The best communicators do 3 things in interviews — they get you hired within seconds, says expert

Mission to raise perspectives
24 hours ago
9 min read

Most job seekers obsess over the wrong things. They polish resumes, rehearse scripted answers, and pray their qualifications speak for themselves. They don't. According to research and insights from Pulitzer Prize–winning author Charles Duhigg, the candidates who consistently land offers aren't just qualified—they're exceptional communicators who make interviewers feel something. This guide breaks down the three communication habits that separate forgettable candidates from unforgettable ones: answering with authenticity instead of performance, asking questions that reveal genuine curiosity, and using body language to build invisible bridges of rapport. These aren't soft skills. They're strategic advantages. Studies show that hiring managers often make gut decisions within the first few minutes of an interview, and those decisions are shaped far more by how you communicate than what you say. The good news? These habits are learnable. The uncomfortable news? They require you to stop hiding behind preparation and start showing up as a human being. This article will give you the frameworks, the research, and the practical shifts to transform your next interview from a performance into a conversation—and dramatically increase your odds of hearing "You're hired."

The Interview Paradox: Why the Most Qualified Candidates Often Lose

Here's a truth that stings: You can have the perfect resume and still bomb an interview.

It happens every day. Brilliant professionals walk into rooms, recite impressive accomplishments, and walk out wondering why they didn't get the callback. Meanwhile, someone with fewer credentials lands the role because they made the interviewer feel like they'd already be a great colleague.

This isn't unfair. It's human.

Hiring managers aren't just evaluating your skills. They're asking themselves a quieter question: "Can I imagine working with this person every day for the next few years?" Your resume gets you in the door. Your communication determines whether you stay.

Charles Duhigg, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his investigative journalism and authored books on habits and communication, has spent years studying what he calls "supercommunicators"—people who consistently connect, persuade, and build trust in conversations. His research reveals that the best communicators in interviews do three deceptively simple things: they answer authentically, ask thoughtful questions, and mirror body language.

Simple doesn't mean easy. Let's break each one down.

Habit 1: Give Authentic Answers, Not Scripted Performances

The Problem with Trying to Impress

Most candidates walk into interviews with a secret mission: Don't mess this up.

That fear drives them to over-prepare. They memorize answers. They rehearse stories until they sound like TED Talk excerpts. They try so hard to seem impressive that they forget to seem real.

Interviewers notice. They always notice.

When your answers feel rehearsed, something subtle but important breaks down. The conversation stops flowing. The interviewer's brain shifts from "getting to know you" to "evaluating a performance." And performances are exhausting to watch—for everyone.

Duhigg argues that the most effective interview communication is also the most genuine. When you answer honestly but thoughtfully, you give the employer something they actually need: a realistic preview of who you are and how you'll show up in the role.

What Authenticity Actually Looks Like

Authenticity isn't oversharing. It's not confessing your deepest insecurities or telling them about your messy divorce. It's the difference between reading from a script and having a real conversation.

Consider the classic interview question: "What's your biggest weakness?"

The scripted answer sounds like this: "I'm a perfectionist. I just care too much about quality." Eye roll. Everyone knows this is deflection dressed up as humility.

The authentic answer sounds different. It acknowledges a real limitation—something you've genuinely struggled with—and then briefly explains what you're doing about it.

For example: "I've historically struggled with delegating. I'd take on too much myself because I didn't want to burden my team. Over the past year, I've been working on this by setting clearer priorities and trusting my colleagues more. It's still a work in progress, but I've seen real improvement in how I manage my workload."

Notice what that answer does. It demonstrates self-awareness. It shows maturity. It proves you're capable of growth. These qualities are far more compelling than a polished dodge.

The Science Behind Why This Works

Hiring decisions are emotional before they're rational. Research in organizational psychology suggests that interviewers form strong impressions within the first few minutes—sometimes within seconds—and then spend the rest of the conversation confirming those impressions.

