Listening is smart!

My old boss told me that saying smart things and giving smart answers are important, but learning to listen to others and ask smart questions is far more important.

This is never more true than an interview situation. Usually the interviewer is asking most of the questions and listening to the candidates answers. Surely as the candidate you also want to listen and learn more about the organisation to make sure they are right for you.

It is your responsibility to plan and prepare smart questions for the interviewer and others in the organisation. Really listen to their answers, sometimes it's what they don't say which is important. When you prepare your questions, write down bullet points about what you want to hear, the things that really matter to you. If they don't give these answers, probe some more.

You will then be in a better position to decide if the organisation is right for you and your career.

Listening is such an under rated skill and something we should all do a bit more of.