How to talk in a job interview: 7 useful tips
Job interviews are almost always complex situations where doubts and anxiety can easily arise. Of course, it all depends on the personality of each person and the context they have been living during the previous days, but going through a selection process that could significantly change how our life will be in the coming months, is something that can put the nerves on edge.
In this article we’ll see some tips on how to talk in a job interview based on relatively simple and easy to remember guidelines.
How to talk during a job interview
As much as you are a person who normally doesn’t have too many problems to socialize or engage in dialogue in non-formal contexts, you may be afraid of the possibility of getting soft, of saying something inappropriate , or of not knowing how to make yourself understood in a job interview. Many of these problems arise from the anxiety and fear caused by uncertainty and doubts about what to do.
So following a few guidelines about how to talk at a job interview can help you. Below you will find several key ideas to apply in that phase of the recruitment process .
1. Do not abuse the crutches
Using informal expressions is not totally forbidden, but since you are interested in showing your more professional side, it is good to moderate its use. On the other hand, using some of them in a very punctual way and showing that you are aware that their use is a kind of license to make yourself understood, usually transmits an impression of honesty and transparency , as long as it is not based on a foul language.
2. Avoid ramblings
Ambiguous and unclear answers, explaining secondary ideas of little interest or little related to what we have been asked, is always a negative thing.
Therefore, even if the question we have to answer puts us in an uncomfortable situation, it is better to give a clear answer than to make up excuses for not giving the information we are asked. In this way, at least we will show honesty, while if we beat about the bush, besides appearing uncooperative, interviewers usually imagine the worst possible response .
3. Don’t speed up your speech
This is one of the most important pieces of advice when it comes to knowing how to speak in a job interview, because choosing this communicative style offers two advantages.
On the one hand, speaking more slowly makes us adopt a calmer mental and physiological state , and at the same time problems such as getting stuck combining words or getting a dry mouth are less likely to appear, phenomena that can make us feel more insecure. In short, it improves the quality of communication, as long as it is not spoken in an extremely slow manner. The key is not to rush through the words, but to pause too long between them.
On the other hand, it helps to mask the moments when we hesitate about what to say. But beware, remember to avoid beating about the bush, and taking too long to respond can be interpreted as a variant of rambling.
4. Rely on non-verbal language
It is important that the nerves you will experience do not limit your mobility. That is why accompanies what you say with some hand gestures , although these should be rather subtle and not detract from your words (moreover, when sitting at a table, the range of movement of your arms is limited).
In addition, it is good for you to train to work on the richness of your non-verbal language in terms of the tonality and musicality of your speech. The aim is to avoid using too monotonous a tone, which is typical for some people who want to adapt to a very formal communicative style. However, avoid consciously memorizing parts of what you want to say accompanied by a certain way of intonation, or it will be too artificial. It should come up spontaneously, without you making any effort .
On the other hand, it is very important to look into the eyes and project the voice well, without it being too muffled by shyness or insecurity. This is something that many people master even in conversations where there is a certain degree of anxiety, but in some cases it is something that has to be worked on.
5. Save the questions for the end
It is important to show interest in the job offer and ask some questions about what makes us curious or what we need to know. However, it is preferable not to ask these questions just when they arise, but to remember them and to explain them at the end of the interview. This way we will not break the rhythm of the dialogue .
6. Refer to the CV
If you support what you are explaining by making references to the information contained in your CV , the interviewer will find it easier to connect the dots and know what you are talking about. Remember that the way you make yourself understood also has an impact on the way you will be assessed.
7. Focus on your work and educational experience
Remember that, unless they introduce other topics, these two aspects are the ones that interest the people in charge of carrying out the selection process the most. Don’t change the subject unless you have a very good excuse for it, and if you do, try not to take too long to explain it.