Conversational Competency
In an increasingly digital age, the art of effective conversation, striking the perfect balance between talking and listening, seems to be a fading skill. Yet, this skill is pivotal, especially during the interviewing stage with a potential hire. It’s crucial to engage in a meaningful dialogue, rather than simply asking and answering questions. A great conversation can offer deep insights into the candidate’s mindset, problem-solving capabilities, and team synergy. Remember, a successful interview isn’t just about screening candidates, it’s about building relationships and fostering communication.
The balance between talking and listening effectively, seems to be a fading skill. But having a great conversation with a potential hire during the interviewing stage is key!
Celeste Headlee has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation: honesty, brevity, clarity, and a healthy amount of listening. In this insightful Ted Talk, Celeste uses her interview experience to provide a unique perspective on what makes for a good conversation. Celeste shares 10 useful rules for improving your conversational competency. These include:
- Don’t multitask.
- Don’t pontificate. Enter every conversation assuming you have something to learn.
- Use open ended questions.
- Go with the flow.
Watch the entire 10-minute video to find out the other six, and start using these useful conversation rules during your next interview:
For more interviewing advice check out these other blog posts:
The Hands-Down Best Way To Improve Interviewing Success
Mixed Messages: 3 Physical Cues That Could Send The Wrong Signal In An Interview



