The art of avoiding the waffle
By Ray Baptiste
I love talking about myself and I also have a bit of a ‘sweet tooth’ and if I was on a day out with the girls the two go hand in hand. However, waffle should be avoided when you are putting yourself through an interview process for your next career move.
Now, if you are wondering what a delicious dessert has to do with an interview process, well, that kind of ‘waffle’ doesn’t. I’m talking about the type of waffle that is otherwise known as, ‘talking too much about irrelevant information’. It is often also attributed to nervousness as I am sure some of you readers can relate to.
The question “Tell me about yourself” can lead some candidates to talk about their family, what they did last summer, how many pets they have, their dreams for the future, and so on. Now, there’s nothing wrong with showing your personality as well as your interests, after all, a potential employer also wants to see if you are the right cultural fit for their company. However, at this point what they want to know is how your past work experiences apply to the role you are interviewing for. If you fall into the trap of ‘waffling’ on about your family, dreams, and desires it is more than likely that you have already blown your chances at getting the job.
Then there are the more experienced candidates who think they understand the question because they know it needs to be relevant to the role they are applying for. Unfortunately, though they go off on a tangent with over-sharing and rambling stories of their experience, which dilutes the effectiveness of their answer. I guess you could say it’s a bit like ordering the waffle and then going overboard on the toppings - it becomes too much very quickly!
So how can you avoid this mistake?
First of all, it is really important that you don’t answer the question right away. Instead, respond with a clarifying question, something like;
“I have a wide range of experience, and given you have very specific requirements, what are your top 3-5 priorities for this role? I can then make sure that my responses address those priorities”.
Not only is this approach highly effective but it really helps if you are one of those that can tend to ‘waffle’ because it allows you to take control of the interview. This shift in the power dynamic makes the conversation flow more naturally and helps to steer the discussion into an area where you feel more confident. It allows you to take control, highlight your strengths and relevant skills, and it enables you to identify clearly how these align with the company values and main priorities, as well as your own.
By asking targeted questions and listening carefully to the challenges the interviewer replies with you can gain a deeper insight into what your potential employer values most in a candidate and the role they are interviewing for.
This simple but effective technique enables you to tailor your answers to showcase your skills and years of experience by highlighting how they connect to the employer's challenges and main objectives.
This demonstrates your value to the company, making your qualifications stand out. For example, if the company is looking for a candidate with strong leadership skills you can steer the conversation toward your experience managing teams or projects. This enforces that you are not just perfectly qualified but also the perfect fit.
Keep the waffle for dessert - it won’t help you get that job!
Ray Baptiste - With over 30 years of recruitment experience, I’ve helped thousands of mid-career professionals and those over 50 find jobs that match their skills and passions. Whether you're just starting your search or fine-tuning your interview technique, I can provide the guidance you need to succeed.
If you're ready to take control of your job search and land your next role with confidence, I’m here to help. Contact me at ray@aionion.co.uk, or book a coaching session to start your journey toward your ideal career.
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