X

As of March 7, in-person services will be available at all JVS Toronto locations. Services will also continue to be available virtually. For more information about our services and safety procedures, click here.

JVS Toronto

DONATE
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Funders & Donors
    • Annual Reports & Financials
    • FAQs
  • Find a Job
    • Employment Source
    • Workshop Calendar
    • Career Exploration
    • Disability Services
    • Jewish Community Services
    • Newcomer Services
    • Youth Services
    • Job Search Resources
  • Pre-Arrival
  • Employers
  • Assessments
    • Educational & Learning
    • ASD Assessments
    • Psychology Services
    • Vocational & Skills
  • Refugee Resources
  • Give Back
    • Donate
    • Send an E-Card
    • Volunteer
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Donate

September 12, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask Our Employment Specialist: How do I handle a bad interviewer?

Drawing of a typewriter with the words "Dear Employment Specialist"

Dear Employment Specialist,

I am very upset about my interview today. I was so prepared, dressed professionally and was ready for any question with a perfect handshake! Unfortunately, I got the feeling that the person interviewing me was the opposite. He seemed unprepared and inexperienced.

How do I handle such an interviewer?

Signed: Perfect Handshake (PH)


Dear PH,

As Will Kerr states in his blog, sometimes a bad job interview doesn’t mean you were a bad job interviewee. It is a good idea to recognize the traits of a bad interview, suggests Kerr, so that “you can take action to make sure that, in spite of them, you still manage to give the best possible account of yours.”

Kerr presents the following three traits of a poor interviewer and tips for handling them:

1. An interviewer who does all the talking.

This could be a sign of an experienced interviewers who know exactly what are looking for and are trying to weed out those candidates who cannot speak up, when hiring, for example, for a sales position. On the other hand, an inexperienced interviewers could be talking endlessly because of nervousness, not being prepared, or a lack of understanding of their role. Your responsibility, as an interviewee is, even if your interviewer doesn’t seem interested in your skills, make sure that they have the necessary evidence to make an informed choice  when making a job offer.

2. An under-prepared interviewer.

I agree that it is upsetting to go into an interview when the interviewer is not clear on who you are, and isn’t particularly familiar with your resume. In some cases, where a department is trying to fill multiple vacancies simultaneously, it’s not uncommon for an interviewer to be confused as to which role the candidate in front of them is actually applying. In this case, interviewers may be distracted by many other concerns, and recruitment might not be their primary responsibility. In some cases remember that, in giving your answers, you cannot assume the level of knowledge from your interviewer that you may have expected, so if you give information regarding something listed on your resume, make sure they actually know what you’re talking about. If you really feel the situation is hopeless, do not be afraid to ask if they would prefer to reschedule — make sure to pose the question in a polite manner. If it has come to that, you don’t really have anything to lose.

3. An overly-aggressive interviewer.

This is a trait of people who are placed in an uncomfortable situation – Kerr suggests that they respond by “bluffing bravado”. Inexperienced interviewers could definitely fall into this behaviour. If you are feeling that your interviewer is on the attack and keeps interrupting you through your response or openly contradicts you, you should (as the British say) keep calm and carry on. Even if it’s a deliberate ploy, or a sign or nerves. One great way of doing this is to have a glass of water to hand. Even if you’re not thirsty, taking a sip is a great way to give yourself a little time to keep your cool and order your thoughts.

Good luck on those interviews!


Joanna Samuels B.Ed. (Adult Education), M.Ed., CMF, CTDP, RRP is a certified Life Skills Coach, and certified Personality Dimensions Facilitator who works at JVS Toronto as a Job Developer/Job Coach/Workshop Facilitator. Also, Joanna is a part-time instructor of employment counselling with people with disabilities at George Brown College.

By Karin Lewis Filed Under: Career Voice: Blog Tagged With: interviewer, job interview

Jump-start Your Job Search

Jump-start Your Job Search - Sidebar

Upcoming Events

  • There are no upcoming events.

Sign up for our Career Advice Newsletter

Career Advice Newsletter - Sidebar

JVS Toronto Head Office

74 Tycos Drive
Toronto, ON
M6B 1V9

T: 416-787-1151
E: services@jvstoronto.org

More Information

  • Careers at JVS Toronto
  • Customer Service Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • JVS Insider Login

Follow Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • linkedin
  • youtube

Copyright © 2022 · JVS Toronto

IPLAN PRACTICE Eligibility Requirements
  • Open to Permanent Residents, Canadian Citizens, or Convention Refugees
  • High level of English-language proficiency (CLB 7/8). Enhanced language training is available to applicants, if needed, prior to starting the program
  • Degree in architecture from a university outside Canada
  • OAA Intern Architects eligible to write the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC)**

 

*Note:

  • The practice of architecture in Ontario is governed by the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA). All individuals who are internationally trained in the field of architecture, or who have held the status of architect in another jurisdiction must contact the OAA or visit the OAA website at www.oaa.on.ca for current information about licensing requirements and the licensing process in Ontario.
  • JVS Toronto is not a licensing body in Ontario.
  • The Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) is the sole organization recognized by the architectural profession in Canada to:
    • Assess the educational qualifications of architecture graduates;
    • Accredit professional degree Programs in architecture offered by Canadian Universities; and
    • Certify the professional qualifications of Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects.
  • Architectural services may only be offered through a Certificate of Practice issued by the OAA.

**The content of this program has not been reviewed or endorsed by the Committee for the Examination for Architects in Canada (CExAC). The ExAC is an experience based exam. It is the practical application of knowledge acquired through education and readings that will support examination success. Taking this program without applying the knowledge gained through practice may not result in examination success.

TRIEC Mentoring Partnership Eligibility Requirements

You should sign up for the program if you:

  • Have 2+ years of international experience in your professional field
  • Have lived in Canada for less than five years
  • Are unemployed or underemployed and looking to use your professional skills in Canada