Tips for Managing Nervous Candidates

Wise advice for anyone in the midst of a hiring process. I’ve seen firsthand how small changes can make a big difference in how candidates experience interviews. The result? Candidates feel less stressed and more confident, leading to more productive conversations. Hiring teams build stronger connections with the right people. What can you do as a hiring manager? Start by creating an environment where candidates can be their best. Here’s what you can do: Build rapport to ease nerves Encourage candidates to use notes Avoid "trap" questions Give time for pauses and thoughtful responses Offer extra time if necessary Share interview topics/questions in advance These simple changes can lead to: ☑ Better interview outcomes ☑ Stronger candidate relationships ☑ More successful hiring decisions It might feel like a small shift, but it pays off big for both the team and the candidate. It’s not about following a set formula; it’s about creating a space where everyone can thrive. What’s your best interview experience? Share below!

Interviewing is one of the most stressful experiences. I’ve interviewed hundreds of software engineering candidates in the last 14 years and the stress was palpable. Here are 5 things you can do to help candidates overcome interview anxiety. 1. Build rapport    “I’ve noticed … in your resume and I found it very impressive. Can you tell me more about it?”     2. Show empathy    “I’ve been in your shoes and I know this is a lot. But you can overcome the stress.”     3. Deep breathing    “First let's pause. Let’s take a deep breath. Okay, now let's think through this together.”     4. Reorient from binary answers to having a discussion    “My goal here isn’t to see if you know the answer, I want to see how you’re thinking about the problem.”     5. Invite them to imagine they’re in a comfortable team setting    “Think of me as your teammate right now and we’re brainstorming about this problem. What would you tell me?” What else would you add? #softwareengineering #interviewing #emotionalintelligence ♻️ Please repost if you found this useful ✍🏻 If you enjoyed this post, I talk more about similar topics at  https://lnkd.in/gxtnCFay 🤝 DM me to learn how we can work together

A candidate I was interviewing was a nervous wreck. He fumbled over words and could barely answer simple questions. It didn't make sense. He had a great work history with a respectable employer. He should be doing fine. But noticing he was unemployed, I pivoted and asked what happened. It turns out he was unexpectedly laid off and hadn't been interviewed in nearly a decade. I told him I understood what he was going through because I, too, had experienced a layoff and reassured him that I believed he had the right experience. I then tossed aside my interview guide and took a softer approach, asking conversational questions about his latest project. He immediately relaxed, opened up, and gave more fluid answers. Turns out he was pretty talented but needed reassurance to tap into it. And I wouldn't have seen it had I just rejected him. The next time you're interviewing someone who's overly nervous, re-evaluate your approach and avoid judging. Sometimes, they only need a bit of patience and empathy to shine.