Whilst the interviewer is speaking: pay attention! Not just to what they are saying, but how they say it and what their body language is. Some people like to take notes as well, as this keeps them focused and calm. Once questions come to a conclusion, get comfortable with silence. Take a moment to think. Don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions about the initial question. Jot down key details and your thoughts.
“Take your time to collect your thoughts about it. It’s okay if there’s a pause. If there’s a silence, you can prime that by saying, ‘I just need a few minutes to think about how I’m going to respond to this’ in order to manage the interviewer and the moment of silence. Write down some notes to try and be structured. Then engage with the question.”
– Caroline Clark at Caroline Clark Coaching
Similarly you may receive feedback during the interview that you’re off track, or new information may come to light. Don’t be afraid to iterate.
Check in with the interviewer routinely to ensure you’re going in the right direction. Conclude your answer with a summary to make it clear you’re reached the end and remind them what you have said.
Get our interview prep flash cards here: Interview Flash Cards
