In the many interviews that I have hosted, there have been countless times when I have asked a simple question and when the answer has come back at me, I have thought to myself, “Did you even hear the question I asked?”

At times candidates don’t think about whether or not they actually are answering the questions asked by the interviewer/s. Make sure you understand what is being asked, and get further clarification if you are unsure. A common mistake is for the candidate to launch in, seemingly before they have thought about what might be the meaning behind the question, and what response the employer is hoping to hear.

Listen

Linked to the first suggestion in this column, Listening Well is a definite way in which you can differentiate yourself from your “competition”. Sometimes a question can be straight forward, and easy to answer. Other questions, you may get the sense that they are “loaded” or that there is a twist to it. You may not know exactly why, but you may sense something.

A great technique to use if you are not sure of the exact question, or your answer, is to clarify (or mirror) the question back to the interviewer in slightly different words. Paraphrasing the question helps them to clarify exactly what they are seeking in your answer (plus will no doubt buy you some valuable thinking time).

An interviewer will often give more credit to someone who has sat and thought about an answer, even for 10 seconds, rather than launching straight in. Pauses in an interview may seem awkward, however they give you some space to think. And remember – thinking before speaking in interviews is very, VERY important!! Speaking before thinking can be a disaster.