Posted: 1/28/2008 4:57:16 PM EDT
| In an interview situation where you are being interviewed by two people at once what is the best way to counter when the interviewers are playing the "good cop, bad cop" game? 1 interviewer is polite and friendly while the other treats you like a piece of shit and argues w/ everything you say? |
+1 Direct it at the one playing bad-cop. Tell them it would be different if you were working for them and dealing with a customer, but if that was an indication of how the administration operates, they can keep looking for candidates. |
I would thank them for their time and leave. It would not speak well of the work environment if that was how the interview process was handled. |
If you really, really want, or need, this job, then I would consider taking a valium before the interview so you don't get flustered. But I wouldn't put up with that drama for a minute. Too many jobs out there, no need to get stuck working for a$$holes. |
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Be aware that this is probably reflective of the management style at that company. Ten years ago, a friend and I interviewed at 3-5 similar companies, two of which were the same ones. These were for management positions in the aviation industry, and one was more toward customer service (airline) and one was for freight. We both interviewed at the same customer service oriented airline, which at the time was a better paying industry, and he interviewed at the freight company as well. Both of us were aware that the airline used a good cop/bad cop interview style, but we 'sucked it up" because the pay was better. The freight company was more down to earth, and wanted to make sure you would be a good fit at that company. I was offered a job in the airline company, he was offered a job in the freight company. He said the airline company interview was by far the worst experience in his job search, although at the time that was where everyone wanted to work... Guess who's much happier 10 years later.... His company is one of the leading freight handlers in the world. My company couldn't find its *ss with both hands; and that's in an industry with a bunch of *ss's! ; and the customer service is one of the worst in the industry. The interview style tells you a lot about the business. |
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Some high-stress jobs will mandate this type of job interview. They want to see if you can switch back and forth between differing personality types without losing your cool. Basically just focus on the QUESTIONS you are asked and ignore the BS from the bad cop as much as you can. They WANT to see that you treat the good cop and the bad cop equally well and rationally. Basically, can you handle the pressure and keep your cool. Just smile and have that twinkle in your eye like you KNOW that you are on to their BULLSHIT (and whatever you do don't lie about anything). You'll be fine if you can handle the mind-game. Good luck! |
This is the correct answer. I've been thru some very difficult interview processes. This is the way to win. |
By win, do you mean that you get the job in that stress full environment. That does not sound like a win to me. 
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These are things to consider. I have always felt that during the interview the company is selling itself to me just as much as I am selling myself to the company. I have no intention of working somewhere with a miserable work environment due to toxic management or a warped culture. The hiring and interviewing process is often an indicator of how you will be handled later. Unless you specifically want this type of job and know what you are getting into on the front end I would approach this one with caution. Only you know if it's really where you want to be. |
+1 I would probably tell them to "fuck off" as I left the room as well. 
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| There for a minute I thought you were applying with my company. We are going to give over 40 interviews next week. There will be 2 of us for every interview we give. Most of the time I sit there and only ask a few questions. But I try not to act like good cop/bad cop, unless I am given a reason. |
| Telling them to "fuck off" would not be good. If I land the internship from this interview about 60+% of interns get asked back for full time positions. This company is one of the top 25 best companies to work for in the US and if I can manage to land it the financial rewards would definitely outweigh any of the stress caused in the working environment. I've just never been in an environment where someone is trying to make you sound like an idiot (Well maybe a few threads in GD!). |
Most important thing is, keep everything factual and to the point. View them as merely an object and deal with them accordingly. Besides, there are other job opportunities out there, they aren't the only game in town and make sure to let them know that, they'll be surprise by it. "Kill them with kindness".  Good luck. :} |
There is a lot of money and power/responsibility at stake in many cases. Do you want to find out that your CEO/pilot/doctor/CIA agent/garbage man/whatever-- cracks under pressure before or after you hire him? If it's not your cup of tea, fine, just say so, thank the interviewers, and walk away. No big deal. But if it is, you've got to prove you can handle good cop/bad cop before they start paying out the big bucks, etc. |
