By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
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There was an interesting survey I read years ago that, I think, came from Korn-Ferry, the international search firm. The survey said that the primary reason people are rejected on interviews is NOT for lack of skills competency.
The primary reason people are rejected is that they talk too much—almost 40% are rejected because of that. Approximately 20% are rejected because they behaved arrogantly on the interview.
So, what does this say to you about how you should behave on an interview?
Keep your answers to the point of the question
Where possible, keep your answers to approximately 45 seconds in length. For in-depth questions, you can speak for a minute. If your answer could go into detail, continue by asking, “Would you like me to go into more detail?”
One thing you need to do when answering questions is to keep an eye out for rapport with the interviewer. If you sense you are “losing them,” ask a question that draws them back in.
Always remember that your voice AND body language are sales tools when you are interviewed. You want to demonstrate confidence but not arrogance when answering questions.
Listen carefully to what is asked and what may be absent from what is asked of you. If the absent item might be critical to the answer, politely ask if they would like you to expand your answer to include it.
If you are in a technical discipline and asked a question for which a technical answer or overview (plain-English) answer could be given, ask which they would prefer . . . or whether they would like a blended answer (Do you want me to give an overview, go into detail or blend my answer for you?)
Speak to the person who is interviewing you as though they are someone with a problem and that they are trying to figure out if you are capable of solving it. Never “talk down” to them.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2008, 2016, 2020, 2022, 2025
I also released a lot of content to help you professionally including:
Alerts https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2su
6 Ways to Influence an Interviewer https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mBB
Networking Is As Important as Your Resume https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mBF
The 7-38-55 Rule of Interviewing https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mAB
WOW Them at Job Fairs https://wp.me/p4aIk1-VC
Job Interview Mistakes: Crossing The Line https://youtu.be/6_2REZlv078
Should I Send a Thank You Note After I Get the Job? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mAv
What’s Your Personal Brand? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mBm
What Your Efforts to Lose Weight Reveal About Job Hunting? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fQT
Weekend Warriors: It’s No Longer About Working Out https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eFd
6 Steps to Becoming a Board Member https://youtu.be/KGzdas_v9qY
When You’re Afraid https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gGg
Thoughts About Work-Life Integration https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mAT
Career Coach Office Hours: February 25 2025 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mBc
How Are People Finding Jobs? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mAW
3 Easy Ways to Get Better Resume Results https://wp.me/p4aIk1-n0
Unpaid Work Is Part of the Norm https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eQk
Targeting Your Résumé https://youtu.be/8q_6qGAEyA8
Resume Mistakes: Making Changes to Your Resume Visible https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mAl
No BS Career Advice: February 23, 2025 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mAa
Rewriting Your Resume for Results https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mzN
Career Agility: Strategies for Success – Key Themes https://wp.me/p4aIk1-myl
What Are the Hidden Job Search Tools Most Candidates Overlook? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mz5
Job Search Lessons from the Movies: Jobs https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6ZH
There is No Reason Not To Respond to a Message on LinkedIn https://youtu.be/ZGlrwxn5_9A
The Dangerous Thought That Will Sabotage Your Job Search https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dXG
Don’t Answer This Interview Question So Fast! https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ewv
How Far Can You Go? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fLB
Relocating? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2mO
You Make Me Crazy! https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5kT
Job Search Lessons from the Movies: Jobs
Using Links to Stand Out https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ke
Job Search Using AI https://youtu.be/xrPchh5y6KU
Subscribe to No BS Job Search Advice Radio, the #1 podcast in Apple Podcasts for job search wherever you listen to podcasts.
I can help you with your job search. Join me at JobSearch.Community for advice about your job search and coaching from me.
I won’t be doing Career Coach Office Hours this week to attend a funeral. It will be back next week on Tuesday at 12 noon Eastern.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter*
*TM The Big Game Hunter, Inc, Asheville, NC 2007