It’s important to realize that an ideal interview is a conversation, not an interrogation. Your interviewer is a human being just like you, so you’ve got to humanize them in your mind (and no, we don’t mean picturing them in their underwear). A better way to do this is by asking your interviewer a follow-up question after giving an answer. Remember, an interrogation is one-sided while a conversation is two-sided. For example, let’s imagine you’re asked to list some of your greatest strengths. After answering, respond with, “What is the #1 strength you are looking for in this position?”
This is going to do a couple of things for you. First, it takes pressure off yourself to constantly talk. Second, you’re going to get some key insights into candidate qualities the company is looking for. Based on the answer you receive, you can explain how you embody the characteristics you heard. By drawing connections between yourself and an ideal employee, you’re painting a positive picture of yourself in the interviewer’s head. You’re going to seem more engaged and create a more enjoyable conversation for everyone involved. Much better than rattling off answer after answer.
