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Fetcha Blog - Say goodbye to Rambling - May 2023

Say Goodbye to Rambling: Expert Tips For Interviewees

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, and one common pitfall for many candidates is rambling during the interview. Rambling can make you appear unprepared, disorganised, and can dilute your message. However, with some expert tips and techniques from Fetcha, you can effectively overcome this challenge and present yourself as a confident and articulate candidate.

In this article, we’ll discuss actionable strategies to help you curb rambling tendencies and master the art of concise and impactful communication during interviews.

Prepare and practice

One of the primary reasons candidates ramble is a lack of preparation. Before the interview, thoroughly research the company, the role, and common interview questions. Develop a clear understanding of your key skills, experiences, and achievements that are relevant to the position. Create a list of concise, well-structured responses that highlight your qualifications.

Practice your answers out loud or with a mock interviewer. Time yourself to ensure you stay within a reasonable time frame. By rehearsing your responses, you’ll become more comfortable with delivering succinct and focused answers.

Here’s 20 top tips for preparing and practicing.

Identify Key Messages

To avoid rambling, identify the key messages or points you want to convey during the interview. Focus on the most critical aspects of your background and qualifications that align with the job requirements. Prioritise these messages and ensure they are clear in your mind.

Use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses for behavioural or situational questions. This framework helps you provide concise and relevant answers that showcase your abilities and achievements.

Here’s a useful article that talks about tips for creating a powerful message.

Active Listening and Pausing

Active listening is crucial during interviews. Pay close attention to the interviewer’s questions and avoid jumping in with an immediate response. Take a brief pause to collect your thoughts and compose a concise and relevant answer.

Take cues from the interviewer’s body language and tone to gauge if you are providing enough information or if they require more details. Use the opportunity to clarify any doubts or ask for specific examples of what they are looking for in your response. Active listening not only helps you avoid rambling but also demonstrates your ability to comprehend and respond appropriately to questions.

Stay Structured and Focused

During the interview, maintain a structured and focused approach to your responses. Start with a brief introduction or context, followed by the main points you want to highlight, and conclude with a concise summary. This framework helps you stay organised and ensures your answers have a logical flow.

Avoid going off on tangents or sharing unnecessary details. Stick to the main topic and keep your responses relevant to the question at hand. If you catch yourself starting to ramble, take a deep breath, refocus, and steer the conversation back to the main point. Read this article for more details.

Still feeling anxious?

Hopefully the tips above will help you reduce that rambling, and instead wow your interviewers for your next application. Be sure to visit some of the links above for a little more detail and clarity on each section, from some trusted sources we’ve grown to love. 

If you’re still feeling anxious and would prefer to talk to our team about an upcoming interview, be sure to get in touch. We’re here to help.

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