When you sound rehearsed, you trigger skepticism. The interviewer's brain starts looking for what you're hiding. When you sound genuine, you trigger trust. The brain relaxes. Connection becomes possible.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare. You absolutely should. But preparation should be about clarity, not performance. Know your stories. Know your strengths. Then let the conversation breathe.

Habit 2: Ask Questions That Reveal Genuine Curiosity

Why Generic Questions Hurt You

Near the end of almost every interview, you'll hear some version of this: "Do you have any questions for me?"

Most candidates treat this as a formality. They ask safe, forgettable questions: "What does a typical day look like?" "What are the opportunities for advancement?" "How would you describe the culture?"

These questions aren't wrong. They're just boring. And boring is a risk you can't afford.

When you ask generic questions, you signal that you're going through the motions. You're checking a box. You're not actually curious about this specific role, this specific team, or this specific person sitting across from you.

Supercommunicators do something different.

The Art of the Deeper Question

Duhigg's research shows that exceptional communicators ask more questions—and they ask questions that touch on the interviewer's experience, values, and perspective. They make the conversation two-way.

Instead of "What's the culture like here?", try:

"What made you choose to join this company, and what's kept you here?"
"What part of your job do you enjoy the most?"
"When someone really thrives in this role, what do they tend to do differently?"

Feel the difference? These questions invite reflection. They ask the interviewer to share something real. And when people share something real with you, they feel closer to you.

The Strategic Power of Curiosity

Good questions do two things simultaneously.

First, they give you information you can't get anywhere else. Job descriptions lie. Company websites are marketing. But when you ask someone what genuinely keeps them at the company, you learn something true.

Second, they shift the dynamic. You stop sounding like a nervous candidate and start sounding like a potential colleague—someone who's already thinking about how to contribute, not just how to land the job.

Curiosity is disarming. When you're genuinely interested in the person across from you, they feel it. And they remember it.

Habit 3: Use Body Language to Build Invisible Bridges

The Unspoken Conversation

Words matter, but they're not everything. Communication researchers estimate that a significant portion of what we communicate comes through nonverbal cues—posture, facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice.

This is why some candidates say all the right things and still feel "off." Their words and their bodies are telling different stories.

Think about the last time you talked to someone who seemed distracted. They might have said the right words, but their eyes wandered. Their posture was closed. You probably walked away feeling unsettled, even if you couldn't articulate why.

Interviewers experience this same thing. They're reading your body constantly, usually without conscious awareness.

The Mirror Effect

Duhigg notes that effective communicators often mirror the body language of the person they're speaking with. This isn't manipulation. It's attunement.

When you subtly align with someone's physical cues, you signal that you're present, engaged, and on the same wavelength. You create what psychologists call "rapport"—that intangible sense of connection that makes conversations flow.

Here's what this looks like in practice:

If the interviewer smiles while talking about the team, you smile back.
If they lean in slightly during an important point, you lean in a bit too.
If their tone is calm and measured, you avoid coming across as overly intense or flat.

You're not copying every gesture—that would be awkward and obvious. You're matching their energy. You're meeting them where they are.

Building Nonverbal Awareness

Most of us don't think about our body language. We're too busy thinking about what to say next.

The fix isn't complicated, but it requires practice. Before your next interview, pay attention to one thing: How is the interviewer sitting, speaking, and moving? Then gently adjust your own presence to match.

Over time, this awareness becomes automatic. Interviews stop feeling like interrogations and start feeling like collaborative conversations. That's the goal.

Putting It All Together: A Practical Framework

You don't need to overhaul everything before your next interview. Start small. Pick one shift in each area:

Authenticity: Replace one canned answer with a real story. Choose a moment that actually happened, that shows who you are, and that connects to the role. Let it breathe.

Questions: Prepare two questions that go deeper than logistics. Ask about the interviewer's experience. Ask what success looks like. Show genuine curiosity.

