In the midst of a job interview, you realize that the interviewer talks at length, leaving little room for your own questions and input. This can be frustrating, especially if you have important inquiries that need to be addressed. However, there are ways to politely redirect the conversation and regain control. Depending on the purpose of the interview, you can diplomatically express your desire to move on to the next topic, ensuring that you don’t cut off the interviewer mid-sentence. By finding the right moment to interject, you can steer the conversation back to your qualifications and what you can bring to the role. Although some interviewers may be incorrigible ramblers, employing well-timed redirections can help you reclaim some control.
Can You Politely Redirect an Interviewer Who Talks Too Much?
Purpose of the interview
When participating in an interview, it is important to understand the purpose of the meeting. If the interview is primarily framed as an opportunity for you to get your own questions answered, there are ways to politely redirect the interviewer if they talk too much. In this case, it is acceptable to express your desire to cover all of your questions and ask if you can move on to the next one. However, if the interview is framed as a standard interview where the interviewer would be interviewing you, it is important to prioritize moving the conversation back to an actual interview.
Framed as primarily for you to get your own questions answered
If the interview is presented as an opportunity for you to ask questions and gather information, it is appropriate to politely redirect the interviewer if they consistently talk too much. When you have a lot of questions to ask and limited time, it is essential to have your queries answered in a succinct manner. To address this issue, you can say something like, “I want to be mindful of our time, and I have a bunch of other questions I was curious about — would you mind if I jumped to the next one?” By expressing your desire to cover all of your questions, you are politely requesting a more concise response.
Framed as a standard interview where she would be interviewing you
In some cases, the interview may be framed as a standard interview where the interviewer would be evaluating your suitability for the role. In such situations, it is crucial to ensure that the interviewer has enough time to ask their questions as well. If the interviewer’s rambling is preventing them from properly conducting the interview, it could put you at a disadvantage compared to other candidates. To address this issue, it is important to prioritize moving the conversation back to an actual interview so that you can discuss your qualifications and what you can bring to the role.
Prioritizing moving the conversation back to an actual interview
If you find yourself in a situation where the conversation has veered off-track due to excessive rambling from the interviewer, it is essential to redirect the conversation back to the interview. By politely reminding the interviewer of the purpose of the meeting, you can refocus the discussion on your qualifications and what you can bring to the role. For example, you can say, “Well, I know you have a lot of questions for me and I don’t want to take up all your time on my questions. Can we shift the focus back to my qualifications and how I can contribute to the projects you’ve described?” By steering the conversation back to your skills and expertise, you can ensure that the interview remains focused and productive.
Well-timed redirection
Timing is crucial when redirecting an interviewer who talks too much. It is important to choose the right moment to interject and politely steer the conversation in the desired direction. One well-timed redirection can help regain control of the interview and ensure that your questions and qualifications are properly addressed. For instance, you can say, “That’s all great information, thank you. Now, I would love to share some relevant work I’ve done in the past and discuss how it aligns with the projects you’ve mentioned.” By seamlessly transitioning from the interviewer’s rambling to showcasing your own expertise, you can effectively redirect the interview back to a more balanced and productive discussion.
Dealing with incorrigible ramblers
Unfortunately, there may be instances when an interviewer is an incorrigible rambler, and your attempts to redirect the conversation are unsuccessful. In such situations, it can be challenging to regain control of the interview. However, it is important to remember that the dynamics of an interview may limit your options in the moment. Although you may not be able to redirect the interviewer effectively, you can still make note of the information you have gathered about the company and the interviewer’s communication style. This information can be useful in evaluating whether the organization is a good fit for you. If necessary, you can seek clarification on your remaining questions from someone else within the company at a later stage.
Overall, it is possible to politely redirect an interviewer who talks too much. By understanding the purpose of the interview, framing it appropriately, prioritizing the interview process, and employing well-timed redirection, you can ensure a more balanced and effective conversation. However, it is essential to navigate these situations with diplomacy and respect for the interviewer’s role.
