The use of your verbal language in an interview can reflect positively or negatively on the over all impression you leave behind once you’ve completed your interview.

If you cannot hear the question, do not ask the interviewer to repeat directly using

“Pardon me” or

“Excuse me, can you repeat the question again?”

They make the interviewer feel that you have not been paying attention. Use key words the interviewer has used and rephrase the question to ask for clarification. You can use, for example,

“Do you mean…?” or

“Do I understand correctly that you mean…?”

Be careful in using expressions such as

“Sure”

“Obviously”

“Of course”

“No problem”

“As you know”

They make the interviewer feel you are conceited and arrogant. Offer answers that are factual and modest. You can rephrase your answer in other equally positive ways, for example,

“I believe that…” or

“I don’t see a major problem in…”

Be careful in using expressions such as

“To be frank” or

“To be honest”.

They imply that you have not been honest in answering previous questions. You should only use these expressions when you want to turn something negative into something potentially positive, for example, negotiating salary and terms of employment or discussing your weaknesses. When you cannot avoid a negative answer, you should soften the tone of the reply first, then offer affirmation to reassure the interviewer of your ability and eagerness for the job. For example,

“I do not have the answer to that question at this moment, but my past experience shows that I can learn fast. I believe I can acquire knowledge of that field on the job.”

End your answers promptly when you have offered all necessary details. Do not end by saying

“That’s all.”

You can indicate the end of your reply by nodding your head lightly to assure your interviewer.