How to Handle an Interviewer Who Lacks Energy or Communication Skills

Picture this: you’ve been preparing for an interview for days, ready to showcase your skills and enthusiasm. But as the interview unfolds, you quickly realize the interviewer is not exactly what you expected. They may seem disinterested, unengaged, or simply lack effective communication skills. It’s not ideal, but it’s also not uncommon. Interviewers, like job seekers, come with different personalities and communication styles. While it may feel like the odds are stacked against you, there are ways to navigate this type of situation and still leave a positive impression.

Here’s a guide on how to overcome the challenges of dealing with an unenthusiastic or poor communicator during an interview and still ace the experience.

1. Stay Positive and Maintain Your Energy

An interviewer who lacks energy or enthusiasm can drain the room’s atmosphere, but that doesn’t mean you need to match their tone. Instead, take charge by maintaining your own energy, positivity, and professionalism throughout the interview. Your job is to control what you can, and your attitude is entirely within your control.

How to do it:

• Keep your energy up. Smile, maintain good posture, and speak with confidence. Your enthusiasm will come through even if the interviewer isn’t reciprocating it.
• Show engagement. Maintain eye contact, nod to show you’re listening, and respond to the interviewer’s questions thoughtfully. Even if they’re not giving you much to work with, you can demonstrate that you’re fully present and engaged.
• Don’t let their mood affect yours. Remember, the interviewer’s lack of energy isn’t necessarily a reflection of your performance. Stay focused on delivering your best answers and showcasing your skills, even if their responses feel lackluster.

2. Ask Thoughtful Questions to Create Engagement

If the interviewer isn’t actively engaging with you, one of the best ways to break the monotony is to take the initiative and ask thoughtful, open-ended questions. This can help shift the dynamic and create more of a two-way conversation, giving the interviewer an opportunity to talk about topics they may be more excited about.

How to do it:

• Ask about the role’s challenges. Open-ended questions about the role or company can encourage the interviewer to open up and provide more insight. For example, “What are some of the biggest challenges the team is facing right now?” or “How does this position contribute to the company’s long-term goals?”
• Inquire about their experience. Asking the interviewer about their own experience can help build rapport and get them talking. For instance, “What do you enjoy most about working here?” or “How has your role evolved since you joined the company?”
• Dig deeper into company culture. Asking questions about the company’s values, culture, or work environment can give the interviewer a chance to share more information and potentially get more animated about topics they are passionate about.

3. Lead the Conversation with Structured Responses

When the interviewer isn’t communicating clearly or providing much structure, it can leave you feeling like you’re in limbo. If the questions are vague, unclear, or disorganized, take control by offering structured responses that keep the conversation on track. You can use frameworks like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to ensure your answers are well-organized and easy to follow.

How to do it:

• Clarify vague questions. If the interviewer asks a broad or unclear question, feel free to ask for clarification before answering. You can say something like, “Could you clarify if you’re asking about my experience with project management specifically, or would you like me to share an example from a leadership perspective?”
• Take the lead in your answers. Even if the question is simple or uninspired, you can take it to the next level by giving a detailed, thoughtful response. Use examples that showcase your skills and align with the job requirements, and don’t be afraid to add context if it feels like the interviewer is skimming over important points.
• Transition to relevant topics. If the interviewer seems to be jumping from topic to topic without much focus, gently steer the conversation back to key areas you want to highlight. For example, “That brings me to another point about my experience with project management software…”

4. Use Your Body Language to Build Connection

If verbal communication is lacking, your nonverbal communication becomes even more important. Positive body language can help you build rapport, even with an interviewer who may seem disengaged or unexpressive.

How to do it:

• Maintain open body language. Sit up straight, keep your hands in view, and use natural gestures to emphasize key points. Avoid crossing your arms or looking distracted, as that can mirror the interviewer’s disengaged behavior.
• Smile and make eye contact. Even if the interviewer isn’t giving you much, maintain steady eye contact and offer smiles when appropriate. It conveys warmth and confidence, which can help ease tension in the room.
• Mirror subtly. Mirroring is a technique where you subtly mimic the body language of the other person. This can create a subconscious sense of rapport. If the interviewer is sitting calmly with their hands folded, you can adopt a similar stance, but don’t mimic negative or closed-off body language like crossed arms.

5. Fill the Gaps Without Overdoing It

In interviews with a disengaged or poor communicator, there may be awkward silences or moments where the conversation seems to stall. While you don’t want to dominate the conversation, you can take the initiative to fill these gaps productively, rather than letting the interview fizzle out.

How to do it:

• Offer relevant examples. If there’s a lull, take the opportunity to share a relevant story or example that demonstrates your skills or experiences. For instance, if the interviewer is slow to ask follow-up questions, you can say, “To expand on that, there was another project I worked on that required similar skills…”
• Ask follow-up questions. If the interviewer isn’t keeping the conversation going, take the reins by asking follow-up questions about the role, company, or expectations. This will keep the conversation flowing while also showing your interest in the position.
• Don’t overcompensate. While it’s important to keep the conversation moving, be mindful not to overcompensate for the interviewer’s lack of energy by talking too much. Aim to maintain a balance by keeping your answers concise and giving the interviewer space to respond or move on.

6. Reframe the Situation in Your Mind

It’s easy to get discouraged or feel like the interview isn’t going well when the interviewer seems disengaged or uninterested. However, it’s important to remember that their behavior isn’t necessarily a reflection of your performance. They might be tired, distracted, or simply not skilled at interviewing.

How to do it:

• Shift your mindset. Instead of viewing the interviewer’s lack of energy as a negative reflection on you, try to reframe it. For example, tell yourself, “This is an opportunity to demonstrate my ability to stay professional and focused under challenging circumstances.”
• Focus on what you can control. You can’t control the interviewer’s energy level, but you can control your responses, professionalism, and attitude. Stay focused on delivering thoughtful answers and maintaining a positive demeanor.

7. Close Strong

Regardless of how the interview has gone, it’s important to leave a lasting positive impression. Ending the interview on a high note can help mitigate any challenges you encountered along the way.

How to do it:

• Reiterate your interest in the role. Even if the interview didn’t feel particularly engaging, express your genuine interest in the position and the company. You can say something like, “I’m really excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team and bring my skills in [specific area] to this role.”
• Ask about the next steps. Make sure to ask about the hiring timeline and next steps before the interview concludes. This shows that you’re organized and proactive, even if the interviewer hasn’t been.
• Thank them for their time. Always thank the interviewer for their time and express appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about the role and the company.

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Interview Experience

While it can be challenging to deal with an unenthusiastic or poor communicator as an interviewer, there are several strategies you can use to maintain control of the conversation and still deliver a strong performance. By staying positive, asking thoughtful questions, offering structured answers, and using body language to create rapport, you can overcome the challenges and leave a lasting impression.

Remember, not every interviewer will be a great communicator or share your energy level. But by staying adaptable and focused on what you can control, you can navigate the situation with confidence and professionalism.

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