Body language: Notice one thing about your interviewer—their posture, their energy, their expressions—and gently match it. Stay present. Stay connected.

These are subtle changes. But subtle changes compound. When you communicate with honesty, curiosity, and nonverbal warmth, you stop trying to "win" the interview. You start building a real connection.

And connection is what gets you hired.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sound authentic without oversharing personal information?

Authenticity is about honesty, not confession. Share real experiences and genuine reflections about your work, but keep personal details that aren't relevant to the role off the table. The goal is to sound like a real human being, not to become best friends. Stick to professional stories that reveal your character, your thinking process, and how you handle challenges.

What if I'm naturally introverted—can I still be a supercommunicator?

Absolutely. Supercommunication isn't about being extroverted or charming. It's about being present, curious, and genuine. Introverts often excel at listening deeply and asking thoughtful questions—two of the most powerful communication skills. Play to your strengths. You don't need to be the loudest person in the room to be the most memorable.

How many questions should I prepare to ask at the end of an interview?

Prepare at least four to five questions, knowing you probably won't ask them all. This gives you flexibility depending on how the conversation flows. Aim for a mix of deeper questions about the interviewer's experience and practical questions about the role. Prioritize questions that can't be answered by a quick Google search.

Is mirroring body language manipulative?

No. Mirroring is a natural human behavior that happens unconsciously in good conversations. When done subtly, it signals attunement and empathy—not manipulation. You're not trying to trick anyone. You're trying to connect. The key is to be genuine in your interest and let the physical alignment follow naturally.

How do I handle nerves that make me seem inauthentic?

Nerves are normal. Everyone feels them. The trick is to acknowledge them internally rather than fight them. Before the interview, take a few slow breaths. Remind yourself that the interviewer is also a human being who wants this conversation to go well. When you stop seeing the interview as a test and start seeing it as a conversation, the nerves often settle.

What if the interviewer asks a question I don't know how to answer?

Be honest. Say something like, "That's a great question—I haven't encountered that specific situation, but here's how I'd approach it." Interviewers respect intellectual honesty far more than confident bluffing. Trying to fake your way through an answer usually backfires.

How important is body language compared to what I actually say?

Both matter, but body language often sets the emotional tone. Research suggests that nonverbal cues heavily influence first impressions. Your words convey your qualifications; your body language conveys your presence, confidence, and warmth. When the two are aligned, you come across as trustworthy and capable.

Can these communication habits help in virtual interviews too?

Yes, though they require some adaptation. In virtual interviews, maintain eye contact by looking at the camera, not the screen. Nod and smile to show engagement since physical cues are harder to read through a screen. Speak clearly and pause slightly longer than feels natural to account for connection delays.

What's the biggest mistake candidates make in interviews?

Trying too hard to impress. When you focus on performing instead of connecting, you come across as inauthentic—and interviewers can feel it. The best candidates are the ones who show up as themselves, ask genuine questions, and treat the interview as a two-way conversation rather than an audition.

How long does it take to develop these communication habits?

Like any skill, it depends on practice. You'll likely notice improvements after just a few conscious attempts, but true fluency takes time. Start by focusing on one habit per interview. Over weeks and months, these shifts will become second nature, and you'll find that interviews—and conversations in general—feel more natural and connected.

References

CNBC. "Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter shares the communication habits of top interview candidates." CNBC Make It. https://www.cnbc.com/make-it/
Duhigg, Charles. Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection. Random House, 2024.
CNBC. "Interview tips: How to answer 'What's your biggest weakness?' according to career experts." CNBC Make It. https://www.cnbc.com/make-it/
CNBC. "The best questions to ask at the end of a job interview, according to communication experts." CNBC Make It. https://www.cnbc.com/make-it/
CNBC. "Why body language matters in interviews and how to use mirroring to build rapport." CNBC Make It. https://www.cnbc.com/make-it/