Battling a Bad Interviewer

I tried looking for threads on this topic but found none.

I am applying for a position with Verizon Wireless and have a phone interview this Wednesday. I have a lot of wireless sales experience (Sprint, AT&T). Here is the thing, this is my THIRD INTERVIEW, in other words this is my third time in 2 years. I never make it past the face to face interview. I always pass the phone interview, HR always likes me. The problem is when I get to the face to face, it's always the same Area manager. This guy is a complete asshole. He's self-centered, obese and rude. Last time he told me that getting hired there was like winning the lottery, WOW! He only asked me 3 questions and the rest of the time was spent talking about himself...

So my question is, in the event that I get him again, which I probably will, how do I overcome him and will he view my persistence as a good quality?

Thanks in advance.

If he wants to talk about himself, let him talk about himself. If he's that self-involved, the more interested you seem in him, the more he'll probably like you. If you'd be working for him, ask him what he needs, listen politely, then play to that. If he just wants to complain, listen, then say something like "That must be frustrating. Is there something the person in this position can do to help? How can we make this situation better?" Try to come across as an empathetic problem solver.

If he mentions he's seen you before, tell him it's a reflection of how much you want the job, and that you'll keep coming back until you convince him to hire you.

Different interviewers want and need different things, so don't try to make the discussion conform to your terms and expectations. It's like playing poker.

Reach around!

Any interviewer should give you the chance to ask some questions yourself at the end of the interview. If they don't, ask if you can ask them a few things. Prepare at least 2 or 3 questions about the role, the business in general, and perhaps something specific / technical.

The first thing I ask is if there is anything I've said the interviewers would like me to clarify or go into more detail on, I've had feedback before where it has turned out the interviewers have missed something I've said.

Also, if it's just one guy you have a problem with, just be polite to him and concentrate on getting through to the other members of the panel.

Suffer through it. Be attentive, feign interest, and nod politely.

I think this is a question for Jon.

I was told by numerous people (sales reps, manager) that he is indeed a self-centered asshole and that he's like that to everyone. My problem is that I don't do good around those kinds of people, I have a very strong personality. I'm trying to adapt to office politics but it's really difficult.

Originally Posted by ter1413

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Reach around!

Ha, I was told to bring him Krispy Kremes

Originally Posted by Tangfastic

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Any interviewer should give you the chance to ask some questions yourself at the end of the interview. If they don't, ask if you can ask them a few things. Prepare at least 2 or 3 questions about the role, the business in general, and perhaps something specific / technical.

The first thing I ask is if there is anything I've said the interviewers would like me to clarify or go into more detail on, I've had feedback before where it has turned out the interviewers have missed something I've said.

Also, if it's just one guy you have a problem with, just be polite to him and concentrate on getting through to the other members of the panel.

This is very good advice, thanks. What other types of questions? I know all about the job as I've done the same thing for other companies for years.

Originally Posted by JayJay

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Suffer through it. Be attentive, feign interest, and nod politely.

This is what I tried last time, this time I'm banking on him seeing me 3 times.

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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I think this is a question for Jon.

Who is Jon?

Originally Posted by osadolor619

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Who is Jon?

Back to back winner of "The Best Employee of the Millennium" award.

why do you want to work for an asshole?

Originally Posted by globetrotter

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why do you want to work for an asshole?

This.

And if he's not your direct superior, he's probably hired the people who would supervise you, meaning they're most likely people that cater to his fancy. Doesn't sound like an environment I'd like to be in (having experienced such).

Originally Posted by globetrotter

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why do you want to work for an asshole?

$$$$$$$$$$$$

I'm not going to let a person stand in the way of my bank account. It's sales, which I'm good at, so that's all I need to do and the rest will fall in place.

The old adage: money doesn't buy you happiness (or better coworkers for that matter).

In the long-run, would you rather be making money at a place with a great support network or some place where you grumble about having to go to work every morning, but it pays well?

That being said, I'm making a lot of assumptions about what it's like to work there, but something you should definitely consider.

But like others suggested, let him gloat, even stroke his ego once or twice. It's too easy getting past those kind of people. Ask him questions about himself and pretend to be interested when he goes on ad nauseam.

Originally Posted by SenorMatador

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The old adage: money doesn't buy you happiness (or better coworkers for that matter).

In the long-run, would you rather be making money at a place with a great support network or some place where you grumble about having to go to work every morning, but it pays well?

That being said, I'm making a lot of assumptions about what it's like to work there, but something you should definitely consider.

But like others suggested, let him gloat, even stroke his ego once or twice. It's too easy getting past those kind of people. Ask him questions about himself and pretend to be interested when he goes on ad nauseam.

I'm going to grad school soon, this is just to pay the bills and save $$$, well, and buy clothes haha, for now.

You are right, good advice, thanks.

This is your third time facing him, and you can't beat him yet? You might want to reload your life from an earlier save file. It sounds like you made some poor attribute allocation choices.