Page 56 - You're Hired! Interview Answers

n Showing interest in the questions that are being asked: you can indicate duRing the inteRview
this both verbally and non-verbally, for example by head nodding in
response to the relevance of the question or by actually saying that you
recognise the merit of the question. Examples include:
– “That’s a good question”
– “Yes, I think that’s a very relevant point”
– “I can see that you’re trying to focus in on my planning skills here”
– “That’s an interesting question”

Using these phrases can also buy you precious thinking time!

n Signalling what is going on: for example, if you lose the thread of the point
you are making, don’t just plough on regardless but say, ‘I’m sorry, I’ve lost
the thread here, can you remind me of the original question?’ This helps
the interviewer to ‘manage’ you.

n Being alert to the interviewer’s tone, while not assuming from the
interviewer’s demeanour that you can assess the impact you are having
or how well you are doing. They have a professional job to do, which often
means they will be quite focused. Don’t let this put you off. The interviewer
will get annoyed if you are continually seeking approval for your answers
with phrases like ‘was that the right answer?’, or ‘is that OK, you look a bit
worried?’

Things that will definitely get in the way of rapport include:

n Too much questioning of the intent of a question or of the purpose of the
process. Phrases like ‘why are you asking that question?’ or ‘why do you
keep asking me for examples?’ will not go down well. It will make you
sound suspicious and cagey. It’s fine to clarify if you are unsure about a
particular question, but don’t make it sound as if you are questioning the
interviewer’s professionalism or motives.

n Too much challenging of the basis of the question, or telling the interviewer
what they should be asking. For example, ‘I’m not sure that your question
is relevant, given my experience’ or ‘I think a more relevant question would
have been …’ are not likely to help the interviewer warm to you.

n Referring to preparation notes. During the interview itself, it is very hard
to maintain rapport if you are trying to read notes. It also looks as if you
are trotting out a prepared answer rather than answering in real time. If

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