Making Small Talk Before And During An Interview

Small talk gets a bad rap in modern times, but knowing how to engage in pleasant small talk is an extremely valuable interview skill. While you still need to have deeper answers ready to provide value, being able to excel with small talk builds a rapport with your interviewer and helps you stand out.

Standing out in an interview can be tough, but making an impression with small talk and finding a connection is a great way to stay relevant. Remember, an interviewer is investigating your personality to see if you’re a good cultural fit. Learn how to make a last impression by following these small talk strategies!

“Interviews are also pretty anxiety-inducing, so starting off with a little small talk beforehand is in everyone’s best interest.”-Maddie Lloyd, Zippia

Avoid cliches

Part of the reason small talk is often viewed with disdain is that boring topics often get repeated. Small talk doesn’t have to be deep, but it needs to have at least a bit of substance. Recall that you’re trying to stand out. Saying “Boy, how about the fact that weather exists?” isn’t going to help your case.

“I can’t imagine many hiring managers vouching for a candidate by saying, “Hey, how about the guy that complained about how rainy it’s been? I thought he was great!” –Kat Boogaard

Instead, LinkedIn’s Caroline Ceniza-Levine says to focus on topics like any hobbies you might have, any books you’re reading (a great way to show you’re into personal development), or discussing industry news. These topics are light, playful and show some insight into who you are beyond your resume.

Avoid inappropriate topics

You want to stand out in these windows of small talk, but you want to stand out for a good reason. While it’s good to be casual with your small talk, make sure you aren’t too casual or inappropriate with your chosen topics.

Top Interview’s Felicia Tatum lists the classics like religion, politics, and overly personal questions as things to avoid—even if you’ve researched the interviewer and know their stances. Also avoid being flirty, mentioning money, family topics, or bad-mouthing anyone.

Find a common interest

Your goal with small talk is to find common ground to build a solid foundation with your interviewer and stand out when it comes time to choose a candidate. One of the best ways to start is by researching your interviewer and looking for any common ground on their socials.

You don’t need to be digging through someone’s trash looking for deep clues. A simple quick search may provide you with some safe, surface-level interests. Even looking around their office can provide some easy clues.

The Muse’s Kat Boogaard lists someone running a marathon as an example. If you find evidence they’ve partaken in one, you might casually mention you’re a runner and had a nice run earlier in the day. You don’t need to awkwardly shoehorn the common interest in, you can casually bring something up when asked “How are you?” and see if they take the bait.

“For instance, you discovered in your research that you both like cooking. You may respond, “It was great! I took a cooking class at the <insert name of school> and learned the right technique for perfecting my Japanese souffle cheesecake.” –Lea C, Career Higher

Ask questions and be a good listener

The name small talk leaves out one of its most important aspects—listening! If you’re seeking common ground, you can’t just talk someone’s ear off. You need to ask questions and carefully listen to the responses.

Small talk can be awkward, but asking a question to fill the silence is a great way to both get new information and keep the conversation flowing. Kat Boogaard says that not only will this take the spotlight off of you but it will give the interviewer, who is likely asking you a lot of questions, a bit of a breather.

Forbes’ Jack Kelly says to practice active listening during these exchanges. Nod your head and react to what they say, use their name often, and let them be your center of attention. Keep your questions open-ended to allow the dialogue to flow.

Be enthusiastic

Above all else, be authentic in your conversation attempts. Making a connection isn’t only valuable to the organization, but to you as well. If all goes well, this will be someone you’ll work with often in the future. Make sure you enjoy the environment and interacting with this person.

It’s generally easy to tell when someone is forcing conversation or if they aren’t interested in what you’re talking about. That’s why practicing active listening is so important. Even if you find the process daunting, with practice and a little extra effort, you’ll find yourself communicating with enthusiasm.

