Q: I have a feeling that I talk too much in interviews. Once I get started answering a question, I can’t seem to stop myself. How can I give the best, most informative answer without saying too much?

A: Being mindful of how much you talk and knowing when to stay quiet can help you progress to the next stage in your job hunt. Start by listening carefully to what’s asked before you jump in to respond. If you know your strengths and have a clear idea of why you would be perfect for the opportunity you’re discussing, your answer should come naturally to you.

First, you’ll need a solid understanding of the job requirements, which you can get from the job posting. Before the interview, prepare examples or stories that will show the interviewer that you have the necessary skills and experience to meet them. Your examples should be four or five sentences long—think in terms of a paragraph rather than a full page of words.

Your examples should be four or five sentences long—think in terms of a paragraph rather than a full page of words.

Practice your examples out loud, and if possible, get a colleague to give you feedback on them. You don’t necessarily need to memorize them, but it’s a good idea to get comfortable saying the words out loud. Doing this will help you to give more confident, polished answers during the interview.

Watch the interviewer’s body language in response to your answer. Do their eyes glaze over or do they show other clear signs of disinterest? That‘s a good indication you’re going into too much detail. After giving your response, stop and let the interviewer ask follow-up questions.

If you know your strengths and prepare your examples, listen carefully to what’s asked, and watch the reaction you get from the interviewer, you should be able to answer questions effectively and concisely.