Imagine an interview with a talkative candidate or “speaker” who keeps going off topic. You would stop, interrupt, get the conversation back on track and within the time frame of the interview. And how to do it tactfully, without making the candidate uncomfortable and with minimal emotional damage. The delicate position. I think the situation is familiar to recruiters, HR professionals, and managers who regularly interview candidates.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but we would like to share with you a few tips and tricks that we have put into practice:

1. Stop Fearing to Interrupt. It’s okay to interrupt when a candidate is “off topic” or rambling. It’s not being rude, disrespectful, or devaluing the person you’re talking to. It is the ability to keep the conversation within the established time and topic limits.
2. When we have them, we know how to behave. At the beginning of the conversation, outline the format of the time and the plan for the meeting. Ask, “Do you mind if I stop or interrupt you when necessary to stay on topic?” and politely outline the terms of the interview. The candidate’s response to such a question will be affirmative and accepted with understanding.
3. Friendly, pleasant tone; smile; firm and clear voice.
4. “Ann”, “Ms. Loius”, “Other name”. If you address a candidate by name during an interview, his or her attention will be diverted. He or she will pause, and you can “turn” the conversation in the right direction.
5. Interjections are a good pre-interruption tactic. While the candidate is talking, occasionally raise your voice with these words. You’ll find it easier to interrupt when the time comes.
6. The “Fish” technique. Open your mouth slightly and lean forward as if you want to say something. You can raise your hand or index finger. Even if you do not say anything, the other person will take these movements as a signal that you need to stop thinking and pause.
7. “So,” “That’s very interesting,” “Could you stop at this point?” Phrases like these allow you to “gently” interrupt the candidate, interrupt his monologue, and move on to another question or topic.
8. The commonly used phrase, “I’m sorry to have to stop or interrupt you,” is straightforward and unambiguous. It works well when combined with “We have 5-10 minutes left and I’d like to discuss this with you…” or “We’re running out of time and we haven’t gotten to what you wanted to ask…”
9. If interrupting is new to you, work on your tone and techniques beforehand, ask your colleagues to “check in” with you.

Part of being successful in an interview is time management. Being able to tactfully interrupt or stop your interviewer at the right moment and continue a constructive conversation is part of time management and respecting your own interests and those of the candidate.