Have you ever tried to ‘guesstimate’ a minute? While most people can guess within 15 seconds, very few can guess accurately. One of the keys to interviewing success is knowing how to gauge 60 seconds: it will help you keep your cool in an job interview and your answers to no more than a minute. Any longer, and you’ll forever be known as a ‘talking head’.

I once interviewed a job candidate (let’s call him Mark) who blew my mind. Sadly, not in a good way. After exchanging introductions, I asked Mark the standard, “Tell me about yourself-”, sat back, and listened. Mark spoke for a minute, then another and then another six. He then proceeded to continue speaking for another 10 long and painful minutes. I nearly fell off my chair from boredom, exhaustion and utter disbelief. 20 minutes?!! He lost me after three. Needless to say, that was the end of Mark’s interview. It was unfortunate – and completely avoidable.

Although Mark was entirely competent, his nerves were significantly affecting his behaviour. If he had been in a less stressful situation, he might not have rambled on for 20 minutes, illustrating his discomfort and lack of self confidence. To make matters worse, Mark was seeking a high-pressure position. I would have offered him the job had he proven that he was able to communicate effectively while under pressure. For Mark, as is often the case, the stress of the job interview was the test itself.

Mark is no different from many of his peers: 20 per cent of IT and engineering professionals drop out of their field because they can’t handle interview jitters.

If you’re among those who fall victim to nerves, take heart – there’s hope on the horizon. It’s ‘The 60 Second Sell’. Learning how to keep your answers well articulated, clear, concise and no longer than a minute – no matter how stressed out or worried you may be.

Want to know how?

Read the next interview coach article: : Master the Moment and The Big Bad JOB Interview
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