Serious Q here... How long to talk before being considered to be rambling?

[PeterPatting]

Seeing how U of T's MPI is supposed to be a "conversation." I was thinking something in the neighbourhood of 4 minutes straight of talking would be way too much (even with the most interesting of things to express), with 2 minutes being ideal and 3 minutes being borderline. Help a brother out here lol!

[jesustakethewheel]

I don't think you can quantify how much you need to talk. If you feel like you've given an answer to the question correctly, explained it thoroughly, and have said all that you need to say without repeating yourself, then that can take however long you need to take. You'll find in the interview that it's very much like a conversation and most people don't ramble on for more than 2-3 minutes. Now that may differ if the interviewer asks you an ethics based question for example where you may want to talk for a little bit longer to really explain your answer since that tends to involve a lot more critical thinking. Remember that the interviewers also have many prompts and the more questions they ask the more they get to know about you. Don't think of the interview in terms of "how many minutes do I need to talk" or "what do I need to say". The best advice anyone can give is to be yourself and be honest. Good luck!

[PeterPatting]

16 hours ago, jesustakethewheel said:

I don't think you can quantify how much you need to talk. If you feel like you've given an answer to the question correctly, explained it thoroughly, and have said all that you need to say without repeating yourself, then that can take however long you need to take. You'll find in the interview that it's very much like a conversation and most people don't ramble on for more than 2-3 minutes. Now that may differ if the interviewer asks you an ethics based question for example where you may want to talk for a little bit longer to really explain your answer since that tends to involve a lot more critical thinking. Remember that the interviewers also have many prompts and the more questions they ask the more they get to know about you. Don't think of the interview in terms of "how many minutes do I need to talk" or "what do I need to say". The best advice anyone can give is to be yourself and be honest. Good luck!

Thanks! #jesustakethewheel on my interview date lol

[Edict]

I would talk for however long it takes to get your word across. Ask for feedback from friends and family. If you are known as a rambler then look for areas where you can cut, but if not, its better to talk naturally. 

[Butterfly_]

I'd gage by reading your interview's expressions and body language as well feeling the atmosphere. When I talk too much, I notice a change in the other person's body language. Depending on the person, they can become fidgety, lose eye contact, or sigh. Also, the atmosphere becomes awkward when one talks too long without receiving proper interest from the other side.

[NeuroD]

Depends on the story, the story teller, and the person listening. If you've got a good but complex story, you're engaging, and the person is in a god mood, a long answer is "rambling". But if you're taking 10 min to talk about something random, and the interviewer is tired...well then you're rambling to him/her and that's all that matters.

[PeterPatting]

Thanks everyone! 

I found @Butterfly_'s advice to be particularly helpful because as soon as I noticed a difference in their body language I quickly finished off my answer! (Usually I think it was a sign they wanted to give me their next question).