Cut the Waffle: Why Concise Answers Matter in Job Interviews

Job interviews can feel like a high-pressure balancing act.

You want to impress, showcase your experience, and prove you’re the right fit. But there’s one trap that catches many candidates: waffling. Talking in circles, going off on tangents, or offering vague answers can quickly lose your interviewer’s interest.

Waffling isn't good to do in a job interview.

Here’s why being clear, concise, and specific matters more than ever.

1. Interviewers are short on time

Hiring managers often have a packed schedule and multiple candidates to meet. Long, meandering answers don’t just waste time – they make it harder for the interviewer to spot the value you bring. A short, structured answer shows respect for their time and keeps the conversation focused.

2. Waffling dilutes your impact

Even if you’ve got strong examples, burying them under too much background detail weakens your message. Concise answers let your achievements shine without the fluff. Think of it as giving the highlights reel, not the entire documentary.

3. Specificity beats vagueness

Saying you’re a “team player” or that you “always meet deadlines” won’t cut it. Interviewers want evidence. Back up your claims with clear, relevant examples that directly answer the question. Specifics are memorable – generalities are not.

4. Clear communication is a skill in itself

Employers aren’t just assessing your technical ability. They’re also weighing up how you’ll work with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. If you can explain your experience simply and directly, you’re already demonstrating strong communication skills.

5. Concise doesn’t mean robotic

Being to the point doesn’t mean stripping out personality. You can still sound engaged, enthusiastic, and human – just avoid rambling. The goal is to be structured, not scripted.

Tips to Keep Your Answers on Track

• Pause before speaking – give yourself a second to think.

• Answer the question asked – don’t drift into unrelated territory.

• Use frameworks like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep things tight.

• Edit yourself as you go – if you’ve made your point, stop talking.

The Bottom Line

In a job interview, less is often more. Being concise, specific, and relevant helps you come across as confident, competent, and easy to work with. Cut the waffle, and you’ll leave your interviewer with a clear picture of what you bring to the table – and why you’re the right choice.