“How did my candidate do in the interview?” I asked.

“I think his experience may be good,” replied the hiring manager. “But I couldn’t tell if he’s really what we need in this role. He kept going off on a tangent, and I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. So we’re going to need to see more resumes.”

Many job seekers make the mistake of trying to take control of the job interview. They assume they know what the interviewer wants to know, so they plow ahead and tell the interviewer why they should hire them. But in doing this, most candidates pull the interview in a direction the interviewer did not intend to go.

The main thing an interviewer is trying to determine is fit. They simply want to know if you have the skills and ability they are looking for.

So let them ask questions. And answer directly.

Don’t assume you know what they need. Let the interviewer lead the interview. Listen carefully to every question you are asked, and give straight answers. If your answer goes off topic, the interviewer will not be impressed.

Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments.