Job Interview Tips to Control Short Pauses and Silences

During an interview, there may be times of short pauses. There may even be short periods of flat out silence. These pauses may be initiated by either the interviewer(s) or you. It may seem like these pauses and even silence, could be interview killers. However, short pauses or even silences may not be interview killers.

Control your nerves. A large part of communication is non-verbal (i.e. body language). While there is some nervousness during a job interview, it is important to control it. Nervousness may cause you to shake your leg, fidget in your chair, or even perspire. If the interview is moving right along then the interviewer(s) may have less time to notice these smaller non-verbals. However, during short pauses or even silences the focus can be on you. This focus may make small non-verbal communication even more noticeable.

Silence may be caused by you requesting a moment to answer a question. Asking for a moment, will put the focus on you because the interviewer(s) will need to wait for you. In this situation, a short silence is normal. To make sure that it is stays positive, remember to not act nervous, keep the silence short, and make sure to use this time to cultivate a very good answer.

During a job interview, short pauses and/or silences may be caused by the interviewer(s) taking notes. These short pauses and/or silences may increase your nervousness, especially if you are already a nervous person. Short pauses and/or silences, caused by the interviewer(s) taking notes, are not always a bad thing. If the interviewer(s) did not like your answer then they would not be writing it down. The interviewer(s) would only need short notes to remind them that you answered inadequately. It is not necessary to fill these short pauses and/or silences. You should just let the interviewer(s) time to take their notes and wait patiently. Not only does this allow them to record your answer, it shows respect for their jobs.

During a job interviewer, short pauses and/or silences may happen after you answer a question. This may be due to the interviewer(s) taking notes; however, if the interviewer is not taking notes then the may be expecting or waiting for further information. The interviewer(s) may be waiting for you to elaborate on your answer. You must be careful in these situations. If you try to short circuit the silence and just keep talking then you may fall into rambling. Another option is to just ask. You can ask the interviewer(s), "Would you like me to elaborate on that?" The interviewer(s) may just say "Yes" or they may explain the part that needs elaborated on.

During a job interview, do not expect feedback from the interviewer(s). You may go into the job interview excited about your prospects. You have researched the company, spoke with your personal connections for advice, researched potential job interview questions, rehearsed your answers, and polished your resume to a tee; however, when the interviewer(s) do not praise your answers then you enthusiasm ebbs. The interviewer(s) are trained not to give feedback.

The interviewer(s) do not want to show any indication of favoritism. If they praise you as being a wonderful candidate and have other interviews then they run the risk of someone saying the job search was not impartial. The interviewer(s) will endeavor to show no partiality. Do not let the interviewer(s) lack of feedback, lower your enthusiasm. Just keep a smile on your face and provide the answers you rehearsed.

During a job interview, short pauses and silences are normal. They may be caused by the interviewer(s) taking notes, waiting on you to elaborate on your answer, or because you requested more time to answer a question. Ensuring that these short pauses and/or silences stay positive; ensure that you show no non-verbal signs of nervousness (i.e. shaking your leg or tapping on the table), ask if the interviewer(s) would like you to elaborate on your answer, or wait patiently while the interviewer(s) take notes. During a job interview, these steps will help to ensure short pauses and/or silences do not become negative things.