Active listening is very appealing. By listening, you will look at the interviewer’s body language and maybe recognize why they’ve asked the question. If you really actively listen in your interview, you can request additional details to make sure that you’re answering the actual question. That’s the important thing – you need to answer the question that they ask. If they ask you the time, don’t tell them how the watch works.
Through active listening, your interview will be more succinct, focused, and more relaxed. It’s amazing how many times I had been in an interview where I’ve asked a question and about 15 seconds into answering my question, I can tell the person really didn’t hear what I asked and they want to stop and say, “I’m sorry, can you say that again?” But they’re embarrassed to do so. So listen – actively.
The most important thing about handling questions is to listen to the actual question. Many people, are not focused on what the interviewer is saying. Their mind is focused elsewhere; trying to get ahead of the next question or trying to edit the presentation that they’re making before they actually say it. That, or reviewing what they’ve already said in the previous question. Say what you have to say confidently with assertiveness and then let your brain relax and listen to the question.
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