Why are people so nervous (ill at ease) in job interviews?

Question

I am part of a team who are interviewing many candidates for employment for a large government contract. We have talked to almost 100 people. One thing that stands out in the process is how many people are incredibly nervous and ill at ease while interviewing for a job. Their ability to make small talk during the early part of the interview is very shocking. Most are just terrible at exchanging pleasantries during the first few minutes of the process.

Is it the cell phone generation and a computer driven communication culture that has eliminated people's ability to speak one on one? Why are people so nervous?

Answer 1

I would hesitate to blame candidates nervousness on the decline of face-to-face interaction brought on by cell phones and the internet. I think the reason they are nervous is very very simple: everyone who goes to an interview for a job is obviously in need of a job, and they know that whether or not they get the job is based on the interview. They've obviously been selected out of several others based on their resume/application. But so much emphasis is on how they interview that it's hard not to be a little tense.

And the pleasantries to an interviewee do the exact opposite sometimes of what is intended: they're too nervous to make small talk (especially since they don't really know you), and this adds to the overall pressure of the interview. They're waiting on the tough questions and getting down to the nitty-gritty of the interview. Chit chatting just prolongs their discomfort. I prefer, when interviewing candidates, to save tehe chitchat for the end, when they are more at ease, to see how they speak and interact., when the real pressure is gone.

They're just trying so hard to make a good impression that they kind of overdo it. If they are nervous, they probably need/want that job very badly, and they're scared to screw up.

Oh, and P.S. You said it was a "government" contract? Say the word "government" to ANYONE, and you will get a reaction of some kind, especially a job seeker!!!!!!!

Answer 2

I like to do a brutal workout on the day of an interview. I don't know if you have time for that, but it really relaxes me. Also look up common interview questions, practice answering them, and visualize yourself doing well. While you're looking up interview questions, also look up questions that you should ask. At the end of the interview, the interviewer will say "Do you have any questions?" This is not the time to ask about pay, benefits, breaks, free coffee, etc. There are several websites with good questions for you to ask. I had an interview at Home Depot a few years ago, and I thought I sucked, but the interviewer loved the questions I asked and it probably got me the job. Being prepared will make you feel more confident, and less nervous. It's good to be about 5-10 minutes early, but not a half hour early. Pretend the interviewer is your friend, and you're just having a conversation. A coffee shop interview probably isn't going to be as tough as an interview for a higher-paying job. Good luck:)

Answer 3

Typical British reaction to meeting someone they do not know so are not sure how to correspond with the opposite person. Remember the old sayings about the British sitting on trains and never speaking to anyone else in a carriage. The Americans in particular are open hearted and start chatting instantly. We prefer to get to know who it is alongside us or at an interview. An applicant generally feels that the interviewer should start the ball rolling by asking questions either general or on a relevant topic. That way the interviewee can relax a little and start to speak. If the interviewee has done their homework then they should be prepared to ask questions relating to the position but if the interviewer has done a good job, there just may not be any questions needing a reply. Getting the person to relax is a job worth doing well.

Answer 4

Is it the cell phone generation and a computer driven communication culture that has eliminated people's ability to speak one on one?
------Yes. If you noticed when that "today" when you look for a job a vast majority of the time you are told to go on line, than you have to fill out a questionnaire with limited multiple choice answers with no room to explain or give your own answer and if the "computer" does not think your suited for the job you don't get it.

Why are people so nervous?
-----Because they are being judged.
-----Most of the time the person being interviewed has to sit and wait (like there time is not important) and sometimes the person doing the interview walks in with his mind already made up and is just going through the motions of the interview.
-------It could be that they are feeling rushed to answer.
-------It could also be that the person doing the interview isn't friendly(he may think he/she is) but his facial expression says something different, or he may have a big ego and thinks hes better because he has a "better" job (they usually give off a vibe of sorts) and it makes it uncomfortable

Answer 5

There could be various different reasons. Maybe they are worried because they really need the job. Maybe they are inexperienced. Maybe they lack the social skills you value. Or maybe you lack interviewing skills yourself. A good interviewer realizes and accepts that even highly qualified candidates may be nervous at interview. It is part of the art of interviewing to know how to put people at ease. Your attempt to exchange pleasantries and make small talk may be backfiring on you, since it is not what serious candidates expect. Warm them up with easy questions first to build their confidence. Then gradually progress to harder, open-ended questions. You can save the chitchat for the end so as to finish on a more relaxed note. Interviewing is not supposed to be an adversarial or judgmental process, simply a process of selection. If you intimidate them too much, you are not helping the overall public relations image of your firm, whether or not they end up getting hired.

Answer 6

Firstly they are there to be judged and so small talk and pleasantries are an unwanted distraction from that, although that distraction is partly why the interviewer opens with them. As well t.v tells people that is the natural reaction to the situation, it is expected, interviews are difficult and tense. Aswell there is a real sense of over population in modern times, people feel there is more competition for jobs and employees are looking for the most outstanding candidates, when the truth is people skills are as important now as they have ever been.

Answer 7

I may have to agree with you, people today have lost there people skills. I find when working, the emails I get are spoken with a tone that would never be done in person. Also,
on an interview most people want the position and forget to be themselves. They try so hard to be the person they think they should be. Though the flip side is what a wonderful generation the tech and knowledge is just amazing. Thank God I am a part of it.

Answer 8

Under tense situations people over-scruitinize. Look at the way the media examines every little twitch politicians make. People carry this over to real life - read interview books and they will emphasize so much "One little misstep can cost you the job!!" its enough to make the interview subject neurotic.

Then its all about contrived nudging of the interviewers opinion. The books say, "Say this so they'll think you're this type of person!". A bunch of little no-margin-for-error tactics to try to manipulate and sway the interviewer's perception of you. The funny thing is at the very end they usually say something like, "Above all, be yourself!"

But here's a follow question - why are you so concerned about people being nervous? What about their qualifications?

Answer 9

Because you really have to have confidence in yourself, and your ability to basically "sell yourself" during the interview.

Job hunting in itself can just beat a person's spirits down, and people that actually want to work and be a productive part of society hate getting their hopes crushed when they don't get the job.

I have had some interviews where it feels very casual and relaxed, and those people are easy to talk to about life, family, hobbies, etc...then there was that security clearance test for the Army...uggggh!

You really had to listen to what they were asking, and then watch how you responded, was it a trick question, will I be stuck peeling potatoes???

Another uncomfortable interview was for a deputy sheriff position, months of staggered written test, then a physical stamina test, and then months later the interview with 5-6 people facing you, while you're sitting in a chair in front of them, while they all take turns firing off questions at you. I choked and blew it at that point, but I hear most do during the "interrogation". :)

Might as well imagine you're all naked, then you are all vulnerable during the interview. ;) (Much like giving a speech!)

Just my thoughts...Are you hiring for new Blackwater agents?...Hahaha ;)

Answer 10

It has nothing to do with this generation. People have been nervous about big events since the beginning of time. Most people are nervous because they are worried about making a good impression and they don't want to mess it up. For some people if they don't get that particular job it can change their life for the worse. If I was in that situation I would be nervous too.