Final answer:
A recruiter should provide a candidate struggling during an interview with time to think and offer clarification or rephrase questions if necessary. Follow-up questions might also be helpful in eliciting more detailed responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a candidate struggles to answer a question during a interview, a recruiter should assist by observing body language for signs of confusion or contemplation. If the candidate appears to be collecting their thoughts, it is advisable for the recruiter to use silence, allowing the candidate time to articulate an answer. Should the difficulty persist, the recruiter may act to clarify or rephrase the question, giving the candidate a better opportunity to respond with relevant information.
Additionally, the recruiter can use follow-up questions to probe further or shift to a related topic that may be easier for the candidate to address. Effective interviewing involves a mix of open-ended and closed questions, but when a candidate is having trouble, more specific queries may help to elicit the desired response. Ultimately, the recruiter's goal is to create an environment where the candidate can comfortably demonstrate their skills and knowledge.