Wrap up

Small talk can be intimidating, especially when you don’t know the person. But learning how to engage with an interviewer and create a connection will be dividends in the long run. Stay relaxed and follow our strategies and you’ll create a natural conversation!

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How To Answer “Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?”

Chances are, you’re not a fortune teller. And if you were, you probably wouldn’t be here seeking career advice. So what’s a job seeker to say when an interviewer asks, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

This common interview question isn’t meant to be answered with a full, detailed life plan. And if there’s anything we’ve learned from the pandemic years, it’s that anything can happen in life. Instead, it’s vital for the aspiring job seeker to understand just what is being asked and answer in a way that aligns your goals with the value you can bring to the role. We can’t determine the future, but we can guide you toward a successful answer!

What is being asked?

You don’t need to be a Type A person with a full outline of your future to nail this question. What an interviewer is really looking for is an assessment of your overall goals and level of motivation.

Career coach Tara Goodfellow says an interviewer wants to know that those goals and motivations align with the role and the organization. Top Resume’s M.A. Smith adds that asking this kind of question gives an interviewer insight into your thought process and how this role will fit into your overall plan. Recall that an interviewer is looking for the value you can bring to a role. Keep that in mind as you craft your answer.

“They also want to know what kind of person you are and will become. What’s most important to you: being proud of the work you do? Becoming a great team member? Learning how to be an awesome manager?” –Eloise Eonnet, career coach

How to answer

Connect it to your career goals

With a better understanding of just what is being asked, make sure that your answer conveys the value you’d bring to the role.

You’ll first need a clear understanding of what your goals are. Indeed says to think about the types of accomplishments you’d like to see on your resume in five years. Are you looking to gain the experience needed to obtain a senior role? Are you trying to get a start in an appealing industry? Find ways to connect this role to those goals.

“You don’t want to say, “I see myself in the same position doing the same work five years from now.” –Biron Clark, Career Sidekick

Consider the skills you have and the skills needed to succeed in your career path, and use specific skills from the job description if possible, according to Glassdoor. Expressing a desire to utilize and grow those skills clearly demonstrates value to an organization.

Express sincere interest in the role

Ambition doesn’t always pay the bills. Sometimes, you’ll need to take a job that might not be your dream job. That’s okay, but you need to find a way to make this role fit your ambitions without sounding uninterested.

Career Sherpa Hannah Morgan says you don’t need to make up something you think the interviewer would want to hear; that’s a good way to NOT get the job. Instead, find a way to connect the role to your goal without saying you don’t want to be there long. As mentioned above, focus on the skills you could gain and how this role could get you to your dream job—without implying that may be with another organization.

Be open ended

Remember that this is not a legally-binding life plan. Adaptability is one of the key skills employers seek, and too rigid of a plan can be unappealing.

Hiring managers want to see ambitious but realistic goals according to LinkedIn. You don’t need an exact title or role in mind as long as you can adequately show that you understand the work and skills involved to achieve your dream.

Avoid humor

Don’t do what I did and open with a joke about seeing the future. Everyone knows the future is malleable and that twists in the road happen. Potential employers are looking for sincere answers so they can gauge whether you’re a good fit. Using humor may make you seem insincere or it can look like you haven’t put thought into the answer. Cliche answers like “I’ll be coming for your job!” are equally unappealing.

“Interviewers want to hear that you have thought about your long-term goals in relation to their company. Responding with a joke indicates that you may not be committed to this opportunity” –MasterClass

How NOT to answer

Other topics to avoid include talking about other industries, your personal goals outside of work, the desire to open your own business or go freelance, saying you expect to be CEO in five years, calling the role a stepping stone, or saying you haven’t considered a five-year plan. These types of answers show a lack of focus and preparation or will make the interviewer think you aren’t interested in the company long term. It’s expensive and time-consuming to bring in a new worker. The company wants to know they’re getting the right person for the job.

