Long-Windedness: A Job Interview Killer

Back to blog

Long winded

Dear Alison,

What about the persons who do interview in a flip flop way. Some keep juggling technical and HR Questions. They usually cut us in the mid way of answering that shows we are talking too long. But after answering some questions shortly they give a pause, then what are we supposed to do should we continue with our short and specific answers or is it that he was just thinking of a question during that pause?

AJay R @ Jul 23, 2009 23:27:44 PM

Good communication skills

I totally agree! In addition, I think it also comes down to good communication skills. After all, if you're delivering long monologues on the phone, there's no way of checking that the person on the other end has understood you, or is in agreement / disagreement with what you say. That's why clarifying phrases (such as in the article above "Does that give you what you're looking for...?") are so important for effective communication skills.

Clare

http://www.JobMarketSuccess.com

Clare of CO @ Mar 31, 2009 06:49:09 AM

Brevity and Clarity are Underrated

I absolutely agree with Ask A Manager. While long-windedness isn't necessarily a bad thing, if rampant, it can be a huge impediment to productivity in the workplace (who hasn't sat through a pointless, long-winded presentation?)

For example, I worked with a young girl just out of college who, in spite of her English degree, could not write a 3 sentence email to save her life. She would send these long, rambling, stream of consciousness email to customers who would then complain to company that it took forever to figure out what she wanted.

We coached her, edited her, but short of thinking and writing for her, we could not get her to be more succinct. This wasted huge amounts of time and resources and may have possible tarnished our reputation with our customers.

Seattle Girl of WA @ Mar 30, 2009 16:13:25 PM

Long winded

I learned long ago that the answer to any question should be short, to the point, but complete. Then I shut up and look expectantly at the interviewer. If s/he wants more info I'll expand, but I don't think I've ever given an answer in an interview that was longer than about a minute. If asked a yes/no question, the answer will be one sylable.

If only I could convince my wife to answer my either/or questions with one or two words...

Gene of WA @ Mar 30, 2009 14:57:27 PM

Back to blog

Add Your Thoughts
About You
On Careers

On Careers

Find savvy job advice from the brains behind top careers blogs, including Jobacle, Ask a Manager, What Would Dad Say, Newly Corporate, Cheezhead, Evil HR Lady, The M.A.P. Maker and Execupundit.

advertisement

advertisement

Subscribe

U.S. News Digital Weekly

A weekly insider's guide to politics and policy — in a multimedia, digital format. 52 issues for $19.95!

U.S. News & World Report

6 months of U.S. News & World Report's print edition for only $15. Save up to 67% off the cover price!