The document summarizes an interview conducted with a candidate named Christina. During the interview, Christina was asked questions about her preferences for working environments, how she learns best, influences on her personality development, self-monitoring of attitude, motivations, and role of identity factors. The interviewer found focusing on personality gave good insight. They would bring Christina back for a second interview to ask more position-related questions.

1. Running head: INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES 1
Interview Techniques
Cody R. Leake
HRDV 3305
March 8th, 2014
Dr. Yarbrough, J

2. INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES 2
Interview Techniques
The first question I asked Christina was if she prefers working in an office, or at home
where there are background noises and distractions. She began answering by saying that even
though working at home presents major distractions which include loud television containing
near constant sport programming and a two and half old little boy she definitely prefers to work
at home. Christina replied that she would much rather enjoy the comfort of her own home as well
as the convenience of not having to leave the house. Next I asked Christina if she remembers
information more accurately if she observes the behavior being performed or does she prefers to
read how the behavior is performed. She responded by stating that without a doubt she would
rather observe the behavior being performed. She said that she prefers to watch how a specific
task is performed so that it allows her to paint her own mental pictures. When I asked her why it
was important for her to be able to observe rather than read she explained that it was important
that she avoids making mistakes. Christina said that by having the ability to watch the tasks
performed it would decrease the amount of mistakes she could make in the future. The next
question I asked Christina was which experiences she thinks contributed most in the
development of her personality. She began by speaking about a mental disorder that her mom has
struggled with her whole life. Her mother is a clinically diagnosed manic-depressive. Due to the
frustrating nature of her disorder, Christina would have a hard time not only relating to her
mother but getting along with her as well. After the divorce of her parents and at age 15
Christina made the decision to move in with her grandparents. She contributes her initial path to
success to the aid of her grandparents. She also expressed that having to rely on herself at an
early age as well as make adult decisions lead to her ultimate decision of joining the Army
reserves. She made it very clear that this decision propelled her into the driven, independent,

3. INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES 3
successful woman she has become. The next question I asked was if she felt she was self-
monitoring in regards to her attitude. She replied yes, that it is important that she takes the time
to think about things before she answers. When I asked her why this was important to her, she
said that it allows her to show herself in a positive light to avoid negative reactions from her
peers. Next I asked Christina what she feels has had the strongest influence on her attitude. She
said that with her being independent and self-motivated at an early age has aided her in
successfully being able to rely on herself. She also explained that living with her grandparents
gave her the opportunity to learn from her granddad who she considers the ultimate father-figure.
I also asked her what role a person’s race, gender, or ethnicity play when forming that person’s
personality or attitude. She relied that a person’s environment that they grow-up in has
everything to do with the formation of an individual’s personality and or attitude. Lastly I asked
Christina if she felt that she is better at tasks when intrinsically motivated or extrinsically
motivated. She said that she is more motivated by intrinsically motivating tasks because she
doesn’t have to worry about trying to impress someone with the results. She said that she has
always been a self-motivated introspective person.
I took a different approach to the interview process and focused purely on personality. I
find that this really gives you a clear view of what the person is about and where they come
from. I actually really enjoy the interview process. I spent three years recruiting for the Marine
Corps. This job is what has led me to want to pursue this avenue as a career. The interview was
not difficult to conduct as a whole. The only thing I had to do was to ensure that I was listening
with a purpose, and probing for clarification when I was not completely clear on an answer that
was given. There are always more questions that you wish you would have asked. One question I
would have asked if I could go back would be why I should hire her over all the other candidates.

4. INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES 4
There were not any lingering questions after meeting the candidate. I would definitely bring back
this candidate for a second interview in order to focus more on position related questions in order
to ensure that the applicant is the whole employee.