Wrap up

Hopefully, we’ve demystified this common question a bit and provided clarity as to what an interviewer is actually looking for. You don’t need a total picture of what your life will be in five years, but having an idea of what you’d like to accomplish and how this role can help you get there goes a long way. Be sure to express the value you can bring to the company and avoid any indication your goals will take you away from that company and you might find a great new job in your future!

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How To Use The STAR Method For Interview Questions

Interviewers are looking for specific examples when they ask about your work history. Don’t be caught off-guard and meander. Instead, be prepared to answer with the STAR method!

The STAR method is a helpful tool for framing your accomplishments for behavioral and situational interview questions. By thinking in terms of situation, task, action, and result, you can quickly and efficiently express your achievements and impress your interviewers. Be ready to shine by embracing the STAR framework and be prepared to excel in your next interview!

“These questions are easy to spot as they focus on actions that you have or have not taken and often start with phrases like: “Give me an example of a time…”; “Describe a moment when…”; “What do you do…”; “Tell me about a moment when you…”” –ResumeHelp

Situation

You’ll start with the situation, or the broadest stroke of what happened. This is where you set the scene and clearly establish the problem that needed solving. Think of the situation as the overall plot or the “fade in” moment—the big picture.

“Be brief in your setup. Give just enough background or contextual information for your story to make sense.” –Duke Career Center

While context is important, don’t go overboard with the details. A STAR example should quickly get to the point and show what you accomplished. The situation can clearly be as simple as “I had a customer who was upset,” according to Chris Drew of Helpful Professor.

Task

Next, you’ll need to show what your task was. What is the specific challenge you, the protagonist of the story, need to address? If the situation was the overall plot, the task is the surrounding details. In the above “upset customer” example, the task would be that you needed to appease the customer and would include any barriers that prevent you from accomplishing that goal.

Zety’s Roma Kończak uses the example of someone needing to lead a project after the original manager was unable to. The task then is that the worker needed to take over the project with no extra time given because of the circumstance. This shows where you come in, what you needed to do, and what obstacles were in your path.

Action

With the plot of our tale set, we move into the action step. What did we actually do to resolve the situation and the task at hand? This is the part where you really get to shine and leave your mark.

Here, you’ll explain what you did and what your thought process was, according to Forbes’ Lidija Globokar writes. Just like how teachers in school wanted you to show your work, you’ll show your work here. Simply lucking into the solution isn’t particularly impressive.

In the “upset customer” scenario, the worker apologized to the customer for a delay while offering an alternative. They acknowledged the customer’s frustration, and, while they couldn’t go back in time and prevent that delay from happening (which would make for an interesting story), they offered a different sort of deal to make up for the issue. This action clearly shows how the worker processed the situation and then took action to resolve it.

Result

Finally, what were the outcomes of your action? The result is the finale, and it’s where you can stick the landing and impress your interviewer.

“Don’t end your story with a cliffhanger! Share the results of your actions – what was the outcome?” –Lidija Globokar

At the end of the “upset customer” example, the worker’s acknowledgment of the customer’s issue and finding an alternative option did enough to leave the customer pleased and satisfied. Instead of losing a customer, the day was saved. This climax shows your interviewer how you processed the problem, found an appropriate solution, and reached a successful conclusion. Because you used a specific example, they’ll know that you can achieve similar feats with their organization.

“Be sure to quantify your results if possible.” –Sam Maiyaki, Linkedin

The results part of the framework provides you time to provide any lessons you learned along the way. Generally, you’ll probably use a story where you found success at the end since you want to impress. But we can learn a lot from our mistakes and failures, and they provide good opportunities for growth.

Wrap up

That’s how simple using the STAR method can be! The “upset customer” example told a full story, including ending with tangible results, in just a few moments. While we jazzed up the language for fun, a STAR story doesn’t need to be a cinematic experience. It merely provides a detailed and organized way for you to take your work accomplishments and frame them in a way that best expresses the value you can bring to an organization. Practice telling your stories within this framework so you’ll be comfortable regaling your interviewer, and soon you’ll feel like a STAR!

