Effective Interviewing Skills

How do we go for a company? How do we analyze if a company is worth working for? The probable answers are.. ‘Heard a good deal about it’, ‘My friend recommends’. Oh yes but what if instead of all positive feedback your first interview with them sucks? That poor note on your mind is a real decider. Whatsoever the credit of that Impression goes to the interviewers!!

So we know how important is a interview process for a company, not only in terms of selecting right resource but also in spreading the brand image of that organization.

There are various and lengthy process and tricks for successful interview taking. I would try to cover some of the important aspects and methods while taking interviews.
Below is the famous interviewing funnel:~

Before taking interview the best practice is to follow a standard practice and master in it thus a unique practice is followed across the organization. Always remember that the interview process for a candidate starts when he enters in to your premises, so be welcoming and make him comfortable. Below are some dos and don’ts.

Some Guidelines:
1) Stick to Roles.

2) Do not interrupt.

3) In case of panel interview do not cross talk.

4) Do not help the Candidate.

5) Select Lead Interviewer.

6) The others listen, take notes, and ask questions on the area which is not covered but relevant.

7) Prepare well and create co-ordination among the interviewers.

8) Follow up at end of the section.

9) Always brief about the length of interview and etc. before you start.

Below are some techniques noted down:Questioning Techniques.

1) Situation.

2) Task.

3) Achievement.

4) Review.

Questioning Pattern:

A complete interview should try to cover most of the below points:

1) Achievement.

2) Personality.

3) Attitude.

4) IQ.

5) Interest.

6) Aptitude. (Technical)

Depending upon the role and job description appropriate stress has to be given on the above points.
Remember the beauty of the interviewing skill lies with the interviewer. He should drive the candidate the way he wants.

All six points’ (Achievement, Personality, Attitude, IQ, Interest, Aptitude (Technical)) needs to be covered and questions should be prepared before the interview starts. For each point questioning pattern should be followed.

The main aim is to see the consistency of the answers through all steps. If any of the answer is not convincing do not leave the candidate or assume that candidate does not know further, it is advised to probe probe and probe further. This would narrow down relevant information which an interviewer wants from the candidate.

While doing the interview using the questioning pattern we should try to find the facts by pointing out the points of Questioning Techniques.

Even if we follow the Questioning Pattern and we see that any of ‘Situations’, ‘Task’, ‘Achievement, ‘Review’ is missing than most probably than not the candidate is not giving correct facts. A strong interview should know that questioning pattern is a flow questioning technique is a tool for validation by which we validate human qualities like ‘Attitude’, ‘Technical Skills’ etc. One should know that emotional quotient is the main driving factor for most of us even if there are some areas where the candidate is not strong enough still if the motivation is right and emotional quotient is correct the candidate may be the best candidate in the world.
Many of us may question why we should follow the above technique.This helps better co-ordination. This technique assures even if the interviewer is taking interview of a candidate with different skill sets still he could be actively involved and take a fantastic interview.

Grading:

Let’s call the execution of a full questioning pattern as a flow. While executing a flow we should see whether we can get all points of questioning techniques in this flow. If answer is yes than candidate should be awarded a highest grade.

For each different areas like ‘Achievement’, ‘Technical skill’, ‘Team Work’ etc one or more flow should be executed.

At the end please remember, that if the interview is not fruitful that we need to ponder and ask ourselves that if we have asked right question!!!