Job interviews can be pretty nerve-wracking, even frightening experiences for some people, as when it comes down to the crunch, you really need to impress that boss sitting on the other side of the desk if you want to land the job. But if next time you go for an interview you start to feel the pressure, perhaps spare a thought for your interviewer and how he might be feeling.

According to a recent survey, quoted by Canada's Globe and Mail, job interviewers seem to be just as likely to make interview scenario gaffs as their interviewees, giving them good reason to be nervous about making a good impression on potential employees.

The survey found that the vast majority of young people going for interviews said that their image of the organisation had changed as a result of the interview, with unimpressive interviewers putting them off the idea of joining the company all together. One in five said that interviewers made the simple error of not reading their CV before interviewing them, while others reported that their interviewer had answered the phone or even left the room during the interview.

Perhaps, then, the balance of power is shifting towards the job applicant in the interview situation. This wouldn't be that surprising though – despite those typical interview day fears and apprehensions, most interviews are as much about you as a potential employee getting to know the company as it is about the company getting to know you.

If you think about it, all you typically know about a job before you get to interview is the short and sharp description on the jobs website and a few preconceptions of the company based on their own well-crafted PR material. What you don't know is the kind of environment you'll be working in, and the kind of people you'll be working with. Interviews may be important for seeing in the flesh a candidate that looks good on paper, but the same holds true for the employer too. A good company on paper may just not be your cup of tea in reality.

All of this is putting interviewers under pressure. They know that, particularly with good people, it's up to them to make a good first impression too. If they appear incompetent, distracted or uninterested, they run the risk of putting job-seekers off.

So what lessons should we take from this? The first for employers is to buck up your ideas when in comes to interviewing people. Make sure you look like you've got something to offer, and don't let your interviewee do all the work.

Job hunters, on the other hand should learn to relax. It's important, of course, to try and impress your potential future boss, but remember that you need to be impressed too. Besides, if you are relaxed in the interview, you're probably more likely to show off you best characteristics.

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