Talk Too Much During Interviews? Here&#8217;s How to Fix It

Interviews

Talk Too Much During Interviews? Here’s How to Fix It

Cut the rambling—and improve your performance

John Lombard is a content strategist and writer with over a decade of experience creating interactive and video content for brands like Apple, IBM, and Samsung. He previously worked at Mediabistro and now serves as a Client Strategist at Ceros.

4 min read • Originally published October 4, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

4 min read • Originally published October 4, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Think back on your last interview. Did you talk to the point where the hiring manager’s eyes glazed over?

If so, you probably rambled on a little too long.

Here, we’re talking with media pros to learn why over-talking can ruin your chances of landing the job, as well as a few steps you can take to make sure you never do it again.

Talking Too Much Hurts Your Chances

Sure, it’s not the worst thing you could do in an interview, but it can hurt your chances of getting the gig. Nicole Williams, career expert and founder of WORKS by Nicole Williams points to a quote from Pauline Phillips (creator of the Dear Abby column): “The more you talk, the less you are listened to.”

“Interviewers are of course looking to learn about you and get a sense of your personality,” says Williams. “However, what they really want is someone who is succinct, articulate and pensive.”

Another thing to consider is the interviewer’s schedule. Dan Auerbach, operations director at Intuitive Digital, says the interviewer often schedules back-to-back interviews with several candidates. So, if you ramble over your allotted time, you risk disrupting the interviewer’s entire schedule.

Be Prepared

If you enter an interview without fully preparing for questions, you’ll be sure to ramble. To fix this, Williams suggests conducting a mock interview with a friend and recording the interview. In review, you can tell where you stumble, where you’re a little too verbose, and what responses can be polished.

“Being comfortable with what you are saying and how you structure your sentences is very important when it comes to interviews,” says Williams. “You don’t want to give one-word answers and you certainly don’t want to dive into a five-minute spiel.”

Polish your interview skills, impress the hiring manager and dramatically increase your odds of landing the job with a mock interview.

Deal with Silences

One of the oldest tricks in the book is the interviewer waiting longer than usual to respond after you’ve answered their question. Sometimes, the interviewer is simply taking notes; other times, he or she sees how you’ll fill the void.

“People typically see this as they didn’t answer the question properly and would fill that space with more information, typically stuff that may hurt their chances,” says David Blacker, managing principal of digital marketing agency Venerate Media Group.

Rather than continuing to answer the question, Blacker recommends asking, “Did that answer your question, or were you looking for more clarity?”

FAQs: Enhancing Interview Skills and Managing Over-Talking

Q: Why can talking too much during an interview be detrimental?

A: Talking excessively can hinder your chances because it might lead to less engagement from the interviewer, indicating a lack of brevity and thoughtfulness. It also risks overrunning the allocated time, potentially disrupting the interviewer’s schedule.

Q: What steps can be taken to prepare for an interview?

A: Prepare by conducting mock interviews with a friend and recording them to identify and polish areas where your responses may be too long or lack clarity. This helps you structure your answers more effectively and avoid rambling.

Q: How can one ensure they are not over-talking in an interview?

A: Be concise and articulate in your responses, delivering clear and relevant information without unnecessary details. Practice structuring your answers to questions in an informative yet concise way.

Q: What should you do when faced with silence after answering a question in an interview?

A: Embrace the silence as a normal part of the interview process. If you feel compelled to fill the void, ask the interviewer if your answer was sufficient or if they need further clarification instead of continuing to talk.

Q: How does being overly verbose affect the interviewer’s perception?

A: Over-talking can make you seem less articulate and possibly less confident in your answers. Interviewers appreciate candidates who can express themselves clearly and efficiently, reflecting good communication skills and respecting the interviewer’s time.

Q: What role does preparation play in avoiding over-talking?

A: Adequate preparation allows you to answer questions more confidently and concisely, reducing the likelihood of rambling. It helps you anticipate questions and structure your thoughts ahead of time.

Q: How can mock interviews help in reducing over-talking?

A: Mock interviews provide a safe environment to practice your responses, helping you identify when you’re prone to over-talking. They allow you to refine your answers and improve your ability to communicate effectively and concisely.

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Hot Jobs

Freelance and Contract Media Jobs Are Quietly Reshaping the Market

By Mediabistro

The Mediabistro editorial team draws on 25 years of media industry expertise to cover jobs, careers, and trends shaping the industry.

