Identify And Address Interview Fluff: Pro Tips For Getting Real Answers

8 mins read

You have spent hours crafting the best interview questions to find the perfect candidate, but all you are getting back is a verbal cloud of generic phrases like 'go-getter' and 'team player' for almost every question. It is enough to make you want to scream!  Right? 

The primary goal of an interviewer is to identify the most qualified candidates who possess the skills, experiences, and qualities needed to excel in the position that one is hiring for. However, amidst carefully crafted resumes and polished interview performances, there lies a common challenge: INTERVIEW FLUFF.

Interview fluff refers to the art of filling the air with words that sound impressive but lack substance, leaving us with a clouded understanding of the candidate's true capabilities. Are you looking to cut through the interview fluff and get a straight peek into the candidate’s real skills and potential? Yes? Then, this article is a must-read.

Understanding Fluff

Interview fluff refers to the use of vague, exaggerated, or irrelevant information by a candidate during an interview. It is a tactic employed to impress the interviewer or fill gaps in knowledge, skills, or experience.

Interviewers should watch out for interview fluff to ensure accurate evaluation, avoid hiring mistakes, maintain efficiency, uphold fairness, and protect the company's reputation. Fluff can obscure a candidate's true qualifications, waste valuable time, and lead to unfair advantages for certain candidates. By being vigilant for fluff, interviewers can gather genuine information, make informed hiring decisions, and contribute to the organisation's success.

Examples of Interview Fluff

Need better picture of how fluff sounds like in a job interview? Here are some examples that you may have come across.

Answer Lacks Specifics

Question: Tell me about a time you showed leadership skills.

Fluff Answer: "I'm a very strong leader. I'm always willing to take charge and motivate my team. I believe in leading by example and fostering a positive work environment." 

Generic Answers Showing No Research

Question: Why are you interested in this position?

Fluff Answer: “I am really passionate about [company name]'s mission and values. I have always been interested in [industry], and I think this role would be a great opportunity for me to grow and learn."

No Real-Life Situation To Support An Answer

Question: Describe a time you faced a challenge at work.

Fluff Answer: "Oh, there have been many challenges! I am always up for a good challenge, it helps me think outside the box. In one instance, things were a bit hectic, and there was a tight deadline approaching. It required a lot of teamwork and creative problem-solving, but we just pulled it off together!”

Answer Lacking Specific Strategies/Methods For Managing A Situation

Question: How would you handle a disagreement with a colleague?

Fluff Answer: I believe in open communication and collaboration. I am always willing to listen to other viewpoints and find a solution that works for everyone.

Identifying Interview Fluff

Summing up the examples above, we can say that identifying fluff would be easy if you look out for some red flags! There are:

• Vague Generalities: Listen for answers filled with generic terms like ‘highly motivated’, ‘team player’, or ‘excellent communicator’ without specific examples to back them up.
• Focus on Buzzwords: Be wary of answers packed with industry jargon that doesn't demonstrate actual skills or experience. They might throw around terms like ‘synergy’ or ‘disruptive’ without explaining how they have applied them.
• Excessive storytelling: While storytelling can be effective in conveying experiences, candidates may go off on tangents or provide irrelevant details that do not add value to their responses.
• Lack of Numbers or Data: If an answer mentions accomplishments but lacks quantifiable details like percentages, numbers, or specific metrics, it could be fluff.
• Focus on Feelings instead of actions: Answers that dwell on emotions and feelings instead of concrete actions and results might be fluffy. For example, "I felt really passionate about the project" doesn't tell you what they did.
• Hesitation and Lack of Detail: If a candidate hesitates or struggles to provide specifics when pressed for details, it might be a sign they're embellishing.
• Inconsistency: Watch out for inconsistencies in the timeline or details of their stories across different answers.
• Overly Positive Spin: A candidate who paints themself in an unrealistically positive light, avoiding any mention of challenges or mistakes, could be using fluff to mask weaknesses.
• Non-verbal cues: Excessive hand gestures or avoiding eye contact can sometimes indicate that a candidate is not being truthful or trying to mask their lack of knowledge with fluff.

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Addressing Interview Fluff

Once you have identified interview fluff, it is crucial to address it effectively without derailing the interview process. Here are some tips for handling interview fluff:

• Set Expectations: Right from the outset, encourage candidates to focus on the results of their actions rather than just the actions themselves. Setting expectations upfront can help minimize interview fluff and ensure a more productive conversation.
• Use the STAR Method Gently: Instead of a rigid structure, use the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result) as a loose guide to prompt for specifics in a conversational manner. Subtly let the candidate know that you value specific examples and details in their responses to gain a better understanding of their qualifications and skills.
• Scenario-Based Questions: Present the candidate with a hypothetical situation relevant to the role and ask them how they would handle it. This reveals their problem-solving approach and thought process.
• Ask Follow-up Questions: Try to dig deeper during the interview. If the candidate mentions a skill, ask them a follow-up question: "Can you tell me about a time you utilized this skill?” or “Could you elaborate on the specific challenges you faced?"
• Positive Reinforcement: When a candidate does provide a specific example in their replies, acknowledge and appreciate it. This sets the tone of the interview and encourages them to continue providing concrete details throughout the process. You could say, “Thank you for sharing that example. Can you tell me more about the specific steps you took?”
• The Reverse Interview Approach: Turn the tables and allow the candidate to ask you insightful questions about the company culture, team dynamics, and the role itself. Their questions can reveal their priorities, research level, and genuine interest in the position beyond just landing a job.

By implementing these strategies, interviewers can effectively identify and address interview fluff to make more informed hiring decisions and select the best candidates for the job.

Summing Up: Seeing Through the Fluff

While interview fluff can be a roadblock to understanding a candidate's true potential, it doesn't have to be a dealbreaker. By employing strategies like the STAR method, behavioral questions, and active listening, you can effectively identify and address areas lacking in substance. Remember, some seemingly vague answers might mask valuable soft skills or simply be a result of interview jitters. Creating a comfortable interview environment and offering the candidate a chance to elaborate can make a big difference. Ultimately, the goal is to assess a candidate's abilities through a fair and nuanced evaluation, not simply dismiss them based on a few fluffy answers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is interview fluff?

Interview fluff refers to unnecessary or irrelevant information provided by a candidate during an interview that does not directly address the question asked. It can include vague responses, excessive details, or unrelated anecdotes.

2. How can I identify interview fluff?

To identify interview fluff, pay attention to responses that lack substance or relevance to the question. Look for rambling answers, excessive use of filler words, or responses that do not directly address the interviewer's query.

3. Why is it important to address interview fluff?

Addressing interview fluff is crucial as it helps maintain focus during the interview process, ensures efficient use of time for both parties, and allows for a more accurate evaluation of the candidate's qualifications and fit for the role.

4. What are effective questioning techniques to prevent interview fluff?

Use open-ended questions that require detailed responses, clarify ambiguous points in the candidate's answers, and guide the conversation back to the main topic if it veers off track. Employing structured interviews with well-defined criteria can also help minimize fluff.