This interview mistake is an 'absolute' red flag, says tech exec—here's how to avoid making it

To ace a job interview, you need to deliver confident responses, and a key factor in doing so is to attentively listen to what the interviewer is asking.

One of the biggest warning signs Munson sees in job applicants is when they don't listen carefully to the question being asked and respond with an inappropriate answer, according to Vimeo's chief financial officer.

Even when a job candidate attempts to sidestep a question they don't feel like addressing, it's crucial to specifically recognize the question and connect your response back to it, suggests Munson, a 54-year-old with over three decades of experience in finance.

Improving Active Listening Skills

According to Sarah Sarkis, a psychologist and Senior Director of Performance Psychology at Exos.

Few people know how to be fully engaged in a conversation and respond thoughtfully to what another person is saying, she said. People often "enter the conversation expecting the outcome you want, or are distracted," she pointed out.

Sarkis advises improving your listening skills by soliciting feedback from your colleagues and more effectively engaging in conversations. She suggests practicing reflective listening, which involves paraphrasing what the other person says, and asking open-ended questions to build stronger connections.

Sarkis referred to active listening as "having a superpower." He stated, "When the team members you're working with feel seen, heard, and supported, you're able to achieve much more as a collaborative unit."

Illuminating interview questions

Munson also has a key question in her interview routine that can provide valuable insight into a candidate's character: If I were to ask your previous supervisor what their honest opinion of you is, what would they say?

The prompts urge individuals to think about their strengths and challenges, providing a chance to showcase their genuine persona, as per Munson, suggests.

Munson seeks an effective response from a candidate who is "fairly transparent" about areas needing improvement. This awareness enables you to form a connection with the interviewer and demonstrate whether you're a suitable fit.

Munson often inquires with interviewees about their motivations behind choosing a particular school or previous work experience. She notes that knowing this can provide insight into their decision-making processes, which subsequently shine through in their daily work habits.

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