4 min read • Originally published March 5, 2026 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Mediabistro

The Mediabistro editorial team draws on 25 years of media industry expertise to cover jobs, careers, and trends shaping the industry.

4 min read • Originally published March 5, 2026 / Updated March 19, 2026

The Gig Economy Grew Up

Something worth watching is unfolding across today’s job board. A significant share of the most interesting new postings aren’t full-time positions at all. They’re contract, freelance, and part-time roles that demand senior-level experience and offer real creative ownership in return. These are structured engagements with clear deliverables, defined compensation, and the kind of autonomy that used to require starting your own shop.

The shift is especially visible in production and content roles, where companies are building lean teams of experienced specialists rather than staffing up with generalists. Several of today’s featured employers are small, fast-moving organizations that have designed their workflows around distributed talent from the start. For freelancers and contractors, that distinction matters: you’re joining an operation built for remote collaboration, not retrofitting a cubicle job into a Slack channel.

If you’ve been building a freelance career or considering the leap from full-time, today’s listings offer a useful snapshot of how the market values contract expertise right now. If you’re exploring that transition, our guide on leaving a job without burning bridges is a solid starting point.

Today’s Hot Jobs

AI Content Editor, Fiction and Creative at Research on Point

Why this role is worth your attention: The AI editorial pipeline is producing a new category of specialist, and this listing spells out exactly what that looks like. You’ll serve as the final quality gate on AI-generated drafts, rewriting passages that read flat or generic and ensuring tonal consistency across creative and fiction content. The $25–$35/hour rate is competitive for freelance editing work, and the fact that the company has already built a functioning human-AI workflow signals stability rather than experimentation.

What they need from you:

Experienced writer/editor comfortable performing substantive “w-editing,” not just proofreading
Ability to compare AI drafts against original human-crafted inputs for accuracy and completeness
Skill at rewriting passages that feel repetitive, generic, or tonally inconsistent
U.S.-based candidates only; fully remote and contract

Paid Social and Digital Advertising Manager at How To Academy

The draw here: How To Academy is a premium cultural events brand expanding its U.S. programming, and they need someone to build and run paid social campaigns that drive ticket sales across multiple cities. This is a contract retainer role, which means ongoing work with strategic depth rather than a one-off campaign. You’ll own full-funnel campaign structures across Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and more, working closely with programming and marketing teams to scale audience acquisition while protecting a carefully cultivated brand voice.

Key qualifications:

Deep expertise in paid social strategy across Meta platforms, with additional channel experience a plus
Proven ability to build full-funnel campaigns from awareness through conversion
Analytical rigor combined with the agility to manage campaigns across different markets simultaneously
Experience aligning paid social with broader marketing efforts including email and organic content

Apply for the Paid Social Manager role

Social Media Producer (Travel Required) at Showplace

What makes this one different: Showplace designs and launches high-performing Airbnb and short-term rental properties, and they want a social media producer who will physically travel to installs and job sites to capture content in the field. At $35/hour with all travel expenses covered, this part-time role (20–30 flexible hours per week) offers a rare combination: creative ownership, real-world production work, and the freedom to manage your own schedule. You’ll own the full content lifecycle from on-location shooting through publishing.

The must-haves:

Ability to shoot and produce short-form vertical video for Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and LinkedIn
Comfort being on camera and filming yourself during production
Experience managing social platforms with strategic intent, not just posting
Willingness to travel to project sites and events across the country

Apply for the Social Media Producer position

Producer and Showrunner, Sports Video Series at Mustard Squad HQ

The opportunity in a nutshell: This is a ground-floor role building a sports video series from scratch, structured as a three-month proof of concept at $2,500/month with a clear path to $4,500/month full-time plus performance bonuses if the format succeeds. You’ll research stadiums, write 10–12 minute scripts blending education and comedy, coordinate freelance hosts and videographers, and manage production end-to-end. The founder is looking for someone who can operate as a COO, making 90% of decisions independently in an async-first environment.

