What is the 70 30 rule interview?

Mastering the Interview: The 70/30 Rule and Why It Works

The job interview. A high-stakes performance where your communication skills are just as crucial as your qualifications. While there’s no magic formula for guaranteed success, understanding and employing effective communication strategies dramatically increases your chances. One such strategy, often unstated but highly effective, is the 70/30 rule.

This isn’t about achieving a precise 70/30 split on a stopwatch. It’s a guideline for the balance of conversational contributions. The 70/30 rule in interviewing suggests the interviewer should lead the conversation approximately 70% of the time, while the interviewee contributes around 30%. This seemingly counterintuitive approach is actually incredibly powerful.

Why is letting the interviewer dominate the conversation beneficial? Several key reasons stand out:

• Targeted Information Delivery: Instead of rambling or going off on tangents, the 70/30 rule encourages a focused response to specific questions. You avoid unnecessary details that might distract from your key strengths and experience. This allows you to present your qualifications in a concise and impactful way, precisely where it matters most.

• Demonstrates Active Listening: By attentively listening to the interviewer’s questions and prompts, you demonstrate engagement and respect for their time. This attentive listening allows for more thoughtful and relevant answers, showcasing your genuine interest in the role and the company. Interrupting or dominating the conversation, conversely, projects impatience and disinterest.

• Reveals Natural Communication Style: A balanced conversation allows your personality to shine through naturally. By focusing on thoughtful responses rather than extensive self-promotion, you create space for genuine interaction, allowing the interviewer to assess your communication style and interpersonal skills – crucial elements for many roles.

• Facilitates a Deeper Understanding: By listening more, you gain a better understanding of the interviewer’s expectations and concerns. This informed understanding allows you to tailor your answers more effectively and address any potential doubts or reservations the interviewer might have.

• Avoids Over-Sharing: The 70/30 rule helps to prevent oversharing, a common pitfall in interviews. By focusing on relevant information in response to specific questions, you avoid revealing too much personal information or potentially damaging details that are not pertinent to the job at hand.

It’s crucial to emphasize that the 70/30 rule is not about being passive. Your 30% should be impactful, showcasing your skills, experience, and enthusiasm. Think of it as strategically deploying your verbal ammunition, rather than firing wildly. Prepare insightful answers, use concise language, and ask thoughtful, relevant questions of your own within your allocated 30%.

In conclusion, while aiming for a precise numerical ratio isn’t the point, the 70/30 rule serves as a valuable framework for effective interviewing. By focusing on attentive listening and providing concise, impactful responses, you can present yourself as a confident, engaged, and ultimately, more desirable candidate. The goal is not to be quiet, but to be strategically articulate and impactful within a balanced conversation.