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Interviewing: Why Less Is More and More Is Less
by Brian Cavataio 01/26/2025
Interviewing for a new job is an exciting opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and potential. However, many candidates fall into the trap of oversharing, which can inadvertently harm their chances. When it comes to interviewing, the principle of “less is more” and “more is less” is a key mindset to embrace.
Let’s dive into why concise, professional communication is essential during an interview and how oversharing, especially about your personal life, can derail your chances.
The Value of Brevity: Less Is More
When asked a question during an interview, your goal is to provide a clear, concise, and relevant answer. Employers value candidates who can articulate their thoughts effectively without overexplaining. Here’s why:
- Time Is Limited: Interviews are typically structured within a set timeframe. Long-winded answers can consume valuable time, leaving little room to discuss other critical topics.
- Focus on What Matters: A concise answer ensures that the interviewer can easily identify your key qualifications and accomplishments without sifting through unnecessary details.
- Showcase Your Professionalism: Being direct and to the point demonstrates that you respect the interviewer’s time and are well-prepared.
The Pitfalls of Oversharing: More Is Less
While it’s natural to want to make a connection with your interviewer, sharing too much—especially about your personal life—can have unintended consequences:
- Diluting Your Message: Providing excessive detail can make it harder for the interviewer to grasp your main points. The more you say, the less memorable your key achievements become.
- Unintended Bias: Sharing personal information, such as family challenges, hobbies, or unrelated anecdotes, can introduce factors that aren’t relevant to your qualifications. While it may not always lead to bias, it’s best to keep the focus on your professional attributes.
- Risk of Over-Explaining Weaknesses: When asked about challenges or failures, some candidates go overboard in their explanations. This can magnify the issue rather than showing how you’ve overcome it.
Keep It Professional
To avoid oversharing and maintain professionalism during an interview, follow these best practices:
- Stick to the STAR Method: When answering behavioral questions, use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) framework. This helps you stay focused and organized.
- Practice Active Listening: Pay close attention to the question being asked. Provide an answer that directly addresses the query without veering off-topic.
- Leave Personal Details Out: Avoid discussing personal life unless it directly relates to the role (e.g., relocating for the job). Keep the conversation centered on your skills, experiences, and how you can add value to the organization.
- Prepare Key Talking Points: Before the interview, identify 3-4 key accomplishments or skills you want to highlight. Use these as anchors to guide your responses.
- Pause Before Answering: Take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding. This helps you provide a more thoughtful and measured answer.
The Right Balance
An interview is a two-way street: you’re evaluating the company just as much as they’re evaluating you. Striking the right balance between being personable and professional is crucial. You want to build rapport while still demonstrating your expertise and alignment with the role.
By keeping your answers concise and focused, you’ll project confidence, clarity, and professionalism. Avoid the temptation to overshare, and remember that sometimes, less really is more.
In the end, your goal is to leave the interviewer with a clear understanding of why you’re the right candidate for the role—not with a flood of unrelated details that could muddy the waters.
Stay focused. Stay professional. And let your qualifications speak for themselves.