Interview Skills for Managers—Management Development

Stress Interviews

Stress interviews are designed to see whether candidates can think on their feet in uncomfortable situations. It is an unusual interview format, and as such, it is rarely appropriate for obtaining the highest quality information on which to base selection decisions.

There are two types of stress interviews: staged and realistic job previews. During staged interviews the interviewer believes that by putting candidates through some amount of pain and discomfort, their true behaviors, skills, and abilities will be revealed. During realistic job preview interviews, the interviewer simulates the amount and kind of stress encountered on the job. While it is difficult to imagine a situation where staged stress interviews are appropriate, ...