Ideal background:

5+ years of media production experience with a portfolio of content you’ve produced and managed
Track record managing teams and freelancers with minimal oversight
Strong written communication skills suited to an async-first workflow
Sports knowledge preferred, especially baseball, though not required

Apply for the Producer/Showrunner role

Professional Takeaways

The contract and freelance market is rewarding specificity right now. Each of today’s featured roles targets a narrow, well-defined skill set: AI-assisted editing, full-funnel paid social, on-location content production, independent show management. Generalist pitches won’t land these gigs.

If you’re pursuing contract work, tailor your portfolio and outreach to highlight the exact capability each employer is buying. Show them finished work that mirrors their workflow, reference tools and platforms they mention by name, and make it easy for a hiring manager to picture you slotting into their operation on day one. And keep your LinkedIn profile current, because contract hiring managers move fast and often start their search there.

Browse more openings on our Writing and Editing jobs board for additional opportunities posted today.

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Hot Jobs

Advice From the Pros

5 Reasons to Start Your Career at an Advertising Agency

You have your degree—now what?

Ayana Young is a communications and PR strategist with 15+ years of experience spanning media relations, lifestyle brands, professional sports, and publishing.

4 min read • Originally published July 17, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

Ayana Young is a communications and PR strategist with 15+ years of experience spanning media relations, lifestyle brands, professional sports, and publishing.

4 min read • Originally published July 17, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

For a young professional just entering the business world, an advertising agency can be an attractive fit. They are commonly known for having great culture, cool office spaces and exciting work, but also come with frequent late nights and a lot of hard work. While the hours could be better, they’re an incredible place to develop in your early career.

If you’re not sure whether an agency is right for you, here are a few great benefits to consider.

1. It will be easier to find a job

Advertising agencies go out of their way to hire, train, develop and retain young talent. They recognize the fact that young people are, to some extent, “shaping” the digital landscape, and for that reason they want their perspectives and minds in-house at their agencies. With the sea of options for young graduates, you will see that agencies will be more receptive to hiring somebody with little experience because they are highly valuing your mindset, creativity and potential for innovative ideas.

2. It will help you find what you like about business

When I first started out in marketing full-time, I had no idea what department or aspect of marketing would interest me the most. College courses give you a brief introduction to what an ad agency will be like, and what other marketing jobs are available, but you don’t truly know until you get out in the workforce.

For instance, I thought I would want to be in Account Management, managing people, relationships and process—but I quickly found that I loved digital media and doing the actual implementation. I didn’t know until I got into the workforce how addicting spreadsheets and data analytics can be. Ad agencies give you the ability to work with multiple departments, see what other individuals do and allow you to just take in what all goes into driving business results.

3. It will make you better at time management

Working at an advertising agency as a young professional will form you into an incredibly well-organized, time-management machine. It will be stressful and you will have to meet multiple deadlines in one week (or day!) but give it a few years and you’ll see that those stressful times helped mold you into a more efficient employee.

Although they have a reputation of being fun with pool tables and ping-pong, ad agency employees are some of the most hard-working people I’ve ever met. Luckily most do embrace the work-hard, play-hard attitude, so you will be rewarded for those stressful days. Either way, I’ve taken prioritization and time management learnings from my days in agency life and I now apply them universally to the rest of my life, and it’s invaluable.

4. It makes you a better sales person

Ad agency work is challenging—not only because of tight deadlines and volume of work, but also because of the need to sell the value of the work once it’s done. Meetings with clients are always sales meetings to an extent, because with the average client switching agencies every three to five years, you need to let them know you’re providing consistent value.

Additionally, you learn to sell yourself and your own value, not just the agency’s value as a whole. Personally, in regards to digital media management, I often track optimizations that I make and calculate their potential dollar value effect on the company. That’s something I learned to do by working at an advertising agency because you can tell a client, “had we not done x, you would have missed out on x amount of dollars.” As a young professional, you’re going to need to sell your value and sell your company’s value, and an agency will give you the opportunity to practice that while you are still developing in your career.

5. It lets you see all angles and perspectives

Whether you’re working as a freelancer, at an agency or in-house, it’s easy to forget that there are other perspectives and ideas out there. You think that your way of looking at things is THE way. However, when you are able to find common ground and understand other people, it makes you a better professional in whatever field you’re in.

Working at an advertising agency allows you to see their side of the marketing world, which in turn makes you a more understanding employee on the other side. Nothing is more frustrating when you work at an agency and the client just “doesn’t get it”— it’s hard to sell through ideas and it’s hard to make them realize certain things are just not possible because of timelines or other logistical constraints. When you can understand and relate, it makes everybody more efficient.

