Menu
Pay Attention To The Following Signs
Like any other conversation, a job interview is a two-way street. It’s as much about how well you listen and what you say. And listening is more than just hearing the other person’s words. How interviewers feel, how they ask their questions, and what they do while listening to your answers can tell you a lot about the direction the interview is taking. Are they making eye contact? Are you leaning forward as you speak? Nod? These are all good signs that the recruiter is paying attention to you.
Listen to the hidden questions.
No job interview question is simple. In all cases, the recruiter seeks not only information about your skills and experience but also clues to how your thinking process works, how committed you are to the job, and how well you can fit in with the company culture. For example, if a recruiter asks you to describe a time when you accomplished a difficult task with a deadline, he is trying to get an idea of how well you work under pressure and how you work with other people in less ideal circumstances. Therefore, don’t limit your answer to the obvious. Remember that during job interviews, explaining how you got to a particular point can be just as important as showing that you got there in the first place.
Listen to get the recruiter’s attention.
Obviously, you want to keep the recruiter’s attention during the job interview. Even if they are one of those people who constantly check their cell phones while talking, you can still pick up clues as to whether they are involved in the conversation or not. The most obvious clue is whether they are doing more than just asking questions. A true dialogue is more than a Q&A. It involves stories, comments, and responses from both sides.
If the recruiter seems to be following a script, break his routine by asking questions. For example, after answering that question about meeting deadlines, ask the recruiter if he or she has ever been in a similar situation or if you can expect to face tight deadlines as part of working at their company. Keep in mind that a recruiter will always remember the candidate they had a real conversation with better than those who simply let themselves be guided through their list of questions.
Listen to keep the recruiter interested.
Pay attention to the signs that tell you you are losing the recruiter’s interest. Some clues are obvious. Their eyes may wander, for example. Others are more subtle. Taking someone’s wandering attention will depend a lot on how well you read it. People differ, after all. A recruiter who is comfortable multitasking can carry on an engaged conversation even if they are checking their email while they speak.
Although the recruiter is the one who asks the questions during the interview, the candidate also has many opportunities to lead the conversation. Always pay attention to clues about the interviewer’s interests and commitment. You will find them in the things they do, as well as in what they say.
