Interviews Should Be Conversations, Not Interrogations
I've recently discovered that a number of students and new hire applicants are missing core interviewing skills, perhaps the most important of which is the ability or desire to have an actual conversation. I preach about how communication is a core soft skill for young professionals, and the process of simply having a conversation is no exception, especially during the interviewing process. Today, I'm going to share some tips on how to carry a conversation in an interview setting and hopefully make a great impression.
Listen to The Other Person and Respond in Real Time
One of the worst mistakes a young person can make in an interview is asking questions and then waiting for their turn to talk again. Sometimes, they don't even acknowledge the answer to the previous question before asking a new one! People want to feel heard and respected in interviews and the easiest way to do that is to actually listen and respond in real time. By making the effort to pull the threads of conversation and dive deeper into responses, you can show that you actually care about the other person. While this might sound silly to some, I can guarantee that it makes a difference in how the interviewer perceives you.
Ask Thoughtful Questions
Carrying on a conversation involves more than simple questions with a simple yes or no answer, and no interviewer wants to hear “what's your day-to-day like?” for the fourth time this week. When my students ask me about asking good questions, I strongly suggest that they watch a few episodes of Hot Ones on YouTube and notice how intricate and well thought out the questions are as an example. As an entry-level applicant, asking a question that is half as thoughtful as the ones on Hot Ones will make you stand out. To achieve that level of detail and thoughtfulness, you will need to do your research on the person, company, or industry.
Provide Context Early and Often
The heart of a great conversation is empathy with the person you were speaking with. It is often the case in interviews that someone will ask a question for a very specific reason, or a question will be asked by someone without much experience and it's unclear what they're actually asking. Instead of asking “what's the process for approving PTO?” You can say “In a previous job, A manager took back my previously approved PTO request. I'd like to know a little bit more about your process.” To have a great conversation, the other person needs to understand why you're asking the question and most of the time it isn't obvious. Take the time to explain why a question is being asked, even if that question is being asked because you genuinely lack experience. Adding that extra bit of context and perspective into the conversation helps drive a better discussion.
Remember, no one wants to hire someone they don't like, and liking someone generally means you can have a conversation with them. Take the time to practice these conversational skills and ace your next interview!