encountering a hostile interviewee by establishing trust and comfort.
3. Active listening techniques are essential when dealing with hostile interviewees, as they help to de-escalate situations and demonstrate respect for the interviewee's feelings.
4. Interviewers should prepare for hostility by anticipating potential triggers and having strategies ready to address them calmly and effectively.
5. The demeanor of the interviewer can influence the behavior of a hostile interviewee; maintaining a calm and respectful attitude can help to diffuse hostility.

Review Questions

• How can building rapport influence the behavior of a hostile interviewee during an interview?
  • Building rapport is crucial because it creates an atmosphere of trust and understanding between the interviewer and the interviewee. When rapport is established, a hostile interviewee may feel more comfortable expressing themselves and might be less likely to react defensively or aggressively. This connection can help ease tension and lead to a more productive conversation.
• Discuss techniques that an interviewer can use to handle a hostile interviewee effectively.
  • To handle a hostile interviewee effectively, an interviewer can use techniques such as active listening to show genuine interest in the interviewee's perspective. Additionally, maintaining a calm demeanor and using open-ended questions can encourage dialogue instead of confrontation. It’s also important for the interviewer to identify triggers that may lead to hostility and address them proactively, showing respect for the interviewee's feelings.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of failing to manage a hostile interviewee during an interview.
  • Failing to manage a hostile interviewee can lead to several long-term implications, including incomplete information gathering and damaged relationships. If hostility escalates without resolution, it may result in negative publicity or loss of credibility for the interviewer. Additionally, unresolved tension can discourage future cooperation from that interviewee or their associates, ultimately impacting the quality of information obtained in future interviews.

Related terms

Defensiveness: A psychological response characterized by a protective attitude that can manifest as hostility or aggression when an individual feels threatened.

Rapport: The mutual trust and understanding between the interviewer and interviewee, which can help ease tension and facilitate a more open conversation.

Active Listening:

A communication technique that involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what the interviewee says, which can be crucial when dealing with difficult interviewees.