Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a stress interview?

In a stress interview, the primary goal is to test a candidate's ability to handle pressure and respond to challenging situations. Characteristics of stress interviews typically include rapid-fire questioning, where the interviewer asks questions quickly to create a sense of urgency; hostility, which can involve aggressive behavior or a confrontational demeanor from the interviewer; and the presentation of argumentative scenarios, where candidates are placed in difficult hypothetical situations to gauge their reactions.

Focusing on the applicant's strengths does not align with the purpose of a stress interview. Stress interviews are designed to challenge candidates and observe how they manage stress rather than giving them an opportunity to showcase their positive attributes. Therefore, emphasizing strengths is not a characteristic associated with this type of interview, making this the correct answer to identify as not fitting within the typical framework of a stress interview.