The big problem with the ‘casual chat’ interview

The interview that’s costing people great jobs

There’s a type of interview that trips people up all the time.

Ironically, it’s the one that’s supposed to make everything easier.

The dreaded “casual chat.”

Hiring managers often frame interviews this way because they think it makes everyone feel more comfortable. It sounds relaxed. Low pressure. Just two people having a conversation.

But in reality, this interview style causes a huge problem.

And I’ve seen it play out again and again.

I’ve listened to almost a hundred hours of my clients’ live interviews, and the casual chat is one of the worst interview formats you can possibly have.

Because while it feels comfortable… it doesn’t give you the space to actually sell yourself for the role.

The problem with the casual chat

When an interview is framed as a casual chat, most candidates relax into it.

They start talking the same way they would with a friend at the pub.

They answer questions loosely. They share opinions. They chat about their experience.

And they leave the conversation feeling pretty good.

But interviewing isn’t about feeling comfortable.

It’s about positioning yourself as the solution to the problems this company or hiring manager is facing.

The danger with a casual chat is that you rarely get asked the kind of structured questions that allow you to do that.

You don’t get clear prompts. You don’t get obvious moments to share detailed examples. You don’t get the chance to show metrics or results.

So the conversation stays surface-level.

And the worst thing that can happen is this:

The hiring team walks away saying, “We really liked them… but we’re not sure how they’d add value in this role.”

Why most people struggle with this

Most people simply don’t know what to do when the interview becomes a casual chat.

So they follow the tone of the interviewer.

They relax. They answer casually. They treat it like a conversation rather than an opportunity to position themselves as the solution.

And because the interviewer hasn’t asked the right questions, they never really get the chance to show how good they actually are at their job.

How to handle the casual chat properly

If someone positions the interview as a casual chat, here’s what you need to do.

1. Never treat it like a casual chat

Even if the interviewer frames it that way, you shouldn’t approach it casually.

You should overprepare exactly the same way you would for any other interview. Be ready for the conversation to go in lots of different directions. And most importantly, go in with a very clear understanding of your pitch and positioning.

Why are you the solution to the problem this company has? If you know that before you walk into the interview, everything becomes easier.

2. Match their energy but control the message

When you’re in the interview, it’s important to match the interviewer’s energy. If they’re relaxed and conversational, mirror that tone.

But while the conversation feels casual on the surface, you should still be planting the seeds of your pitch.

For example, if they ask something like: “Tell me how you deal with tough clients.” You can absolutely answer that in a conversational way. But then add something powerful at the end.

Share a specific example of a time you dealt with a difficult client. Give the context. Talk through what happened. Explain the outcome.

Even if they didn’t ask for an example.

Because examples are what actually prove you’re good at your job.

The key takeaway

You can’t control how an interviewer runs the conversation. But you can control how you show up in it.

Know your pitch before you walk into the room. Answer questions through the lens of that pitch.And always include specific examples of your work, even when the questions are vague.

That way, even if the interview feels like a casual chat… You’ll still walk away sounding like the obvious person to hire.

Intensive interview support is one of the core offerings in my Creative Career Level Up programme. If you would like to work closely together to secure your next perfect role, check out more details, including testimonials, on our website here

Or use the link below to find out whether the Creative Career Level Up is the right fit for you.