Everyone has heard of interviews, whether they are for jobs or some other purpose. Interviews can be effective in helping to determine who the best candidate is for the job. Conducting an interview requires practice and insight on how to ask questions properly to get the correct information. Here are five tips for conducting effective interviews.
- Ask open-ended questions
For example, asking someone, “Did you like your job?” is too simple of a question. Instead, ask, “What did you like about your job?” This way, it is more likely that you will get an in-depth answer that can help you determine whether this person would be a good fit for the job.
- Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions
To determine whether or not someone is a good fit for your company, you have to know if they are honest and trustworthy. If you don’t push them, how can you expect them to give it their all? Be sure to ask follow-up questions if needed.
- Ensure they are following along with the interview
People can lose interest in an interview when certain questions are asked or if they do not feel like you are actively listening to them. Let your potential candidate know that you are interested in nodding, smiling, and asking follow-up questions. An easy way to do this is by summarizing what they have told you to ensure that you have been listening.
- Put applicant at ease
Sometimes interviewers can feel nervous going into an interview. You want them to be as comfortable as possible before they give you their answers so that they will be more honest with you. Don’t make your candidate wait too long before the interview begins, and give them a few minutes to relax before starting.
- Keep the interview concise
You do not want to spend too much time on each question. You will want to ask enough questions to get an idea of whether or not this person is likely to be accepted into your company, but you also don’t want to take up more time than necessary since most people have other things they need to get done during the day.