How to conduct an interview?

How to conduct an effective interview?

Introduction

The interview is the most widely used method of assessing job applicants. Without proper planning and preparation, you may find that at the end of the interview, you still have little idea about the candidate’s suitability for the job.

Shortlist the candidates that you want to interview and arrange them according to the time you’ve planned for each session. Allow enough time between interviews so that you can reconstruct the interview.

An interviewer should structure the interview questions according to the type of candidate he/she is looking for. Prepare questions that relate to the person specification that you will have already drawn up for the job. This profile will include a description of the knowledge, skills, experience, qualifications and personal qualities required. If, for example, you need someone who can work on their own initiative, ask for occasions on which they taken on responsibility. If you need someone with sales skills, ask about their experience in this area of work.

Background/demographics - standard background questions. Behaviors - about what a person has done or is doing. Opinions/values - about what a person thinks about a topic. Knowledge - to get facts about a topic. Feelings/ Sensory - to get the person’s feeling on a topic relating to their own  experience.

Review the candidate’s resume before the interview so that you don’t waste time on having the interviewee to repeat what was stated in the resume.

Currently, many companies are going through major restructuring and reorganization. As such, even if you take up a permanent job, it may not mean necessarily mean long-term employment with the company. On the other hand, a contract position may be even more secured as the cost to the employer is much lower.

Interview

Arrangement of Interview

Preparation for Interview

Types of questions ask

During Interview

Have a brief introduction on the purpose of the interview and get the candidate involved in the interview as quickly as possible.

What you really want to find out in an interview Can the person do the job? Will the person do the job? Will the person fit in? Is the person my best choice? Why?

Wording of Questions Questions should be asked one at a time. Wording should be open-ended. Questions should be as neutral as possible.

Lastly, allow the interviewee to provide any other information they prefer to add and their impression of the interview.

After Interview - Reconstruction Make remarks on any observations made during the interview. If possible list down the attributes of the candidate and compare it with those that you have interviewed.

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