Interviewing candidates can present various challenges, and dealing with an aggressive typology requires a special set of skills. These candidates may exhibit behaviors that disrupt the flow of the interview and create an uncomfortable environment.

Whether they place their items on your desk, check their appearance obsessively, or act inappropriately by answering their phone or lighting a cigarette, it's crucial to manage these situations with poise and professionalism. Here’s how to handle aggressive candidates effectively.

Recognizing an Aggressive Candidate - this type of candidate can exhibit the following behaviors:

1. Places personal items on your desk (offline interview).
2. Positions themselves to look good on camera (online interview).
3. Leans back or gets too close (offline interview), maintaining intense eye contact with the webcam (online interview).
4. Answers the phone, checks their watch or opens other tabs during the interview (online).
5. Walks around the room or lights a cigarette (online interview).
6. Asks to see your interview notes (offline interview).
7. It raises questions about your interviewing skills or professionalism.

How to Behave when interviewing them - some strategies:

1. Stay Calm and Avoid Behaving in the Same Aggressive manner: Remaining calm is the cornerstone of managing an aggressive candidate. Do not mirror their aggressiveness, stay composed, and use a calm and steady tone.
2. Keep Your Objectivity: Focus on the facts and the candidate's qualifications. Do not let their behavior cloud your judgment.
3. Find Out the Cause of This Behavior: Sometimes, aggression can stem from stress, nervousness, or misunderstanding. Gently probe to understand if there’s an underlying issue causing this behavior.
4. Explain That You Cannot Continue the Discussion Because of Their Behavior: If the behavior is too disruptive, clearly state that the interview cannot continue under these circumstances. For example, "I'm finding it difficult to focus on our conversation due to some interruptions. Can we agree to minimize these to proceed?"
5. Reschedule the Discussion for Another Day if Necessary: If the aggressive behavior persists, suggest rescheduling the interview. This gives the candidate a chance to reflect and return with a better attitude.

Actions to Consider - steps to implement during the interview process:

1. Set Clear Boundaries Early: At the start of the interview, outline expectations regarding behavior, such as no phone calls or unnecessary interruptions.
2. Maintain a Professional Attitude: Your calm and composed behavior can often help defuse aggressive tendencies.
3. Use Firm but Polite Language: If you need to address the behavior, use firm yet polite language to set boundaries. For example, "I understand you're checking the time, but it's important we stay focused during this interview."
4. Have a Plan for Escalation: If the behavior becomes too disruptive, have a plan to escalate the situation, such as involving a colleague or ending the interview.

Interviewing aggressive candidates can be particularly challenging, but with the right approach, you can manage the situation effectively. By setting clear boundaries, staying calm, and being prepared to reschedule if necessary, you can maintain control and ensure a productive interview while assessing the candidate's qualifications fairly.

Happy interviewing!

Explore additional tips and strategies - How to Handle an Evasive Candidate