Do interviewers only concentrate on answers?

[TeaAndChaos]

Hi all,

I'm just wondering when you have a job interview. Do they only concentrate on the answers you give or the bigger picture?

I'm not sure how my interview went, but I wasn't totally happy with the answers I gave, I'm out of practice, and it really showed today but the interview seemed to go well - it became casual and we had a chat, they asked about my availability and any pre planned holidays, they scanned my passport and gave me a tour of the offices and it seemed to go really well in the sense we really got along etc so I was wondering if I was still in with a chance really.

I guess I don't know until I get the email but I'm just trying to make myself feel better 😅

Absolutely more than the actual answers are taken into account. Were you enthusiastic, did you explain your logic or reasoning behind your answers, did you have many questions for the interviewers?

Good luck and hopefully good news is coming soon!

When I interview, provided your CV stacks up and I believe you have the necessary skills, I’m mainly thinking do I like this person? Could I work with this person and will they get on with the rest of the team.

Sounds like it went well!

I'm an employer and I definitely look at somebody's personality traits as well as their answers to questions. For example, an air of arrogance about a person is usually a no for me, and somebody I get along well with is going to get bonus points!

I think by having a chat with them all and being friendly you definitely show that you are somebody who will fit in nicely with a team. Good luck!

I don't have extensive interviewing experience but for me a huge part of the decision is about 'fit' with the culture and the other personalities in the team as well as the role itself. If it felt relaxed and chatty then that can only be a good sign. Good luck 😀

It really depends. In some workplaces they use a scoring system to keep interviews fair, in others it's more about personality and how you fit with the team.

“Fair” is subjective. In the civil service, for example, they insist you answer questions in a certain format and if you are good at that format (including if you have been intensively coached) you are likely to get the job, even if you are unsuitable.

Really chatting to see if the person fits is equally “fair”. I realize the intent of scoring systems is an attempt to make things objective, but it doesn’t necessarily work.

I guess people have different experiences with their interviewers but I found that the only interviews that ever went well for me were the ones where I felt I connected with the interviewer and the interview felt like a conversation rather than the interview. I guess what I am trying to say in response to your question is that at least for me it wasn't just about the answers I gave in the interviews. In fact, most of the time I didn't even remember the answers I gave or the questions!

Thank you, everyone - it seems it paid off as I got the job :)