Was that convincing enough?

Hopefully it gets you to at least consider it! If I could go back in time and choose again, I would renew the “work at an agency” option over and over again. Although there are pros and cons to any career path, I think it gives you the most flexibility to learn, understand and develop at a young age. As a result, employers in the future will see you as more valuable, and your future colleagues will be blown away by your effectiveness.

Grow your knowledge in everything from influencer marketing to social media marketing with one of our self-guided online Marketing and Communications courses.

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Advice From the Pros, Be Inspired

Interview Tips

Job Interview Horror Stories That Will Make You Feel Better About Yours

No matter how confident or prepared you are, some interviews can still turn scary

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

4 min read • Originally published October 31, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Dana Robinson

4 min read • Originally published October 31, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Usually the scariest part of a job interview is the anticipation of it. But for some people, the real nightmare didn’t begin until one dark and stormy afternoon when they walked into an ordinary office building and opened a creaky HR office door…

The time I passed out

I contracted the flu right before my interview for an information technology position. I’d applied for the job about a year before the actual interview. In the meantime I had to take a test and wait until the HR board decided to actually fill the position. Since it took so long to get the live interview I didn’t want to postpone. It was a great opportunity, and I couldn’t miss out.

I was sick, dehydrated and of course a little nervous going into the meeting–and I wound up passing out during the interview. I had tunnel vision and I faintly heard the interviewer say that he was calling for an ambulance.

The director called me the next day to check up on me and reschedule the interview, which we did about a month later. The second interview went well, but I didn’t get the job. —Anonymous

The time I drew a complete blank

During my interview for an assistant editor position, I met with a panel of about five employees from the company. One of them asked me about my duties at my previous job, and my mind went blank. I was completely silent for about 10-15 seconds and just stared out the window at a tree while I tried to think of something to say. I was eventually able to collect my thoughts and answer the question, but the damage had been done. After the interview I felt that I wouldn’t hear anything more from them regarding the position. I was right. —Mike Rivers

The time I failed at doors

I opened a broom closet instead of the front door when I was trying to make my exit from the interview. —Laura H.

The time I couldn’t keep it together

It was just an interview for a clerical job, but I was young and super nervous. My voice was trembling, and the interviewer could see that I was a wreck. He tried to get me to relax, but once I realized that he could see that I was nervous—it just made me more nervous! A few minutes later he tried again to get me to calm down, and then things really got bad. Toward the end of the interview I started apologizing to him…a lot! He seemed very annoyed, and I never heard from the company again. —Scott Rowden

The time I was seriously grossed out

I met with one of the partners at the firm who spent the entire interview coughing and spitting…into a Styrofoam cup. —Anonymous

The time I got stung

I was interviewing to be a production assistant in New York. I was so into giving my pitch that I didn’t notice that a bee had landed on my hand. Then it stung me! I ran my hand under some cold water in the sink and then got back to the interview. But in the end I got the gig and my first broadcast credit! —Nancy Matson

The time the director fell asleep

Sure, I was available at 9 pm to come to his home/office for an interview! The job was for a screenwriter position and the writer/director was there along with an assistant and another job candidate. Eventually, the other candidate and the assistant left, so then it was just me and the writer/director. He kept asking me if I would be willing to do secretarial work in addition to script work.

By now it’s about 11 pm and he’s still asking me interview questions. Then he starts to kind of… fall asleep in the chair in front of me. At which point I’m like, “Okay, so, yeah! Let’s continue this later!” And I got out of there. —Laura Bahr

The time I nearly suffocated

I interviewed with a tobacco company fresh out of college. The people interviewing me smoked the ENTIRE time. As I sat there struggling to breath and feeling a sore throat coming on, they asked me if I was a smoker. I said no. I was pretty sure that at that point I didn’t get the job. I was right. —Marcia Perry-Jones

The time I didn’t know what I was getting myself into

The job advertisement was seeking a copywriter for an “industry trade magazine.” It turns out that the industry was porn. I would have been writing for a sex toy magazine to be exact. The interviewer warned me that taking the job might negatively impact my ability to work elsewhere, and then he sent me home with several copies of the publication and told me to call him if I was still interested. I never called him back. —Anonymous

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Climb the Ladder

How to Answer “What Is Your Desired Salary?” in a Job Interview

Scouted was a hiring marketplace that matched candidates to roles based on potential, serving clients from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies.

