7 Times To Be Silent During An Interview

Silence can be unsettling, awkward, uncomfortable. 

But when you learn to harness silence it can be a great and powerful strategy within the interviewing process. 

Brief moments of silence can give you the time to reflect and formulate a response. It can allow you a moment to remember your achievements and regain confidence. 

But also think of the last time someone gave you the cold shoulder or remained silent. Did it bother you? Did you obsess over what they were thinking, over whether or not you did something wrong? In these scenarios, the power is in the hands of the silent one. 

Silence can also be attributed to wisdom and maturity. While rambling on and on is often associated with child-like behavior. People who carefully choose their words and are more reserved are highly respected in many countries. 

This same principle of silence applies throughout the interviewing process. Of course with only 12-15 applicants granted a phone screen from 525 applications it’s important to demonstrate your ability to communicate during a phone interview. 

If you are among the 4-5 candidates that receive a video or panel interview the stakes are even higher. 

Every step you move through this interview funnel the odds get better, your chances improve, but the mistakes become more costly. Sometimes taking a moment to think, can aid in avoiding these costly mistakes.

Success during the entire hiring process can be boiled down to clear, concise, and effective communication. 

Communication is not just about the words you say; it includes the moment you remain silent, to listen, reflect and respond. 

Here are 7 situations to leverage silence during an industry interview.  

1. When imposter syndrome sets in 

All PhDs face imposter syndrome at some point, and it’s rarely, if ever, helpful. Imposter syndrome is the inner critic, telling you, you aren’t good enough or you aren’t capable. If you have a PhD, you are an expert in your field and are capable of learning just about anything. Don’t allow imposter syndrome to talk you out of an opportunity. 

Silence your imposter syndrome. 

2. Right before the interview 

Once you get an interview scheduled there can be lost to do, prepping the room, selecting your professional attire, practicing your elevator speech. It can easily become stressful and overwhelming, anxiety can build up and you will not perform well.

Make sure you schedule in a silent moment with yourself. Take a few deep breaths, gather your thoughts and congratulate yourself for getting this far. Taking a few breaths right before a stressful situation can do wonders for relieving stress and centering your mind. 

3. During introductions

Most interviewers will make their decisions within the first few minutes of talking with you. The first 5-7 minutes of the interview is the most critical. 

One of the easiest ways to be immediately discarded as a candidate is to forget someone’s name. 

During introductions you must listen and engage. Write down everyone’s name (especially if it’s a large panel interview). 

Remember in a panel interview all participants might have a say in who is hired, forgetting one person’s name could be the reason you don’t get hired into the position. 

4. When someone else is talking

This one may seem obvious, but it's a mistake made too often to not be said. Perhaps the most important time to be silent during an interview is when someone else is talking. You should never interrupt the hiring manager, interviewer or any panel participant while they are speaking. This is a sure way to get someone to feel uncomfortable and belittled. 

5. If you forget what you were saying

Communication should always be clear and concise. It is easy to lose your train of thought and to start rambling in hopes somehow it’ll come back. This looks sloppy, and it’s often obvious when someone has forgotten what they are saying or are trying to buy time. 

If you’re in this situation, don't’ continue to ramble. Say one concluding sentence and end it. 

6. Right after a question is asked

This one can be a little tricky, waiting too long can make you seem unprepared or incompetent but blurting out the first thing that comes to mind may not be the best thing either. Practicing common interview questions before the interview can help you better prepare and think quicker at an interview. 

When you are asked a question it's important to answer it completely, truthfully and strategically. 

To do so requires a moment of reflection and a complete understanding of the question. Too often, people try to answer a question before the person is done asking it. Listen to the entirety of the question. Then think of an event in your life that embodies that question. 

Organize a response using the STAR method. STAR stands for situation, task, action, result. Meaning you should tell a story in which you provide some context, describe the problem, highlight your actions that had a positive result-oriented outcome. 

This is a lot of steps to formulate very quickly. So it’s crucial to take a moment of silence after you are asked a question to formulate an adequate response. 

7. During salary negotiations

Once you get an offer it's time for the salary negotiations where there are many moments where silence can give you some power, here I will highlight just two. 

1. Be silent about your current salary. Let them make the first offer. 
2. When they make an offer, don’t immediately jump on it. Take some time to reflect and come up with a strategy. 

Concluding Remarks

Harnessing silent moments during the interviewing process can be very effective if used strategically. So in conclusion the 7 times to practice silence during the interviewing process is:

1. When imposter syndrome sets in
2. Right before the interview
3. During introductions
4. When someone else is talking
5. If you forget what you are saying
6. Immediately after a question is being asked
7. During salary negotiations.

Are you a PhD?

If so, have you mastered the art of silence during your interviews?

Tell me in a comment below.

To learn more about transitioning into industry, including how to gain instant access to industry career training videos, case studies, industry insider documents, a complete industry transition plan, and a private online job referral network for PhDs only, get on the waitlist for theCheeky Scientist Association.