by Pauline Fournier
In each edition of our Insights newsletter, Senior Career Consultant, Pauline Fournier responds to career questions that have recently come her way from people with whom she is working. In our Spring 2022 edition, Pauline shared some of her favorite interview tips – for both interviewers and candidates.
QUESTION: What are your favorite interview tips?
ANSWER:
I am often asked about interview tips or tricks and have many to offer. I offer tips about how to prepare for the interview, Zoom backgrounds, dress code, what to expect, and questions to ask. There is a lot to cover.
My favorite tip or piece of advice to both the candidate and the interviewer is about listening. Are you listening or just hearing words? Do you listen for the sake of responding or to understand the point that is being made? Do you start responding before the other person finishes? Do you have a habit of talking over people?
I have two tips to keep in mind regarding listening.
LISTEN
Listen is an anagram of silent. (Go ahead and check for yourself.) Coincidence? I don’t know. What I do know is that, to listen effectively, one must remain silent.
Set your mind and space to listen actively. Turn off your cell phone and email. If the interview is over Zoom, let that be the only open screen on your computer. Use a quiet space with no background noise. The fewer distractions you have, the better you can set yourself up to actively listen.
Avoid listening with judgment. Don’t jump to conclusions while the other person is talking. Ask clarifying questions if you aren’t sure what is being said. I get asked, “Do you know what they meant when they asked (insert question asked)?” No, I wasn’t there. It is perfectly fine to ask for clarification. Don’t start responding to a question without understanding what is being asked.
WAIT
Wait for what, you ask. Wait until it is your turn to speak. WAIT is an acronym for Why Am I Talking. Yes, indeed, why are you talking.
I discussed the importance of listening silently. In a dialogue, it only takes about 4 seconds for many people to start feeling awkward with the silence. For many candidates, that 4 seconds feels like a lifetime. They are anticipating another question or for the dialogue to continue.
Whether you are the candidate or the interviewer, embrace the silence. Yes, easier said than done. When you finish talking and there is silence, it doesn’t mean you need to continue talking. WAIT. You don’t have to be the one to end the silence. Watch the body language of the other person. Are they still engaged? Are they reading your resume and perhaps thinking of another question to ask? Is the candidate reviewing his/her notes?
During offer negotiations, silence is an especially good thing. Make the offer and WAIT. Let the candidate react. At the appropriate time, counteroffer and WAIT. You will learn what is on the other person’s mind when you are able to wait silently.
On either side of the interview table, listen actively and WAIT to speak.
