We conduct interviews for many purposes, such as recruitment, accident investigation or market research, but the basic skills are the same. This practically focussed video outlines the ten essential skills to ensure you achieve your goals when conducting an interview.
The 10 Essential Interviewing Skills:
1. Prepare logistics
- Suitable time and place
- All documents (selection criteria, research questions)
- Source and confirm interviewees
2. Determine structure and questions
- Open vs. closed
- Inappropriate questions (leading, multifaceted, rambling,
- self-answered)
- Compliance with relevant legislation
- Behavioural questions
3. Build rapport
- Body language
- Greeting
- Small talk (caution in recruitment)
4. Outline structure and process
- Explain structure, purpose and expected length
- Time for interviewee's own questions
- Gain agreement to proceed
5. Encourage participation
- Use of silence - give the person space, time to think
- 80/20 rule
6. Establish facts
- Seek specifics
- Explore inconsistencies
- Discreet note-taking
7. Control the interview
- Time management - cover all questions
- Manage sidetracks
- Ensure all goals are met
8. Active listening
- Summarise and 'playback'
- Helps check your comprehension
- Helps keep the interview on track, on time
9. Make judgements
- Suspend first impressions
- Use all the interview information
- Avoid personal bias
- Gather additional information
10. Wrap up
- Explain what will happen next (keep promises)
- Offer feedback
- Thank person
