I think for most candidates it would depend on the subject. If it's one I know, I'll have no problem standing my ground and having a debate where I attack things from a dozen different examples with analogies and everything.
But, if the interviewer is picking on something I've said about Quantum Mechanics, I'm unlikely to stand my ground as it's not an area I know as well.
Absolutely.
The signs when I know an interview is going on well (and I keep taking them periodically!) is when the interview feels less like an 'interview' and more of a conversation.
I love it when I can point out holes in an interviewers strategy/operations from whatever data he/she has presented to me. They then go "wow! I sure would love to have this guy sort out my problems"
Any pitfalls on such a strategy, Mike or Anthony?
regards,
Gautam
Gautam, common sense says that a fun, interesting discussion like the one you have described is the best kind of interview there is. Both parties get a chance to see eachother's personalities, experience and intellect at play.
So, it's best to aim at having the interview run this way.
However, there are possible pitfalls. Some interviewers might take your ideas as an attack on their own and dislike you for contradicting them.
And some candidates are arrogant and turn people off.
eg. They tell me that they have it all, that the job was made for them etc. And even that the people in place right now are doing things all wrong.
But when I present such people to my project managers they laugh and say these candidates are just full of themselves.
Mike - i see you mention that some candidates are arrogent and will turn people off, but I also think it can turn off the candidate.
Personally, I love to conversate/argue, even when it is with someone who has an arguement not supported by reason (all the creationists out there) - But if I'm going to be working with someone, I don't want to have that kind of person around.
Of course, it would be a different story if I was being interviewed by a recruiter instead of management at the hiring firm- but having management that appears blatantly ignorant makes me think the workplace is not somewhere i would like to be.
I mention this because it has happened to me before- even though i took the job (it was as a cost accountant)- I learned a lesson.
Haha @ creationists, we should get together. I feel the same way about evolutionists 
It's one thing to want a discussion, it's another to forcibly argue with someone when you are wrong, which is what Joel's talking about.
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