Question

Valerie is interviewing for a job she really wants. however, valerie also suffers from a high level of social anxiety. during the thirty-minute interview, the interviewer twice pauses for several seconds before commenting on what valerie has said. based on research findings, how would we expect valerie to respond to the silence?

Answer 1

Valerie, prone to social anxiety, may give shorter answers and avoid eye contact during silence in an interview, which could lead the interviewer to view her as less competent.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on research by Hebl, Foster, Mannix, and Dovidio (2002), when faced with pauses or silence during an interview, a candidate like Valerie, who suffers from social anxiety, might interpret these silences as negative judgments from the interviewer. Consequently, her response may include giving shorter answers, making less eye contact, and generally disengaging from the interview situation. This behavior could lead the interviewer to conclude that Valerie is not competent for the job, thereby reinforcing any initial stereotypes or biases the interviewer might have had.

To avert such outcomes, it is recommended that candidates practice their interview skills, prepare for a range of nonverbal cues, and be mindful of the first impression they make. Practicing mock interviews and soliciting feedback can help candidates become aware of their nonverbal behavior and work toward presenting themselves confidently.

Answer 2

The answer is She interprets the silence as a sign the interview is not going well.
In this situation, valerie overlooked the fact that silence is also a good indicator for someone who is currently in deep thought.
This doesn't necessarily means that the interviewer is thinking negatively about valerie because he might be considering the options on whether valerie's placement would be a good fit for the company.