A Job Interview is Just a Conversation

Reader Comments
Back to blog

It looks like some people are questioning how to have a conversation naturally when on an interview.
The old advice, to be interestING, you need to be interestED still applies.
At AllianceStaff, we suggest you write out 5-6 questions before an interview - questions like 1)what common traits do you find most prevalent in the successful people here at your company? 2)why is the position open? 3)what is the most important task that you think needs to be done first when a new person is hired? 4)what tasks would you like to see eliminated from your priority list that can be done by this person? 5)what do you like about working here? 6)what is a typical day like for this person?
I think you get the idea. You can have them written out, and when the interviewer asks "do you have any questions" you can either look over your notes, and ask one that wasn't addressed, or you can say "I came in with a few questions, but you did such a thorough job of explaining things that you answered all of them during the interview" which is indeed a compliment to the interviewer, (you'll get props for that), and also, you get an opportunity to answer the question with a chance to talk. Its a way to see if you can think on your feet.
By getting in the habit of being prepared and anticipating the questions, you can be one step ahead of the competition for the interview.
For more tips on interviewing, please feel free to check out our website at www.alliancestaff.com and look at the candidate section. There may be more interview tips for you. Good luck!

Glenna Cose of WI 7:08PM August 27, 2009

an interview is a conversation that ends up into two:the interviewee will be glad or the interviewer will be furious and disappointed

annod of NV 8:45AM August 13, 2009

This is going to sound dumb or weird but I had trouble with the whole "Do you have any questions" thing. In school, no matter what they actually said, it was understood that you're not actually supposed to have any questions. A good student understands everything the first time. A great student knew all the information beforehand. Questions are for idiots.
So when someone asks, "Do you have any questions" the word "No" is out my mouth without even thinking of it. Hell, I was proud to say no to that question in job interviews before I found out they actually wanted to hear yes. I'd looked up information on the company. I'd paid attention to everything they said about the company, people, and the job during the interview. I'm not supposed to have any questions, right? The question sounded like a trap.
It STILL sounds like a trap even though I know the correct answer is yes.

Sharon of GA 2:05PM July 09, 2009

These great words of wisdom. With 30 years of Retail management experience to draw upon this falls right in line with using the KISS
principle. Do not over complicate it like many of us seem destined to do.

kal of NC 9:12PM July 06, 2009

All these tips are important. But to engage the interviewer one must be prepared with the right questions. Candidates are often asked if they have any questions. Too often the candidate sits there like deer in the headlights. They then come back with two or three general or bland questions. They fail to engage or make an impact.
Candidates that ask good questions do better every time than those that don't.
Brad Remillard
IMPACT Hiring Solutions
www.impacthiringsolutions.com

Brad Remillard of CA 6:27PM July 03, 2009

I interviewed a lot of people for jobs in my career and always positively responded to people who were good, natural conversationalists. This is very good advice.

A. Reader of WA 2:35PM July 01, 2009