An interview is more than just the content of what you say in response to a question. It is also how you say it. Unfortunately, most candidates sit on one side of the response spectrum or the other. On one side, you will have the quiet introvert who responds in as few words as possible, usually leaving the exasperated interviewer in need of more detail. On the other hand, it is the talkative extrovert who will ramble endlessly on, leaving the hiring manager frustrated and confused with the answer provided.
To avoid all of this, it is imperative that your responses be clear and concise. This will present your point in the best way possible. The general rule of thumb is to try to answer a question in approximately sixty-seconds. Obviously, some questions such as a Yes/No will not need 60 seconds, while a multi-part complex inquiry may take longer overall, though, in most situations this will be a perfect range of time.
Answering in less time probably will force the hiring manager to ask follow-up question(s) in order to get the information needed. Or, worse, the person will fill in the gaps themselves and likely draw an incorrect conclusion. Most importantly, you are giving up a chance, with every short answer, to sell yourself over other candidates.
Providing too long of a response can be an issue for several reasons. It can cause a hiring manager to cut back on the number of questions that are asked in order to conduct the interview in the allotted time. This may create a situation where valuable information is missing in the rush to get to a conclusion. A long-winded answer can confuse the listener as this type of response is often hard to follow along for understanding. Furthermore, this type of elongated answer can create a perception that you are self-centered and not a team player.
Strong oral communication skills seems to be fading away in this era of social media, texting, and remote work. So, if you can speak with confidence in a clear, concise, and professional manner, this will grab the attention of the hiring manager and provide you with a real competitive advantage.
Answering in this clear and concise manner also allows for the interview to become more of a discussion rather than a traditional Q&A give and take. Your answers will naturally appear more conversational and will set the tone for this type of discussion.
The best way to make sure you are hitting this desired 60-second target is by practicing. On our website, www.wnyjobs.com, there is a library of job search articles. Amongst those available are several that focus on the most frequently asked questions from a hiring manager to a candidate. By practicing your responses to these expected inquiries, you will be able to customize your response to maximize its impact in an acceptable range of time. Utilizing a friend or family member to not only assess your response but also provide a time stamp that can be useful. This can be especially helpful for the introvert who may spend valuable time preparing a response in their head while the interviewer is waiting.
If you are in an interview and you find yourself becoming too wordy and not following the 60-second guideline then…pause. A well-timed pause can allow you to recompose yourself and direct yourself back to what you have prepared. It can also, if done well, actually improve the perception of your answer by providing the image that you are really focused on, giving your best response.
There may be times, however, when you want to go longer than 60-seconds. Earlier I referenced a situation where the person received a complex, multi-step question that just can’t be answered in the normal amount of time. Another sign that you can go longer is when the interviewer is nodding, verbally agreeing/commenting, or asking follow-up questions.
Very rarely are candidates hired solely based on their application/resume, or after a poor interview. The responses that you provide during the interview are critical to your selection for their open position. It is therefore imperative that you provide the hiring manager with clear and concise answers in approximately 60 seconds. Not only will this present you in a positive light but will show proper respect for the time constraints of the interviewer.
As always, best of luck in your job search.
The following has been prepared for the general information of RochesterJobs readers. It is not meant to provide advice with respect to any specific legal or policy matter and should not be acted upon without verification by the reader.
Joe Stein
WNY Human Resources Professional
Feel free to contact Joe Stein regarding questions or comments at:
Joe Stein
