How do you deal with asshole interviewers?

Dealing with an interviewer like that can be incredibly frustrating, but based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s how you can approach situations like this and avoid letting it derail your confidence:

1. Understand the Dynamics

• Sometimes, interviewers act this way to test how you handle pressure or difficult personalities. It’s not uncommon in high-stakes industries like finance, where you’ll face tough clients or colleagues. However, in this case, it seems more like the VP was venting his bad mood rather than conducting a professional evaluation.
• Remember, it’s not about you. As you said, he doesn’t know you personally, so his behavior likely reflects his own issues rather than your performance.

2. Stay Calm and Composed

• As one WSO user put it, “Gotta eat shit with a smile on your face in these circumstances.” While it’s not ideal, maintaining your composure and professionalism is key. Don’t let their attitude rattle you or make you defensive.
• If they interrupt or criticize, acknowledge their point politely and move on. For example, in the equity vs. debt question, you could’ve said, “Understood, I’ll keep my responses more concise moving forward.”

3. Redirect the Conversation

• If the interviewer is being unnecessarily combative, try to steer the conversation back to a constructive tone. For example, if they dismiss your behavioral examples with skepticism, respond confidently: “Yes, these are real cases I’ve worked on, and I’d be happy to provide more details or context if needed.”

4. Recognize When It’s Not Worth It

• As highlighted in WSO threads, sometimes the best move is to recognize that you don’t want to work in a toxic environment like this. If someone is this disrespectful during an interview, imagine what working with them daily would be like. One user wisely noted, “You don’t want to work at a place like that and put up with BS like that every day.”

5. Post-Interview Action

• If you feel the interviewer crossed a line (e.g., was abusive or discriminatory), consider writing an anonymous complaint to HR or senior management. As another WSO user pointed out, firms care about their reputation and don’t want insecure narcissists tarnishing their name.

6. Learn and Move Forward

• Even if the experience was unpleasant, reflect on what you can control. Could you have handled the interruptions differently? Were there moments where you could’ve adjusted your tone or approach? Use this as a learning opportunity for future interviews.

7. Remember the Bigger Picture

• As one WSO contributor said, “Every no is one step closer to a yes.” Don’t let one bad experience shake your confidence. Keep focusing on your preparation, and with diligence and a bit of luck, you’ll land in a better place.

Ultimately, the issue wasn’t you—it was the VP’s unprofessional behavior. You handled a tough situation as best as you could, and that’s what matters. Keep your head up, and don’t let one bad apple ruin your momentum!

Sources: How to Deal With Rude/Asshole/Disrespectful Interviewers?, How to Deal With Rude/Asshole/Disrespectful Interviewers?