CareerMysteries

Just a pretty fall picture to start out this lovely autumn day. Let’s talk about listening skills and how important it is to use responsive listening during the interview process. Many times I will be in the midst of interviewing a job candidate and as I am asking questions, I notice that the applicant is not responding to the question I am asking, but rather, to a question that they think I am asking because they stopped listening part of the way through.

Some people do get very nervous in the interview setting and I try to give them time to settle down by asking a few simple questions to start. As the process moves forward, I am really concerned about an applicant who is not answering my questions.

Listening involves concentrating on the other person, keeping quiet as they elicit information and then your response. If you don’t understand what they are asking, rephrase the question in different words and ask if that is what they are asking you. Then they can clarify and allow you an opportunity to respond.

Interviewer says, “So you have worked in a manufacturing plant before and know how to run the Digotonic Machine. Is that right?”

“Are you asking if I worked in a factory on a Digographic Machine? Yes, I have run this machine for the last ten years at Burrus Company.”

Sometimes the interviewer, who is less familiar with the work than the worker, may ask a question incorrectly. It is fine to correct them and state the correct names.