Which interview technique is designed explicitly to pressure applicants psychologically?

The stress interview technique is specifically designed to create a psychologically challenging environment for applicants. This approach is often used to evaluate how candidates respond to pressure and unforeseen challenges. During a stress interview, applicants may be faced with difficult questions or scenarios, distractions, or a confrontational atmosphere to assess their emotional resilience, problem-solving abilities, and behavior under stress.

The underlying rationale for this technique is that the public sector, like many professional fields, often involves high-pressure situations where the ability to remain composed and effective can significantly impact outcomes. By simulating a stressful environment during the interview, employers can gauge a candidate's ability to think on their feet, manage anxiety, and maintain professionalism, all of which are essential qualities in many public sector roles.

In contrast, other interview techniques, such as the behavioral interview, competency interview, and situational interview, focus on past behavior, skills assessment, and hypothetical scenarios, respectively. These methods are typically more structured and predict future performance based on previous experiences or responses rather than specifically aiming to understand how a candidate reacts under stress.