Politics in Interviews
When the topic of politics comes up in an interview, you never quite know how it's going to go. Even if you are members of the same political party, there are so many individual belief systems that make up each facet of politics you can still offend your interviewer. Unless the job is actually in politics, there is no place for politics in a job interview.
Never broach the topic
Certain topics should wave a red flag in the back of your mind during your interview. These topics include politics and religion, first and foremost. Resist the temptation to broach the subject of politics even if the interviewer brings up a related topic. Bite your tongue, smile and discuss another topic.
Dodging the question
If you find yourself in the difficult position where an interviewer wants to discuss politics you need to escape this topic as soon as possible. When the topic comes up, simply smile at your interviewer and say, "I've found it best never to discuss politics." The focus of a job interview should be centered around determining whether or not you are the best candidate for the position, not which political party you contribute to.
Problems
You never know who you are going to offend when politics come up. It is very rare that you will find someone who agrees with every one of your beliefs. Even if you are both members of the same political party you may not agree on every political issue. If one of you is more informed on the topic than the other, it can also create an uncomfortable position. Some people feel very strongly about controversial topics and can get pretty heated over them. You don’t want to lose this position because the hiring manager has been having an argument with their brother over this same issue for the past ten years.
Mitigating the situation
If you really want this job, reading the body language of your interviewer could very well make or break your chances. Watch every facial expression and every body movement to determine the comfort level or your interviewer as well as their pleasure or displeasure with the way the conversation is going. Always try to direct the conversation back to your qualifications for the position.
And remember, if the interviewer is not talking more than you are, the interview is not going as well as you think it is.
