Sound of Silence Part One – During the Interview

Most people aren’t comfortable with being quiet and most people aren’t comfortable in a job interview. In an interview, most people think they need to barrel through with responses, as if there’s a timer overhead and if they take too much time, they’ll be eliminated. When asked a question, many interviewees think silence may make them appear foolish.  Maybe you feel that way, too, but consider the following:

You’re sitting at an interview, the interviewer has just asked you the million dollar question, the question that could potentially turn the tide for you and will make or break you as the ideal candidate . What do you do? 

A – Will you rattle off your answer because you think it makes you seem like you’re “in the know?”

B – Will you “um” or “ah” a response that comes across as immature?

C – Or will you remember that all the answers lie within you, that you know how to respond to this question, and that a small pause to collect and organize your thoughts will tell the interviewer that you are the consummate pro for this job?  

Trust in the silence and in the ability you have to allow the perfect response to rise like cream to the top. 

Here’s your success,

Rita

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

~  Abraham Lincoln