4 min read • Originally published December 13, 2019 / Updated March 19, 2026

Scouted was a hiring marketplace that matched candidates to roles based on potential, serving clients from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies.

4 min read • Originally published December 13, 2019 / Updated March 19, 2026

There’s always a point in the job process when you are asked the dreaded question: What are your salary expectations?

This might be a line to fill out in the initial application, a standard part of the HR phone interview, or a conversation with the hiring manager after the pool has been narrowed to a few candidates. Regardless of when the question arises, you need to be prepared to give an appropriate answer that won’t undervalue your worth or jeopardize your chances of advancing in the interview process.

Before you hit “submit” on that job posting, keep these tips in mind for answering the “desired salary” question whenever it comes up.

Deflect the Question as Long as Possible

Ideally, the salary discussion should be a signal that an offer is on the way. But not all companies have that perspective. Sometimes hiring managers will ask early on in the interview process for your salary expectations, perhaps even before you’ve met anyone in person. The last thing you want to do is be caught off guard and blurt out a random number, especially when you don’t really know yet what the position entails.

In reality, the best time to discuss salary expectations is at the end of the process, after you’ve had an opportunity to learn about the position and demonstrate how your experience is a good fit. If asked for your desired salary at the beginning of the recruitment cycle, you can reiterate your interest in learning more about the job before giving a concrete answer. Similarly, if your desired salary is asked on the initial job application, you can write “negotiable” or “commensurate with job expectations.”

Not to mention, it’s extremely important to reiterate how excited you are for the chance to work at the company and in the position itself. As a candidate, it’s important never to let it look as though you’re only after the money the job offers. Companies want candidates who are invested and passionate about the work, so remind hiring managers that you are!

Don’t Give Away Your Salary History

Sometimes, instead of asking for salary expectations, a hiring manager will ask you what your current salary is. Often, the tactic is to offer you a slightly higher salary than you’re currently making, but the offer might still be below market rate or what the company can actually pay. Not to mention that in some states, asking about past salary is illegal.

On the flip side, many people switch careers or industries over time, and sometimes this involves taking a pay cut. If you are moving from a more lucrative industry (like engineering or financial services) to a typically lower-paying industry (like nonprofits), you might be comfortable taking a lower salary—but the bigger numbers in your salary history could scare a hiring manager away.

To avoid these issues altogether, focus all discussions instead on the salary data you’ve collected (more on this in a minute), how your qualifications meet the job description, and what you expect your salary to be for the new position.

Be Prepared With Research

It’s not just enough to want a specific salary. You need to see how your work experience and the job itself fit into larger market trends. Online resources like Glassdoor and Salary.com provide insight into salaries for specific positions, companies, industries, and locations. You can also use one of the salary calculators offered by PayScale or LinkedIn to get a more personalized look at your worth in the job market. These will also take into account your educational experience, location, and other factors that would statistically affect your potential salary.

One additional factor you should consider is whether you will be an exempt employee (which means you are not eligible for overtime) or nonexempt employee (which means you are eligible for overtime). During the interview process, learn what your expected hours will be and whether you will be working nights and weekends. Armed with this additional information from the company itself, you will be better equipped as you conduct salary research to determine a fair wage.

Give a Range Rather Than a Single Number

So you’ve done the research, deflected the question until it’s almost offer time, and now you are ready to share your desired salary. Rather than lock yourself into a specific number ($50,000), it’s better to offer a range ($50,000–$60,000). When determining your range, the higher number can be aspirational; the company may offer you the upper range, but if not, the lower range appears more “affordable” by comparison. Of course, make sure the lower number in your range is still high enough for you to be comfortable accepting the offer.

Remember to Negotiate

If you receive an offer that’s lower than you expected, it never hurts to ask for a higher salary or to learn what additional compensation opportunities (bonuses, merit raises, commissions, etc.) are available. In addition, you might consider negotiating other benefits such as vacation time, tuition assistance, and remote working options. Remember, you can say no to an offer that does not match your desired salary, based on your industry research, work experience, and job responsibilities. The job that deserves you is out there somewhere, and it’s okay to keep looking.

