The worst thing the hiring manager can tell you after an interview is that you were great, but you were #2. This series of ideas is devoted to making you the #1. I’m basing it on my many years of experience working with Physician Leaders and Healthcare Executives.
The tendency when we are anxious is to talk and talk and talk, perhaps desperately hoping to throw enough out there so some of it will stick. One author, Mary Doria Russell, wrote that those who go on and on should join the support group, On-And-On-Anon! Keep your answers between 90-120 seconds. It will focus you and allow for more questions. Shorter answers that are a complete answer to the question shows the interviewer that you can do this at work, in an email, or a voice mail. We don’t want the interviewers walking out thinking or saying, “That candidate wouldn’t shut up!” (and yes, that is what they say!) The remedy? Practice out loud in a recorded Zoom call with yourself…then listen with a timer. Then try it again, and again, and again. Don’t memorize, simply have a number of different ways to answer the question. Coaches live by this W.A.I.T. (Why Am I Talking?) Interviewees might take the same advice after two minutes.
So…I’m interested, what’s been your experience?