How to improve your Interviewing Techniques....in one evening!

Interview techniques

A successful interview consists not only of well prepared questions but also good interviewing techniques. 

A good interviewer is one who stays relaxed and is an interested listener. 

Interview techniques can also help you structure your interviews to find the best employees.

First -- a quick summary of what you should do - and shouldn't do! 

1. Ask brief open- ended questions.
   
2. Ask only one question at a time.
   
3. Don't be afraid of silence. Give the candidate  time to gather his/her thoughts.
   
4. Don't worry if you fumble a question. It will help the candidate  feel more comfortable with their own mistakes.
   
5. Never interrupt with a question. Instead write it down on a notepad for later.
   
6. Try to keep the interviewee on the topic.
   
7. Always be fully prepared. Develop a simple outline that covers general job duties.
   
8. Always prepare all your questions in advance. During the interview you NEED to be paying ATTENTION  to what each candidate is saying, not lost in your mind trying to come up with  clever questions to ask.
   
9. Ask plenty of  behavioral based interview questions include to get a more accurate picture of the candidate's potential.
   
10. Never ask an illegal Question - so know which questions you can and can't ask 
    

Prepare in advance 

By failing to prepare,
you are preparing to fail.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) 

The interviewer with the best technique have a secret. They prepare well in advance.

Prior to the interview, make sure you understand the key elements of the position you are looking to fill. Develop a simple outline that covers general job duties. Screen the resumes and application to gain information for the interview. Standardize and prepare the questions you will ask each applicant. In a nutshell: Do your homework.

Use a structure 

The best interview follows a structured process. This doesn't mean that the entire process is inflexible without spontaneity. What it means that each applicant is asked the same questions and is scored with a consistent rating process. A structured approach helps avoid bias and gives all applicants a fair chance. The best ways to accomplish this is by using behavioral based questions and situational questions. 

The Magic of Good Questions

'Chance favors the prepared mind'.
Louis Pasteur

The essence of a good interview technique is to have great questions to ask.
 
Also prepare your questions in advance of the interview and know what information you are looking to seek from the interviewee. 

For example, note the questions that come to mind when reviewing the resume. However do not read your questions off a sheet of paper during the interview.

Proper interview answers can help you determine the abilities of the potential new employee. Try to find previous experiences where the interviewee showed initiatives which may help your company succeed.

Other questions maybe geared towards determining behavioral competencies of the interviewee. They can be direct and to the point: 

What are your weaknesses?

What are your strengths? 

Or they can be based on previous experience: 

What was the most difficult task you faced in college and how did you accomplish it?

Give me some examples of goals you have set for yourself and that you have accomplished.

Use behavioral based interview questions

Behavior-based interviewing is an approach that looks at past behavior as the best predictor of future performance.

For example, rather than asking, "What would you do if ..." one should ask, 'Tell me about a time when you.....

In behavior-based interviewing, you want to find out how people ACTUALLY behave rather than their promise of how they will behave.

Remember: Just because people can give good answers and sound impressive -- it doesn't mean they can DO what they SAY. 

Examples of behavioral based interview questions include:

• Give me an example when you . . .
• Describe an incident where you went over and beyond the call of duty . . .
• Tell me about the time you reached out for additional responsibility . . .
• Tell me about the largest project you worked on

 (To create thousands of instant behavior-based questions specific for your interview this week - click here)

Let them ask Questions --too! 

Be sure to ask periodically or at the end of the interview if the interviewee has any questions. Their questions can let you judge the amount of interest an employee has in your company.

Illegal Questions 

Having a good interview technique also means knowing what questions you can and can't ask. Find out what the illegal interview questions are beforehand so that you can avoid them. This way you can avoid being discriminatory and avoid potential law suits.

You're selling too!

Remember that selling is not just the interviewee’s task. Your interview techniques should take into account that you have to sell your company and the job position. Tell them information about your company during your interviews. Inform them about the culture of the company and the job responsibilities so that the interviewee can decide if he wants to work there. 

Remember not only are you trying to determine the best applicant, but you also have to convince the applicant that this is the best place for them to work. Today's workers have many more choices and job opportunities to choose from.

copyright 2005 interview Questions