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Candidates, Climb the Ladder

Interview Tips

How to Turn a Job Interview Into a Natural Conversation

An interview is an exploration of a partnership from both sides, not a scripted list of questions and answers

Ayana Young is a communications and PR strategist with 15+ years of experience spanning media relations, lifestyle brands, professional sports, and publishing.

4 min read • Originally published August 28, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

Ayana Young is a communications and PR strategist with 15+ years of experience spanning media relations, lifestyle brands, professional sports, and publishing.

4 min read • Originally published August 28, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

Have you ever been in a very awkward conversation? Like, just painfully awkward? Do you also remember the feeling after walking away from that conversation?

You were probably relieved that it was over. You probably felt flustered or frustrated because it was uncomfortable, and you didn’t know if it was because of you, or because of the other person, or just the topic.

Well, unfortunately, that same type of situation can often keep you from getting a job. Aside from answers to questions, candidates are judged on their personality traits like confidence, passion, curiosity, tone of voice, perceived kindness, sense of humor and more. Another significant soft skill is the ability to maintain a smooth, productive and optimistic conversation that flows effortlessly.

Meeting a recruiter or potential supervisor for the first time can end up being very robotic and one-sided, which causes the candidate to feel like they are answering a questionnaire rather than just talking to a real person. It can trick the candidate’s brain into the trap of realizing it’s a test, increasing their likelihood to feel under pressure, rather than realizing it is really just a conversation between two people to see if there is a mutual fit.

Unfortunately, if the conversation is awkward as a result of being one-sided, or you don’t knock it out of the park with all 10/10 answers, it ends up reflecting poorly on you even if it’s not entirely your fault.

The best to avoid this awkward fate is to come prepared with questions of your own. Interviews are not a one-way street. They are a chance for two people to come together and explore the idea of working together.

Think of it as vetting a partnership. When both parties are doing an equal amount of talking, the candidate has more of a chance to let their personality shine and the conversation becomes more organic and productive as a result.

There are questions candidates can ask to help move the conversation along naturally. Here are a few you can take to your next interview to make sure the interviewer not only is impressed by your experience, but is blown away by how great the conversation was.

Asking About the Interviewer

These questions will start the conversation off nicely because the recruiter will definitely ask you about your current role, where you’re from and start going down your resume. Take the opportunity to break up the conversation and ask them about themselves. This will help create more of a normal conversation between two people and less of a scripted scenario.

Asking About the “Meat” of the Role

The above questions are the most important part of the interview. This is where you truly find out if you can realistically achieve the needs of the company for that particular role. You will undoubtedly be asked about experience, and you will be asked to go in depth about your past roles so that the interviewer can get a feel for what your key strengths are. Asking the above questions will bring even further depth and clarity into the conversation for both the candidate and the interviewer.

Longer Term, Bigger Picture, Higher Level Questions

The above questions will impress the interviewer because of your ability to think big picture. It will show the interviewer that you’re genuinely interested in the nitty gritty details of the role, showing that you’re taking it very seriously. Let your genuine curiosity come across by asking about how you’ll be working with other team members and departments, and nudge them to give you insights into their long term visions. They will appreciate the initiative and passion.

And Before You Go…

1. What is your biggest concern or reservation with hiring me for the position, based on what you’ve heard so far?

This is your one final opportunity to destroy any lingering concerns and worries. There may be something the interviewer heard that either came off the wrong way or was misunderstood. Before walking away and leaving the decision entirely in their hands, get them to let it all out while you still have a chance to defend yourself and your chances.

Remind Yourself It’s a Two-Way Street

As stated earlier, an interview is simply an exploration of a potential partnership. It is not a scripted list of questions where one person asks and one person responds. It’s a two-way street, not a one-way street. So ask questions and make it interactive. Being able to ask the right questions at the right times will add depth to the conversation and will increase your chances of having a successful interview.

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Climb the Ladder

The One Critical Mistake Even Executives Make in Job Interviews

Scouted was a hiring marketplace that matched candidates to roles based on potential, serving clients from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies.

5 min read • Originally published March 15, 2018 / Updated March 19, 2026

Scouted was a hiring marketplace that matched candidates to roles based on potential, serving clients from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies.

5 min read • Originally published March 15, 2018 / Updated March 19, 2026

This guest post comes to us from Argentus Supply Chain Recruiting, a boutique recruitment firm specializing in Supply Chain Management and Procurement.

