Would you be impressed with this in an interview?

[foresterr]

I interviewed for a newly qualified position and there was a man there who was super nervous. So nervous in fact he gave short bursts of answers. Not coherent sentences. You could tell from the detail in his answers that he did have some good knowledge of the subject area but he was just a nervous mess. His skills and experience answer lasted literally 3 minutes and he left out most of what is written in his CV.

After answering all the questions he apologised for his previous answers and explained that he was nervous and asked if he could re answer the skills and experience question. We said yes and he did so with real determination. You could see he was still nervous but he fought through it and gave quite a good answer in the end.

There were however, candidates who gave stronger answers overall. But I'm so impressed .

Would you be impressed? Does anyone here interview and what would you make of this? AIBU to choose him over candidates who got it right first time.

Given his self awareness and references, I'd say he just is crap at interviews and say he sounds promising.

You can be outgoing and extremely nervous in an interview situation, particularly when he wants the job so much ....... some people do wonderful interviews and can be useless at the job. He was forthright enough to ask if he could answer again when he'd calmed down a bit and that takes guts and determination - say 'yes' to him and make his day

Once the interview was over he came across as bubbly and confident. Particularly so. He was just very very nervous answering the set questions.

Interviewed a lot of people for professional positions in the last 30 years. Based on the good, the bad and the ugly out of those experiences would go with my gut and give him a chance. It takes humungeous balls to do what he did and ask for another chance. Those seeming better first time round may have less tenacity. If you are still thinking about him you know he is worth a punt.

The other person interviewing was really really cold and hostile in manner. Which can't have helped. But others weren't too affected by it.

I'd want to give him a chance.

Can you re-interview him?

I'd give him the benefit of the doubt, especially as he seemed more at ease out of the actual interview. He obviously knows his beans and comes with good references - I'd be inclined to take a punt.

I think in an interview a persons character should also be taken into account. Yes, I too would be impressed.

I also recruit for a loving and would definitely not rule this guy out. Many people struggle with interviews more than they would any other social situation. I'd actually give him points for asking to redo the questions as many people wouldn't have the confidence to ask and would fret about it afterwards.

The world of work is full of well rehearsed bullshitters I find.

^ This, totally. So refreshing to hear of the opposite.

I think he really wants this job and that's why it was so nerve-racking. He sounds like a really nice, genuine person, with great references and with the determination to overcome problems that arise.

If it's down to him and someone you describe as hostile!! Then no contest he gets a shot I'd say!

If you appoint him he will be likely to be loyal to your company because he would rather stay than go through another interview. Anywhere.

The best employee I ever had interviewed terribly.
Interviewing is a skill - it doesn't necessarily relate to ability to do the job.
It sounds like there was something you really liked, trust your instincts.

I think he probably is confident, that shows in him asking to give his answer again.

Interviews are very different to dealing with clients. I'd go with your instinct - if it's backed up by good answers and good references - and it sounds as if you thought highly of him.

Can you interview him again?

I could interview him again but I reckon he would be pretty much the same.

"Cold and hostile" sounds awful! Someone like that isn't going to be engaging to their colleagues or customers.

You're right to think twice about this guy. He might be a diamond in the rough. If you give him a chance, he's likely to be very loyal and work hard to repay the chance you've given him.

A job against the odds is likely to give him confidence.

However, if the job requires public speaking etc. a job might be throwing him into the deep end.

He sounds like a trooper and someone who works hard and I always love an underdog, plus the references sounds great. Give it to him over a hostile person every day of the week.

I would be impressed by a candidate who recognised that he hadn't done his best and went back to put that right. It shows that he can admit to his own shortcomings, that despite his nerves he had the confidence to address the issue, and that he's a good problem-solver.

Not everyone shows off their skills in an interview setting. Flexibility is key.

Ask him for a final meeting as part of the interview process - but make it a meet the team/informal coffee. You get to see him again - hopefully less nervous and see what you think.

Maybe this is a sign you need different recruitment processes

We have an interview, group exercise, presentation and written exercise. Sounds a lot but gives people the chance to shine in different ways.

Not everyone performs well in an interview setting.
Nothing to do with how confident you will be doing the role.
Look at the experience and so on rather than how confident people appear to be
A lot of people appear confident and they are full of crap.
I am terrible at interviews yet deliver presentations and present shows for audiences of 100+ without issue
Some people dont like that kind of setting and as an interviewer you need to look beyond that

Best person for the job, not the one that was more confident for an interview