Small talk before interview

UCD GroupThink

During the few minutes from when you meet your interviewer to when walk to the interview room, do you feel that it's bad to leave it be silent. Or do you try to desperately fill the dead air space?

It's just the last interview I was at, I literally couldn't think of anything to say during this 'walk'! I then just made a comment about the weather. The interview lady had a sexy tattoo on her foot, but I resisted from saying anything about that!

B-D-P--

I talk,
Show I'm sociable and will fit in with my new colleagues and I'm not a social awkward person who wont talk at lunch.

Foweva Awone

I just chat about the weather, or maybe the office location or something.

seamus

Makes no odds. If the interviewer is a chatty person, they'll talk. If they're not, they won't, and they won't judge you for not talking.

Have a look around on the way, if you feel the need to comment (positively!) on anything in the office, e.g. "I love how bright the office is", then do that. But don't feel the need to fill in the dead air.

OMM 0000

I would usually make smalltalk, be friendly and easy going.

Then in the interview room I turn on the seriousness.

As an interviewer I don't expect them to do anything. I know they are nervous and it's a weird situation.

tomwaits48

i would maybe mention something in the news that is topical for the company in question. If someone said nothing I'd be slightly concerned that they had poor social skills or confidence issues. Just be natural. Small talk is a skill needed in any walk of life. Staying mute is not good.

realdanbreen

'Nice Ass' usually works if you're walking behind them.

UCD GroupThink

tomwaits48 wrote: »

i would maybe mention something in the news that is topical for the company in question. If someone said nothing I'd be slightly concerned that they had poor social skills or confidence issues. Just be natural. Small talk is a skill needed in any walk of life. Staying mute is not good.

I agree, but I also agree with what seamus said.

seamus wrote: »

don't feel the need to fill in the dead air.

So there's kind of a contradiction there.

Ultimately if I sense it's somehow going to feel awkward I'll say something.

OldMrBrennan83

B-D-P-- wrote: »

I talk,
Show I'm sociable and will fit in with my new colleagues and I'm not a social awkward person who wont talk at lunch.

If it's a job that feel it's important that you talk at lunch then just walking by straight out the door before the interview is probably the best bet.

UCD GroupThink

realdanbreen wrote: »

'Nice Ass' usually works if you're walking behind them.

Don't tempt me, I'm a massive pervert.

The Bishop Basher

The walk to and from the interview room is part of the interview.

A lot of people forget that.

I’ve had a few people relax just a little too much as I walk them to the door and it has ultimately cost them the job..

realdanbreen

Rennaws wrote: »

I’ve had a few people relax just a little too much as I walk them to the door and it has ultimately cost them the job..

You're kidding me!
Were you interviewing for chief of staff of the armed forces or something?
If there is anything that galls me it's guys who for a fleeting period are in what they perceive as a superior position trying to lord it over someone.

splinter65

realdanbreen wrote: »

You're kidding me!
Were you interviewing for chief of staff of the armed forces or something?
If there is anything that galls me it's guys who for a fleeting period are in what they perceive as a superior position trying to lord it over someone.

Any personal remarks “ I like your highlights!” “I saw that top in Dunnes myself the other day it’s a lovely length” would indicate “no common sense” to me, so you’d at least be at a disadvantage. Candidates with any maturity can pick up on the “vibe” from the interviewer and can either say “hopefully the weather stays nice for the weekend” or absolutely nothing at all.

Franz Von Peppercorn

It’s probably the one place and time where small talk isn’t that useful. The only small talk generally would be about the standard “so you found us ok” or “did you travel that far?” Which they ask.

Want to talk about the company news? Wait for the interview.

godtabh

B-D-P-- wrote: »

I talk,
Show I'm sociable and will fit in with my new colleagues and I'm not a social awkward person who wont talk at lunch.

Thats part of the interview. To be able to show you can talk with people. Very important for a front facing role.

ELM327

Serious response:
I'd generally suggest some conversation if it feels right. If the interviewer is walking a step or two ahead of you it may be that silence is ok




Joke response:

realdanbreen wrote: »

'Nice Ass' usually works if you're walking behind them.

I normally prefer to imply that via an awkward erection as opposed to saying anything. Just to be polite, you know.

Conall Cernach

UCD GroupThink wrote: »

Don't tempt me, I'm a massive pervert.

I wouldn't say that unless it was a very niche area role.

realdanbreen

ELM327 wrote: »

Serious response:
I'd generally suggest some conversation if it feels right. If the interviewer is walking a step or two ahead of you it may be that silence is ok




Joke response:




I normally prefer to imply that via an awkward erection as opposed to saying anything. Just to be polite, you know.

What, you just look down at the bulge and shrug?

ELM327

realdanbreen wrote: »

What, you just look down at the bulge and shrug?

No, that would be a nonchalant erection.
An awkward erection would imply some sort of attempted and failed concealment :P

pgj2015

tomwaits48 wrote: »

i would maybe mention something in the news that is topical for the company in question. If someone said nothing I'd be slightly concerned that they had poor social skills or confidence issues. Just be natural. Small talk is a skill needed in any walk of life. Staying mute is not good.

good idea

The Bishop Basher

realdanbreen wrote: »

If there is anything that galls me it's guys who for a fleeting period are in what they perceive as a superior position trying to lord it over someone.

You couldn't have me more wrong if you tried..

I don't lord it over anyone. Ever.

And conducting interviews isn't lording it over anyone.

It's a job, just like any other.

I've had people do a great interview but completely relax on the walk to the door and start flucking and blinding about their current employer which put them out of the running.

They relaxed because I go out of my way to make interviews a positive experience. It’s not in anyone’s interest for me to lord it least of all mine. I regard an interview as a 2 way street. It’s as much about the candidate getting to know us as it is us trying to get to know them.

If you think that's lording it over people you need to grow up.

UCD GroupThink

ELM327 wrote: »

Joke response:

I normally prefer to imply that via an awkward erection as opposed to saying anything. Just to be polite, you know.

It's not funny if you tell us it's a joke.

Ursus Horribilis

I just take the lead of the person bringing me from the waiting area into the interview room. If they make small talk, I will too. If not, I say nothing. I think it's helpful to make some sort of human connection with them though, especially if they're people you'll be working with. Although they'll obviously be interested in whether you're capable of doing the job or not, they'll also be trying to gauge you as a person. Are you someone they can work with, someone who'll fit in.

_Brian

When I’m interviewing I just let the candidate lead, if they want small talk fine, if not, that’s fine too.

Either way it’s the interview performance that counts, you just want them comfortable and relaxed so they can do their best.

Pkiernan

Small talk can be used to find out information they are not allowed to ask you in the interview.