If an interviewee is rude or refuses to answer a question, what should the appraiser do?

• A. Maintain a professional demeanor and offer to help, if possible, with any information they may need
• B. End the interview immediately
• C. Record the interruption and move on
• D. Ignore the behavior and continue

Answer: (A)

When someone is rude or won’t answer, the best move is to stay professional and offer to help with any information they may need. Keeping a calm, respectful demeanor shows neutrality and keeps the interview focused on gathering data, not on reacting to behavior. By offering assistance—explaining why a question is asked, providing information in writing, or accommodating the interviewee’s pace—you reduce tension and increase the chances of obtaining usable information. This approach supports ethical conduct and credibility in the appraisal process. Ending the interview abruptly, recording interruptions and moving on, or ignoring the behavior can jeopardize data collection and undermine trust, so staying helpful and courteous is the right course.