Tessa DavisI help doctors in the UK prep for their senior job interviews

Use the silence to gather your thoughts and plan a clear, confident response.

30 Oct 2024 · 1 min

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In this brief instructional clip, Tessa Davis advises speakers to deliberately pause after a question is asked, using the silence to think and plan their response. She recommends remaining completely silent until the questioner finishes, then taking a few seconds—if needed, explicitly stating a desire for a short pause—to organize thoughts. This approach ensures the speaker knows what to say, appears more present and connected, and delivers a higher‑quality answer. Davis also notes that panels appreciate the thoughtful pause, and that the technique restores a sense of control and boosts confidence for the responder.

Chapters

Use the pause. After they finish asking the question, just have complete silence and use that time to think and plan what you're gonna say. And that way, when you start, when you start answering the question, you're ready. You know what you're going to say so you can be more present and connected. And if you're nervous about doing this the first time you do it, just say, I'd just like to take a few seconds to think before I answer. Simple as that. No panel is going to say, no, you must start talking now. They'll be so much happier that you've used the time to plan and you're giving a better answer. It'll also make you feel like you've regained some control, and it'll give you more confidence when you answer. Use the pause.