Stress interviews are not meant for giving you the creeps. This is a legitimate way of judging a candidate whether he can perform well under stressful conditions. Those who take the interview pressure confidently can excel in stressful work scenarios.
Stress interview tactics
Irritating questions: Even a soft spoken interviewer can give the creeps and test your interviewing skills by asking a question like "Why were you sacked?"
Aggressive interviewer: Some interviewers exhibit faith in tough attitude. They show this attitude in their facial expressions, body language and their irrational behavior. If you take it on its face value it is your fault.
Unexpected behavioral patterns: Some interviewers attempt to throw you off by their behavior. For example, an interviewer may ask you the same technical question many times as if he didn't understand your answer. You explain every time getting more disgusted with the interviewer.
Puzzle interviews: Brainteasers are becoming very popular. You are not supposed to know the answers to questions such as "How much does all the ice in a hockey rink weigh?" You are expected to explain how it could be found.
Case interviews: You may be asked to solve a business situation - usually a dilemma or a set of choices. The case interview tests your knowledge of business issues, analytical skills, ability to pinpoint problems and communication skills.
Your response
The technique to be used by you is similar to that adopted during high-level salary negotiations:
Seek clarification of the question and the type of answer they expect. This buys you time to think and get a hint of what is in the interviewer's mind. Don't hesitate to ask questions to get clarifications; perhaps this is how you are expected to react.
Think aloud. Make assumptions and seek information not known. Focus more on problem solving methods. While tackling problem related questions, lace your answer with a story. You should always be straight and honest; but don't be a victim of emotional intimidation.
Aggressive interviewers have the ability to smell fear. An aggressive interviewer may, after all, turn out to be a soft person.
