I recently listened to a HBR Podcast titled “What’s Your Interview Style?”.

The episode interviewed Anna Papalia about her book:

Interviewology: The New Science of Interviewing

She covers the four types of interviewers/interviewees that are covered in her book.

There are four different categories described below.

Charmers and challengers tend to be extroverted.

Examiners and harmonizers tend to be introverts.

Charmers

These individuals want to be liked and win on their personality.

As interviewees, they may forget to talk about their skills and experience.

As interviewers, they can forget to test the candidate.

Challengers

These are the people who are thought provoking and want to be heard.

As interviewees, they can ask a lot of difficult questions about the business.

As interviewers, they can create an environment that feels like a cross examination.

Examiners

These individuals have a goal of getting the interview “right”. 

Interviewees can see the process as a pass or fail test.

As an interviewer they want the process to go perfectly smoothly.

Harmonizers

The are the people who adapt well to situations.

Interviewers with this style want to see how the individual will fit in the organization.

Interviewees see the process as a tryout for a team – focused on we and us.

My Perspective

I’ve never considered different interview personalities.

Yet, as I hear these, I recognize all four types from my experiences.

I’ve seen them both as an interviewer and an interviewee.

I wonder how the process might change if people were aware of these approaches.

Knowing our natural tendencies would allow us to show up differently.

We could be aware of our blind spots during the interview process.

We could then work on those areas to try to be a more well-rounded interviewer/interviewee.

For those frequently in the interview process, this could be a great book to pick up.

Your Turn

Have you seen these interview styles over the years?

Which one do you believe best represents your style?

How could the insight of your type improve your interview approach?