Quick Tip – Let Them Speak

Ask more, talk less – Issue #45

One useful interview tip that I discovered during my personal job interviews was to get the interviewer talking and let them roll. I used to feel like I had my story to tell and I wanted to make sure to demonstrate my brilliance with verbose answers.

So, I would focus on opportunities to speak up when I should have been looking for opportunities to ask more questions.

I don’t remember a specific “Aha moment” when I realized this. However, I do remember one interview when the senior exec interviewing me dominated our meeting and talked endlessly about himself, the product, their strategy, and future plans.

I was worried that I hadn’t performed well during the interview because I barely got a word in edgewise. He really didn’t learn much about me. However, I was in for a surprise. He was delighted with the interview and thought I was a great fit for the team.

Most people like to talk about themselves. Most employees are proud of their products and company. They are happy when you show interest in them and the company by asking smart questions.

From that day forward, I would answer a question and immediately use that context to pivot into a question for the interviewers to get them talking. A minuscule number of people didn’t seem to like it, so they would quickly return to asking me questions. Many interviewers would answer the questions and talk for a while. A few people would talk and talk and talk.

You should be asking questions during your job interviews anyway. The interview is just as much for you as it is for them. You need to uncover information to help you make a decision later about whether you want the job or not.

In addition, getting the interviewers talking as much as possible will likely improve their impression of you. This is especially true if you ask smart, well-informed questions. Do your research!

Try this technique during your next job interview. Let me know how it goes in the comments!