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Prepare copies of the interview guide to use with each applicant you expect to consider. You will take notes and assign scores on the interview guides. Interview Setting Your interviews should be conducted in private, away from ringing telephones and other interruptions. Be sure the setting is accessable to the disabled. The surroundings should be comfortable but businesslike. Try to put the applicant at ease before you begin the interview. Be open and comfortable with the applicant and he/she will respond in kind. Note taking Tell the applicant that you
are taking notes because you need to recall his/her responses accurately.
Some interviewers do not write their notes until after the interview. New
research indicates that evaluations are more accurate when they are based on
notes that are taken immediately after the applicant responds. Be brief and unobtrusive in your note taking. Score each competency as you go. Research has proven that immediate scoring is the most accurate technique. Go over your notes after the interview and fill in any gaps while everything is still fresh in your mind.
Delivery of questions Ask the questions to
the applicant...don't read them. With a little practice, you should be
able to glance at the Guide and then look directly at the applicant while you
repeat the question. Acknowledge the applicant's responses with positive comments or gestures such as nodding your head affirmatively. This will encourage open response to future questions by subtly "rewarding" complete and revealing responses. Let the applicant do the talking. One advantage of the structured approach is that the interviewer is discouraged from doing a lot of talking. Talking too much is one of the most common mistakes made by interviewers. Probing for more response When an applicant is not
totally responsive to your question, use probing questions to elicit
additional response. Have a few questions of this type in mind before you
start interviewing. If a response is inadequate, you might say "Would
you clarify that for me please?" or "Tell me more about that."
Your probing questions should be convincing. Make the applicant believe that
you are truly interested in what he/she is saying. The questions in your guide are designed to discover certain information about the applicant. It will be up to you to assure that you do get that information. Skillful use of probing questions will improve your results.
Control of the interview Don't dwell too long on any one question. If the applicant carries on too long, politely interrupt with a comment like "I think I understand." Conversely, do not react too quickly to applicant silence. Once you have asked the question, it is the applicant's turn to respond. Wait for that response, even when it takes the applicant a minute or two to come up with it. Move through the questions at a reasonable pace and try to set time limits on your interviews.
At the end of the interview, thank the applicant and let him/her know when to expect to hear from you. Be aware that employers are notorious for responding late to applicants. This causes unnecessary ill will and telephone calls from applicants wanting to know their status. Make a follow-up schedule and stick to it! Opening screen |