Human Answer
TRAPS:
Beware – if you are unprepared for this question, you will probably not handle it right and possibly blow the interview. Thank goodness most interviewers don’t employ it. It’s normally used by those determined to see how you respond under stress.
Here’s how it works:
You answer an interviewer’s question and then, instead of asking another, he just stares at you in a deafening silence. You wait, growing a bit uneasy, and there he sits, silent as Mt. Rushmore, as if he doesn’t believe what you’ve just said, or perhaps making you feel that you’ve unwittingly violated some cardinal rule of interview etiquette.
When you get this silent treatment after answering a particularly difficult question , such as “tell me about your weaknesses”, its intimidating effect can be most disquieting, even to polished job hunters.
Most unprepared candidates rush in to fill the void of silence, viewing prolonged, uncomfortable silences as an invitation to clear up the previous answer which has obviously caused some problem.
And that’s what they do – ramble on, sputtering more and more information, sometimes irrelevant and often damaging, because they are suddenly playing the role of someone who’s goofed and is now trying to recoup. But since the candidate doesn’t know where or how he goofed, he just keeps talking, showing how flustered and confused he is by the interviewer’s unmovable silence.
BEST ANSWER:
Like a primitive tribal mask, the Silent Treatment loses all it power to frighten you once you refuse to be intimidated. If your interviewer pulls it, keep quiet yourself for a while and then ask, with sincere politeness and not a trace of sarcasm, “Is there anything else I can fill in on that point?” That’s all there is to it. Whatever you do, don’t let the Silent Treatment intimidate you into talking a blue streak, because you could easily talk yourself out of the position.
ChatGPT Answer
If the interviewer gives the "Silent Treatment" after your response, it can be an indication that they are not satisfied with your answer or are thinking about your response.
Some examples of how to handle this situation include:
- Asking for clarification: You can ask the interviewer if they have any follow-up questions or if there is anything specific they would like you to elaborate on.
- Reflecting on your answer: Take a moment to think about your response and see if there is anything you can add or change to improve it.
- Showing enthusiasm: Even if the interviewer is not responding, you can maintain your enthusiasm and energy to show that you are still interested in the position.
- Waiting patiently: Remember that the interviewer may just be taking a moment to think about your response, so waiting patiently is important.
- Showing willingness to learn: If the interviewer is not satisfied with your answer, you can show your willingness to learn by asking for feedback and guidance.