Asking the hiring manager may not be the best approach—Other obligations often don’t allow hiring managers extra time to address job seeker concerns.

Here are a few potential issues you may not have considered:

Mistaking friendliness with friendship. If your interviewer has a friendly, conversational tone, it may just be good manners. The interviewer may also be allowing you to warm up and ease into the interview. (Everyone knows interviews aren’t easy.)

Do not confide to the interviewer. If you do, you may end up disclosing something negative about your former company, which won’t help you earn a good place in the interviewer’s memory.

If you really want to make a genuine connection with the interviewer, make sure to maintain a professional image at all times, and avoid revealing more than you intend to.

Mismatched abilities with the job description. Are you confident you’re the best person for the job? Withpotential hundreds of applicants vying for the same position, you must have an edge to get the attention of the hiring manager.

Don’t allow assumptions to rule your thinking. Do as much research as you can to find out exactly what the job requires before filling out an application. You need to know if you’re a good match for the position.

Not understanding the question. Don’t grow irritated if the interviewer is asking you something about your experience that’s clearly stated in your resume. Take the question as a test of your communication skills.

When you get a question like this (or any interview question, for that matter), make sure that you strive to get your point across clearly, without any exaggeration. Always have proof or evidence to back your words.

It’s normal to make mistakes during interviews, especially if nerves take over. With the right amount of research, patience and practice, your confidence will grow, and every interview should become a little easier.