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Surviving Panel Interviews

While in the past it was common to simply interview with a hiring manager and maybe a department head, in today’s climate, there’s a good chance you might interview with an entire panel of interviewers. Companies want a good cultural fit as much as someone with unique skills and experiences, so you may meet with a full host of people before the process is over.

The rise of programs like Zoom makes panel interviews even more common since multiple people can easily jump on a call. What’s a job seeker like you to do with so many people to impress? Be prepared for anything by following these steps for success!

Tweak your elevator pitch

You’re doing to have to introduce yourself multiple times throughout the interview process. Many of these people will have different roles throughout the company. You’ll want to be prepared to introduce yourself in different ways to better express your value.

The elevator pitch is one of the job seeker’s best tools: a quick summary of who you are, what you can do, and the value you offer. But you can’t make the exact same pitch to each person—you’ll sound like a commercial. Instead, Forbes’ Jack Kelly says to tweak your pitch for a variety of purposes.

For example, someone in HR might be looking for a good cultural fit. A direct superior may be more concerned with your technical knowledge, and a potential peer might simply want to see if you sound like someone they’ll like working with. Be prepared with a deep self-scout and find ways to quickly express your value to everyone involved.

Do extra research

You should also do research before your interview to come across as prepared, excited, and competent. But if you know you’ll be interviewing with multiple people, you need to go above and beyond. Each person is coming from a different area of expertise and will ask different questions.

Coursera says to ask the company important questions when setting up the interview, including asking who will be involved, what their roles are, and how the interview will be structured. This gives you a better starting point for beginning your research.

Annie Rosencrans of HiBob says that knowing everyone’s role and potential concerns will make it easy to direct your later questions and form a deeper connection with each interviewer.

Embrace active listening

A normal interview can be intimidating as is. Throwing more people into the mix can make things feel overwhelming. It can be nerve-wracking trying to keep up, but if you can remember to practice active listening skills, you’ll be golden.

“As you enter the interview room, keep a broad smile, make eye contact with all the interviewers, greet them by their names, and ask for permission to sit.” –Hiration

Brett Helling says the easiest way to stay engaged and in control is with eye contact. Start by making eye contact with the person asking you questions, but branch out with your response to make individual eye contact with everyone. Take time to make the right physical responses and you’ll be in great shape in looking sharp and engaged.

“One of the simplest ways to improve your chances of a successful panel interview is by using eye contact. Looking someone directly in the eyes will show that you’re confident.” –Brett Hilling

Find ways to connect

Practicing good body language is a great start, but you want to connect with each panel member as much as possible. This can be difficult; you’ll have less time with each individual. But it’s not undoable. You just have to maximize each opportunity.

Start by learning each panel member’s name (much easier if you researched them beforehand!). Then try to incorporate their name when you speak to that person. That small act builds a connection each time the name is repeated. Knowing each person’s name and role will make it easier to ask questions to the appropriate individual, and you can even take the opportunity to ask questions of someone who may not have asked you many.

“It can be difficult to differentiate yourself as a candidate early in your career. Asking targeted questions shows you pay attention to details and sets you apart from other candidates.” –Annie Rosencrans

Indeed says to keep things conversational and to engage with each interviewer equally. The final decision will be a group one, and you don’t want someone to be unexcited about you since you didn’t engage with them enough.

Bring extra resumes!

You might not always know you’re about to enter a panel interview, but it’s a good idea to assume it’s a possibility. Bring extra materials like printed copies of your resume or business cards just to be safe.

Wrap up

A panel interview is a great opportunity for multiple relevant members of a company to see your potential and see how you respond in a rapid-fire environment. If you enter the interview having done your research and take the most of every opportunity to connect, you’ll stand a good chance of winning over everyone. Don’t be afraid to listen carefully, take a pause before answering questions, and ask questions if needed!

