Set yourself up for a more enjoyable experience

During an interview situation, when a journalist asks a question, we tend to immediately and literally answer the question. It’s just in our nature.

If the time allows, I suggest taking a pause, think about the question for a second, then start your response with something that displays a bit of your personality. It could be a phrase you like to use, a natural gesture, or just something that makes you feel comfortable with your interviewer. Then you can head into your response.

The idea, to this approach is to make your interview slightly less formal, more conversational, and at the same time, it allows you to give the interview a little breathing room. And when you have some breathing room, you can eek out a little of your true self and allow people to see you, the human being, as someone separate from the role you play, or the project you wrote, and/or directed. Besides, you will feel more relaxed and maybe have a bit of fun (obviously using the word “fun” very loosely here)!

— Suzanne