CHAPTER FIVE: CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS

Definitions
Interview: It refers to a formal meeting where someone is asked questions in order
to establish some issues related to them.

Non-verbal Communication techniques: These are gestures, tone of voice, facial

expressions, eye contact, posture, body language and any other ways that people
use to communicate without using language.

Communication Strategies in interview situations

A range of appropriate communication strategies (Establishing rapport, eliciting
facts and information, facilitating resolution of issues, developing action plans,
diffusing potentiallydifficult situations) are employed in interview situations.

There are several types of interviews i.e;

 Face-to-face interview i.e. between two or more people.
 Panel interview.
 Group interview.
 The case interviews.
 Telephone/Skype interview.
 Sequential interview.
 Lunch/Dinner interview.
 Competency based interviews.
 Formal/informal interview.
 Portfolio based interviews.
 Second interview.

Importance of interviews
 Helps in selecting the most suitable candidate or team.
 Helps in knowing a lot of details on the personality of the candidate.
 It gives the candidate a chance to know more about the job/course
applied for andthe organization.
 The interviewee and the interviewer get to know each other.
 Interviews are also helpful in promotions and transfers.
 Interviews increases goodwill.

Communication Strategies for interviews

i. Creating a rapport in an interview
Rapport refers to the connection between two people i.e. the spoken
and unspoken words that elicit the feeling of being on the same page.
 It is important in an interview since the immediate impression of a
person is very critical. It thus should be a priority to any interviewee.
A good rapport creates more similarities and minimizes the differences.

Tips to developing a rapport;

 Smile.
 Establish and maintain eye contact.
 Deliver sincere greeting.
 Use the person’s name (interviewer’s name).
 Listen more and talk less.
 Check on your/mind your body postures.
NOTE: In developing rapport always remember that the first impression counts.
Take a genuine interest in the interviewer, organization and the job. Remember to
match the interviewer’s style in language and talk.

ii. Eliciting information and facts in interviews

 Getting information and facts is the main idea behind interviews.
 Interviewers need to use the questions, language and means to get the
rightinformation and they should avoid sarcasm or obscure humor.
 Through use of questions, interviewers get the information they want
and as wellguide the interview along productive lines.
 Leading questions should also be avoided as they are not effective.
 Double negative type of interrogation should be avoided as well.
 In order to get the required information, interviews should be
conversational and not confrontational. Thus, interviews should be
welcomed positively.
 Careful reviewing of the interviewee’s resume helps to know more
about him/her. This helps in getting important information that can be
explained further by the interviewer.
 As soon as the interview begins, it is prudent to explain the interview
process [Link] will allow the interviewee to know what is expected
of him/her.

iii. Developing interview action plans

Interview action plans are beneficial and can help throughout the interview process.
It needsto be carried out before any interview in preparation of the interview at
hand. Interview action plans are beneficial as they give the interviewee chance to
prepare for questions, look into the organization and sell themselves in the best
way possible. Interview action plans require;
 Preparation for common questions (general questions).
 Researching into the company.
 Researching into the industry.
  Selling oneself.
 Revealing one’s network.
 Prepare for any concerns i.e. if you anticipate any concerns.
 Prepare for the gist i.e. why you want the job/course/opportunity.
 Prepare for, “Any questions?” part of the interview.
 Close on a positive note i.e. to make the interview memorable.

NOTE: In interviews, non-verbal communication cues matter a lot. In addition

to the spoken words, both the interviewer and the interviewee need to take
charge of them and actappropriately. They include;
 Eye contact.
 Confident handshake if possible.
 Effective gestures.
 Authoritative facial expressions.
 Appropriate facial expressions.
 Initiating interactions.
 Voice tones.
 Giving full attention.
 Response to other’s non-verbal cues.

Records of interviews are made and maintained in accordance with

organizationalprocedures
It is necessary to document and keep the interview records. This should be done
accurately and carefully in accordance with the organizational procedures.
Maintaining interview records is important as it gives chance for follow-up on the
employee even after he/she hasbeen absorbed in the organization. It also gives
chance for production should their recordsbe required for exhibits.

