7 Job Interview Secret Tricks Every Applicant Should Know

Job interviews are an essential step in the hiring process for employers to evaluate your professional profile. As an applicant, you may think that answering simple questions is enough to impress the hiring manager. However, it’s crucial to understand that job interviews can also include hidden tests that measure your honesty and reliability. We want to help you prepare for your job interviews like a pro. Our team is one step ahead and has uncovered the secrets behind common interview tricks. Keep reading to learn more and ace your next job interview.

1. Discover the “Coffee Cup” test for job interviews

In recent times, the “coffee cup” test has gained popularity among recruiters. During the interview, the hiring manager takes the interviewee to the kitchen to offer them a drink. At the end of the meeting, the employer observes the candidate’s response to the coffee cup: whether they inquire where to put it, leave it on the table, or wash it themselves in the kitchen.

Trent Innes, the former Managing Director of Xero Australia and Asia, who devised this method, asserts that: “This trick reveals more about a person’s character and manners than their answers to questions. It can also show how quickly the candidate will fit into a team. In this case, the right decision is to stop by the kitchen after the interview and scrub the mug yourself.”

2. The importance of punctuality and emotional stability in job interviews

Compared to this new job interview technique, the coffee cup test seems benign. When a candidate is scheduled for a 9 a.m. interview and arrives promptly after waking up early, only to be made to wait due to the employer’s “busy” schedule. The interviewee must endure waiting for 10 minutes, and then another 10… and eventually 15 minutes more.

This technique serves to reveal the applicant’s emotional stability when handling stressful situations and their eagerness to secure the position by demonstrating their level of patience. Punctuality and composure under pressure are valuable attributes that recruiters look for in their candidates.

3. Remaining composed under pressure during job interviews

Raising one’s voice, shouting, or even swearing is yet another tactic to simulate a stressful situation and test the limits of the candidate’s nerves. Experts recommend staying composed and responding to questions as calmly as possible.

It is essential to demonstrate emotional stability and composure during challenging situations, as this showcases one’s ability to handle stress effectively. These are crucial traits that recruiters look for when assessing candidates during job interviews.

4. Creative thinking in job interviews: how to handle unusual requests

Candidates may encounter yet another surprise during job interviews, presented in the form of an eccentric request, such as jumping out of a window. This request aims to evaluate the candidate’s ability to think creatively and outside the box.

To navigate such a situation, one can climb up to the window and jump onto the office floor where the interview is taking place, as there were no instructions on where to land. Alternatively, the candidate can respond with a win-win counter-question, such as “What benefit would my jump bring to the company?”

Handling unconventional requests is an opportunity to showcase one’s creative problem-solving skills, and this quality is highly valued by recruiters in many industries.

5. Assessing candidate adaptability in job interviews: how to handle unusual interviewer behavior

Employers may utilize another interview technique by displaying unusual behavior, such as ignoring the candidate and staring intently at the computer screen or suddenly leaving during the interview to take a phone call, leaving the applicant alone in the office.

This tactic serves to evaluate the candidate’s adaptability and assess how they handle unforeseen situations. One effective solution is to collaborate with the secretary to reschedule the interview for another day.

Adaptability is a valuable attribute that recruiters seek in candidates, as it indicates the ability to adjust to new situations, think on their feet, and navigate challenging circumstances effectively. Demonstrating flexibility and resourcefulness during job interviews can enhance one’s chances of securing the position.

6. Post-interview evaluation: meeting potential co-workers

It is common for employers to invite applicants to meet with potential co-workers in a non-work environment or specific situation after the interview concludes. This is more than just a friendly gesture; it provides an opportunity for the employer to evaluate the candidate based on feedback from existing employees.

Meeting with potential co-workers is an essential step in the hiring process as it allows recruiters to gain insight into how the candidate will fit into the company culture and interact with the team. A positive evaluation from co-workers can significantly enhance the candidate’s chances of receiving a job offer.

7. Cooperation test: responding to a simple request

Another assessment commonly used by employers is the cooperation test, which evaluates whether candidates possess helpful and cooperative qualities. During the interview, the employer may intentionally drop their pen to observe the candidate’s reaction. If the applicant instinctively bends down to pick up the pen, it indicates a willingness to cooperate, increasing the chances of receiving a job offer. Conversely, if the candidate allows the employer to pick up the pen on their own, it may negatively impact their chances of securing the position.

Cooperative individuals are highly valued in the workplace as they possess qualities such as teamwork, communication, and a positive attitude. Demonstrating these qualities during the hiring process can help candidates stand out to potential employers.