There are many books written to assist the job seeker with successful interview techniques. It is difficult to anticipate, however, whether the actual interview experience will be the process that you prepared for. While it is a must to prepare for your interview, it is nearly impossible to predict the personal style of interviewer you will meet with.

Fran, an accomplished manager, was enthusiastic about his interview with the vice president of a medium sized, fast growing company. He did all the appropriate research and preparation for the meeting. However, following the interview he expressed frustration and disappointment about the experience. The vice president had talked almost the entire time, hardly giving Fran any opportunity to talk about this experience and accomplishments.

“What really concerned me is this,” Fran expressed to a colleague afterwards, “The interviewer talked so much that if I hadn’t been assertive and created opportunities to refocus the conversation toward myself, he would have had absolutely no basis on which to evaluate my candidacy for his job.”

While it is important that the interviewer offer foundational information for the interview, it is essential that there is a balanced conversation and dialogue. What do you do when you are faced with an interviewer who talks too much? How do you manage to have the opportunity to showcase yourself and your accomplishments?

First, observe the interviewer’s general style and personality. Allow them sufficient time to share information about the company – it is appropriate and creates the context in which you will tell them about yourself. As you listen and observe, you may want to ask yourself what it would be like to have this person as your new manager. Remember that a positive trait for an interviewer or for a boss is the ability and willingness to listen and show interest in what the other person has to say.

When it becomes very obvious that you are with an eager talker, you will probably be thinking, “Do I interrupt to get a word in edgewise or just let him go on and on?” If you interrupt will the interviewer be offended? And what if he is? He certainly offended you by inviting you for an interview and then not allowing you to participate in the discussion. Wait until you have an opening.

Interviewer: “….and when I became vice president two years ago, I decided that what this company really needed was to centralize for efficiency….”

You: (taking advantage of a moment when he pauses to take a breath…) “You know, Ed, there certainly are benefits to centralizing the purchasing function to leverage volume buying.” (You have validated and complimented him. Now, continue to talk about your related experience.) “We made a similar change at the Garber Corporation. I was chartered with designing and implementing the technology that would support consolidation and centralization of their purchasing function. I’m pleased to say that while we did have some challenges along the way, the end result was far more efficient and cost effective.”

Now, wait and let the interviewer take the next step. If he is aware, he will take your cue and ask a probing follow-up question such as, “What were some of those challenges you had along the way?” or, “How did you handle these challenges?” The interview is now on track, and hopefully will stay there.

If the interviewer does not take the cue from you, and begins talking about himself some more, wait until an appropriate time to interject and transition the discussion back to yourself again. Taking the ball back into your court does not need to feel awkward. Chose your timing carefully and glide right in. Do this as many times as you need in order to get your experience and accomplishments known.

A candidate who found herself in this type of situation later described the interview experience as “fighting for air time.” If this situation should happen to you, you might want to seriously question whether you want to work with and for this person. If you know that the answer is that you would not, you may just want to allow the person to talk on. When the interview is over, leave gracefully saying, “It was very nice to have met you, Ed.