Effective questioning, listening and non-verbal communication techniques

are used to ensure that required message is communicated
In conducting interviews, questioning techniques is key. Interviewees answer
questions that they are asked; therefore, should an interviewer ask a wrong
question, he/she will get a wrong answer. Asking the right questions during an
interview is at the core of eliciting factsand information required by the interviewer.

Tips to use in questioning during an interview.

 Use open ended questions in finding more details, opinions and
developingconversations.
 Closed questions are good in frame setting, testing understanding
and makingconditions.
 Funnel questions should be used in finding more details about a
specific point orwhen gaining interest in an issue.
 Use probing questions to gain clarifications and draw information.
  Leading questions should be used with care because they don’t elicit
muchinformation.

NOTE: Listening during an interview is just as important as answering questions.

Withoutbeing attentive, it is possible not to give the best response or not to get the
question right. Listening skills are also very essential in building a rapport between
the interviewee and the interviewer.
Tips to use in listening during an interview
 Listen to the hidden question.
 Listen to the actual question i.e. the actual thing being asked.
 Ask for more information i.e. when you actively listen, you will know
when to askfor more information.
 Listen in order to get interviewer’s/interviewee’s attention.

Non-verbal communication plays a big role during interviews. This non-verbal

communication matters as soon as one walks into the interview room and are
sometimes even more important than verbal communication.

Tips to use in non-verbal communication during an interview

 Make/maintain eye contacts with the interviewer.
 Smile and nod appropriately. Do not overdo it.
 Listen.
 Be polite and stay calm.
 Use appropriate facial expressions.
 Initiate interactions if possible.
 Use of voice i.e. be audible enough.
 Give full attention to the interviewer.
 Sit upright, do not lean back.

Further Reading

Gyrfaoedd Aber Careers (2014) All about interviews. Aberystwyth University

[Link]/careers
Self-Assessment

Written assessment
1. Which of the following is not a non-verbal communication for interview?
a) Clapping
b) Maintaining eye contact
c) Listening attentively
 d) Smiling and nodding appropriately
2. Which among the following is not a type of interview?
a) Face-to-face interview
b) Panel interview
c) Text interview
d) Telephone interview
3. Why are interviews important for job opportunities?
a) Increase goodwill.
b) Both interviewee and interviewer get to know each other well.
c) Chance to know more about the personality of the interviewee.
d) All of the above.
4. One of the following practices is not appropriate during interviews. Which one?
a) Asking for Clarification
b) Recording interviews
c) Perusing through your documents
d) Listening keenly
5. Which of these is required by an interviewee before an interview?
a) Researching into the company
b) Researching into the industry
c) Preparing for any anticipated question
d) All of the above
6. Which of this type of question is not recommended for interviews?
a) Leading questions
b) Probing questions
c) Close questions
d) Open questions
7. Listening in an interview entail?
a) Listening to the hidden questions
b) Listening to the actual question
c) Asking for clarification
d) All of the above

8. What is an interview?
9. Give two reasons for conducting an interview.
10. Give three examples of non-verbal communication skills for interviews.
11. Briefly explain how you will develop a rapport during an interview.
12. Name any one thing that an interviewee should not do during an interview.

Oral Assessment
1. What are non-verbal communication cues?
2. How will you use listening as a skill during interview?

Practical Assessment
 1. You have been invited for an interview. Briefly demonstrate how you
will preparefor it.
2. As the human resource manager of Dalap investment, elaborate how
you will getthe required information/facts from your interviews.
3. As one of the candidates for an advertised post, you are required
to develop arapport. Elaborate how you will develop a rapport with
your interviewer.

Tools, Equipment, Supplies and Materials

 Desktop computers/laptops
 Internet Connection
 Projectors
 Telephone

References

Abhinow K. (2002) 15 Tips on how to nail a Face-to Face interview.

[Link]/blog/careers/
Dipboye, R. [Link] (2012). The selection interview from the interviewer and applicant
perspectives: Can’t have one without the other. New York City: Oxford University.