Creating a Comfortable Interview Environment

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

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!

At the start of each of my interviews, I ask the candidate: "Is there anything I can do to make things more comfortable?" This simple question does a few things: - Helps break the ice - Lets them know their needs are important - Makes asking for an accommodation less weird - Opens the door for any burning questions or thoughts Interviews ARE a two-way street, but... Not every candidate believes that, and not every HM makes that easy to believe. HM's that actively work to remove barriers, and tension with candidates get generally more positive interviews, and better responses. #interviewtips #interviewquestions #hiringmanagers