Most of us at Argentus have been recruiting for at least a decade, so we’ve seen it all in terms of things people have done (and not done) in job interviews.

We’ve seen mundane, yet deadly faux pas, like the candidate who told us they were happy with a job location, only to tell the client they weren’t. We’ve seen the truly bizarre, like the candidate who felt comfortable putting their feet up on the client’s desk, or the candidate who squealed their tires and peeled out of the client’s parking lot after they kept him waiting. We’ve seen everything in between.

We’ve learned a lot over the years, but one thing is maybe more indelibly true than anything else: There really are a thousand ways to sink a job interview.

The Choreography of the Interview

A job interview is a tricky kind of social parlor game with major life implications. It can seem like a highly-choreographed dance of etiquette and enthusiasm that can bring you to the next progressive stage of your life, or can leave you walking to your car in a daze of confusion of embarrassment.

The internet is full of guides for all kinds of job interviews. A few years back, we even published a 9-part series detailing our years of accumulated interview advice. Everyone has heard the common, sometimes contradictory tips (dress one level of formality above the job you want, make eye contact, have a firm handshake, avoid fidgeting), so much that they’re clichés in a working culture that’s becoming less formal.

The One Thing You Are Forgetting

From our perspective, when you put all the choreography aside, there’s one thing a candidate needs to do in a job interview that’s so fundamental, many people forget to even consider it, and as a result, forget to even do it. It’s something that people assume they’re doing, even if they’re not.

It doesn’t matter if it’s an entry-level position or a Senior VP, we hear about candidates who fail to do this one thing that’s the most important task in a job interview, something more important even than showing your competence or coming across as someone people would want to work with:

So many candidates fail to communicate their interest and enthusiasm for the job.

Everyone thinks that their presence in an interview shows their enthusiasm, but we’ve had feedback from so many clients over the years who end up feeling “meh” about an otherwise-qualified candidate because the candidate came across as “meh” about the opportunity.

You might think that you’ve conveyed enthusiasm by dressing up, showing up, asking questions, but you can’t take that for granted. This is particularly common if you have an introverted personality type: what might seem to you like polite enthusiasm might come across as disinterest to the person doing the interview.

It seems so obvious it’s scarcely worth stating, but it’s worth putting explicitly: hiring managers want to hire people who seem like they actually want the job. Hiring is a two way street, and a human interaction. As much as a hiring or HR manager evaluates a candidate, the candidate is evaluating the company as well. Why would they extend an offer to someone who isn’t interested?

How to Convey Interest Without Seeming Desperate

But it’s a balance. You don’t want to go overboard and seem desperate, and here’s where the choreography and etiquette come back in. So how do you convey interest in a job, without going overboard?

Ask thoughtful questions: Make sure to ask questions, and not just about salary, benefit, perks, and other things that benefit you as the candidate. Prepare some thoughtful questions about the organization, its long-term goals and strategy, or even specific products or processes that genuinely interest you. Asking lots of relevant questions can help take an interview to a golden place, from the formality of a stilted back-and-forth to a genuine conversation.
Create an action plan: Further to that, work with the interviewer to develop an action plan for you in the role. Ask them what you, ideally, will have accomplished after 90 days, 3 years, or 5 years. This shows long-term interest.
Change your pronouns: Try to talk in terms of “we” and “I” instead of “the company” and “you.” This kind of aspirational speech implies that you already see yourself as aligned with the organization.
State it clearly: Simple and honest communication is key. Don’t be afraid to outright state your interest in the position in a professional way at the end of the interview. There’s nothing wrong with saying, “I just want to reiterate that I think this position aligns very well with my goals and values, and X Company seems like a great place to work.” Again, don’t assume that just because you showed up, the interviewer thinks you actually want the job.
Follow up: Send a brief follow-up note thanking the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. But don’t send an email or a call if the interviewer hasn’t provided you with that information – especially when you’re working with a recruiter – because that can seem like you’re invading their privacy.

Maybe after an interview, you’re not enthusiastic about the job because it doesn’t fit the working culture you’re looking for. Maybe it doesn’t have the growth opportunities you want. Maybe you don’t like the office paint color.

But if you are interested in the job? Take pains to show it, or you could miss out on the opportunity.

