While the applicant was having a job interview, I sat still in the next roo

Magic-dragon wrote:

I'd be happy if someone would answer my questions. Thanks in advance. Are the following 2 sentences correct? If so, what's the difference? A:  While the applicant was having a job interview, I sat still in the next room. B:  While the applicant had a job interview, I sat still in the next room.

In my opinion both sentences are correct.

In A While  introduces a time clause which  draws attention to the duration of the activities

In B while (whereas)  links two ideas that contrast with each other

Magic-dragon wrote:

－－Hi, Tarkowsky. In B, I meant to express the duration of the act of having a job interview.   So I'd like an explanation of the difference in this terms.   Is B awkward as a sentence expressing Duration?

If your intent was to stress the duration of  the action I would go for a continuous tense.Hence, A would be my choice.