Jan 15 2009
Nervousness in the Interview
Some people do get extremely nervous in the interview setting. Not just the sweaty palms syndrome, but so nervous they shake and studder, trying to get any words to come out. This is a challenge for the interviewer, who really wants to give this person a chance to show and tell about themselves and their skills.
Try to change things up a bit if you are interviewing someone who is petrified. If you are in a conference room and you think the environment is too austere, try moving to a small private office and sit at a round table.
Offer the applicant a glass of water. Some people get very dry throats from nervousness and would be comforted by the water close at hand. Talk first about non-consequential things like the weather, traffic or something funny that happened to you that day.
Smile and be as relaxed as you can and talk slowly. Ask them easy questions at the start of the interview which will help them to relax, when they see that they can respond easily.
If there is a language barrier and you are having trouble communicating, if possible, bring in an employee who can translate for them. This will be greatly appreciated by the applicant and will help them to relax even more.
Even though someone is very nervous during the interview, it need not be a strike against them from a job candidacy standpoint. Try to give this person every consideration. They obviously care a lot about the possibility of getting the job.