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Candidates, Climb the Ladder

Interview Tips

Interview Body Language: Expert Tips to Project Confidence and Land the Job

See how to make nonverbal cues work for you—rather than against you

4 min read • Originally published July 19, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

4 min read • Originally published July 19, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

You’ve prepped for your interview—done your research, studied up on the tricky questions the recruiter or hiring manager could ask you—but is your body language going to ruin your chances of getting the job?

The old saying is true: Actions speak louder than words. To help yourself project the most positive mannerisms—and to up your chances of going from candidate to new hire—check out this expert advice from hiring managers in the media biz on what body language to adopt in your next interview.

1. Give a Firm Handshake

Whether we want to admit it or not, says Diana Marsh, EVP at marketing and tech firm The A Group, first impressions are huge in an interview. And for Marsh, it all starts with the handshake.

“If you have a weak handshake and don’t look me in the eye, I have a hard time not writing you off from the beginning,” says Marsh.

To start off on the right foot, Marsh says your handshake should be firm, and should stay consistent whether you’re shaking the hand of a man or a woman.

2. Don’t Overthink the Eye Contact

During your interview, you might have found yourself silently thinking am I staring into their eyes too much? Is this an abnormal amount of eye contact? Should I look away?

Sherrilynne Starkie, EVP of integrated communications agency Thornley Fallis Communications, says there’s no such thing as too much eye contact. So rather than worrying if you’re staring too long, or not enough, Starkie says to just relax, and not to be self-conscious about your eye contact.

“I think overall you just want to be natural,” says Marissa Grey, creative talent director at Critical Mass. “The most important thing is not to answer a question while looking away.”

3. Sit Up Straight

Mom was right about this one: Slouching is bad for your health, but it can also make you look lazy or sloppy in an interview, two traits interviewers try to avoid in employees at all costs.

“However, canny interviewers will not judge a person on his or her posture alone, but in the context of the whole interview,” says Starkie, “That said, it never hurts to sit up straight.”

4. But Don’t Be Too Rigid

Just as poor posture in an interview can work against you, so can being on the opposite side of the spectrum: Appearing too rigid.

“Concentrating on keeping straight might make it difficult to listen to questions so that you answer them fully and naturally,” says Starkie. Her advice? “Be yourself. Your best self.”

5. Lean Forward

For Marsh, the ideal way to sit at an interview is leaning in. “During the interview, leaning in shows that you are engaged in the conversation and what I am saying is important to you,” she says.

On the converse, leaning back can project the image that you are too comfortable, not interested or overconfident. “Last person I want to hire is someone that is not engaged from the beginning of the interview,” says Marsh.

6. Keep Your Body Open

It’s common wisdom—but no less true—that crossing your arms in an interview is a surefire way to send a “closed off” vibe to the interviewer, says Grey.

“The point of an interview is to have an open flow of communication,” says Grey, “your body language should reflect this.” So rather than opting for the crossed arms, check out our next tip to see the best alternative.

7. Fold Your Hands

Google “what to do with my hands during an interview” and you could get a little overwhelmed with all the contrasting advice.

“Keep your hands neatly folded on your lap,” Grey suggests. This will help you avoid talking too much with your hands, or worse, fidgeting.

8. Relax Your Voice

Our nerves can get the best of us in an interview, making our voice feel jumpy or high pitched. First of all, it’s important you don’t worry too much about this. “Most of us have been there ourselves and totally understand job interview nerves,” says Starkie.

To wrangle your nerves, Starkie recommends breathing slowly and deeply when the interviewer is talking to help you relax. And if you’re offered a glass of water, Starkie says to take it as sipping a drink can help calm yourself.

9. Nod Throughout

When the interviewer is talking to you, don’t just sit there staring back motionless. Rather, nod your head along with what they’re saying.

“Nodding your head is an indication that you are listening to what I am saying—you are following me,” says Marsh. “It’s very important as I want someone who is interested in the job and is truly listening to what I have to say about the position and the company.”

10. Make a Strong Exit

So you crushed the interview, and now all you have to do is book it to the door and enjoy the day. But wait! How you leave the interview is just as important as the rest of your time there.

“Shake the interviewer’s hand—make sure it’s a strong handshake!—and let them know you enjoyed meeting with him/her,” says Grey.

Then you can confidently make your way towards the exit knowing you concluded the interview just as strong as you began it.

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