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How To Answer “What Is Your Greatest Strength?”

When participating in a job interview, there’s a good chance you’ll come across many of the same common interview questions. With so much practice, it’s easy for job seekers to answer the standard questions like “What is your greatest strength?”

“Instead of thinking up interesting, thought-provoking questions, they resort to prosaic questions, like “What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?” The good news for job hunters is that these questions are relatively easy to answer.” –Jack Kelly, Forbes

Companies want to learn the type of value you’ll bring to the organization, so it makes sense they’d want to know your best qualities. Don’t just point out generic traits like timeliness or irrelevant ones like how high you can jump. Break through to the heart of the question and dive at your greatest, most relevant strengths by considering these points.

Be prepared

You don’t want to be on the spot listing things you think you might be good at aimlessly. Because this is such a frequently asked question, you’ll want to take the time to actually know your strengths and practice answering the question.

Job Hunt’s Susan P. Joyce says to start by asking yourself the question along with asking people you trust the same question. Self-scouting is always a great way to come up with a list of prepared answers, but asking others is a great way to find things you may have missed.

Once you have a list of your best strengths in mind, you can practice your answer using the following points to build confident and impressive answers. Consider doing a mock interview or working with a mentor to practice.

“Outline your speaking points in advance and practice them until you’re comfortable with your response. Having an idea of what you’re going to say before your interview will help your answer sound polished and natural.” -Jamie Birt, Indeed

Focus on the job description

Not every strength will be the absolute best option for every job opportunity. Even when you’re looking for a specific title, different companies will have different needs, and you might need to pull the right tool from your utility belt.

Make sure to do a deep review of the job description. You’ll get a good idea of what the company really needs right away, according to Joel Schwartzberg. With their biggest needs being directly identified, you can tailor your answer easily. Just like we’ve said to utilize keywords in your resume, be sure to circle back to these keywords when answering the question.

“There’s no need to guess what superstar qualities they’re looking for — it’s all there in black and white. Look for the attributes listed under the “preferred qualifications” or “required skills” section of the job description.” –Joel Schwartzberg

Think in terms of skills

You’re probably good at a lot of things, but not all of them are what a company is looking for when they ask this question. Simply always being on time or knowing how to talk to people isn’t quite enough. Using the job description as a starting point, think of what specific skills are needed in this role, and how can you use them.

Soft skills are important in every role, so think of your strengths in terms of tangible skills. The Muse’s Lily Zhang says to really consider what skills you’ll need to excel in this role and to frame your strengths in this way. If you’ll be interacting with clients or customers, discussing your communication skills is wise, while if you’re going to be in a fast-paced environment, you might discuss your ability to multitask and prioritize.

Being able to frame your strengths in a specific and tangible manner will be more effective than simply saying what you think you’re good at.

Use examples

Of course, you can’t just expect hiring managers to take your word at face value. I could say “I am the finest writer in all of human history,” but no one would believe it without proof. That’s why you want to support your strengths by showing your potential employer how you’ve used them in the past.

Forbes’ Jack Kelly says to once again find the best use for your skills at that organization and show how you’ve utilized them in the past. If you’re a creative type, you might show off a portfolio. You can show how you exceeded monthly sales quotas. If you’ve saved the company money, you can show your interviewer how you did so.

“As mentioned, you have to be focused and specific while answering the question. You should play with facts and figures while answering this question. If you do so, the answer will appear more genuine and hence more impressive.” –Rakesh Ghumatkar, LinkedIn

The more specific you can be, the easier it is for the interviewer to see you’ve put your strengths into action in the past and can use them to add value to the organization.

Wrap up

By doing some preparations before the interview, you can be ready to tackle this common interview question. Have a good understanding of your skills, know how to relate them to the job at hand, use specific examples, and express confidence and you’ll successfully convey that your strengths will bring value to the organization.

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