This presentation covers some of the strategies to conduct effect interviews be it a job interview or an appraisal discussion or a special assignment discussion. It explains various aspect involved for planning, preparation, analyzing and concluding interviews in effective manner.

1. Conducting Effective Interviews
Strategies of Effective Interviewing
- By Suresh Patidar

2. Agenda
• What is Interviewing?
• Engagement in Interviewing
• Key Constraints
• What is an effective Interview?
• Research Findings
• Planning and Preparation
• Building the Rapport
• Questions and Questioning techniques
• Guiding the conversation
• Analyzing data
• Concluding the Meeting & Follow Up
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3. What is
interviewing?
“Interviewing is the process whereby individuals (usually
two) exchange information.”
Individual may be concerned with:
• A Job Opening
• A Promotion
• A Special Assignment
• A Product Sale
• A Proposed Merger
• Or other questions
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4. Engagement in
Interviewing
Individuals Involved
• Executives engaged in normal conduct of Business
• Managers
• HR and Recruiters
• Technical Panel
• Sales Personnel
• Team Members and Job Seekers
• many more…
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5. Key Constraints
• Sense of Urgency
• Limited time
• Guided Interviews in majority of situations
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6. Effective Interview
An effective interview is one that optimizes the perceived
communication objectives of the individuals involved, with
time as principal constraints.
It requires:
• The proper kind of preparation for the interview
• Outline of points to be covered and taking notes
• Use of questions and questioning techniques
• Understanding of the kind and amount of control to be exercised over the
discussions
• Analysis and evaluation of the information obtained
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7. Research
Findings
for Effective Interviews

8. Planning and Preparation
• Set and communicate clear expectations
• Avoid over planning and detailing
• Know the person you are interviewing
• Create a general structure for the process
• Outline the points to be covered
• Prepare must-ask questions
• Understand and Use STAR interview process
• Situation – Describe the situation
• Task – What goal the candidate was working towards
• Action – Actions taken to complete task
• Result – Outcome of the action and learning
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9. Building the Rapport
• Set tone of helpfulness and friendliness
• Avoid districting interruptions
• Put interviewee at ease
• Have allowance for adjustment to environment
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10. Use of Questions and Questioning
Techniques
• Questions are the tools for obtaining information
• Avoid Sarcasm or obscure humor
• Clarify your objective
• Don’t talk too much (just about 20-30% of total time)
• Start with broad general questions
• Listen intently
• Stay focused
• Watch non-verbal signs
• Avoid questions with build-in response
• Review questioning technique from time to time
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11. Use of Questions and Questioning
Techniques (cont...)
Questioning Techniques:
• Open Questions
• Closed Questions
• Probing Questions
• Funnel Questions
• Leading Questions
• Clarifying Questions
• Recall Questions
• Contingency Questions
• Process Questions
• Hypothetical Questions
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Avoid Questions on:
• Age
• Ethnic Origin/Race
• Religion/Political Beliefs
• Disabilities

12. Guiding the conversation
• Use reactions to steer the conversations
• Repeat phrases already expresses
• Support by nodding or semi verbal expressions like “Umm…”
• Overcome the fear of silence
• Master the art of listening
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13. Analysing the Data
• Objective
• Content – What is actually being said and whether or not it is reliable
• Form – How , When and Why
• Verbal
• Non-Verbal
• Subjective
• Feelings
• Attitude
Other Points to consider
• Define and use consistent scoring for ranking
• Use your outlined points and notes for evaluation
• Use whole discussion to evaluate each criteria
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14. Concluding the Meeting & Follow-Up
• Last 10% of time is most important
• Avoid premature termination of discussion
• Allow the interviewee to ask questions
• Share a plan of action with clear and concise summary
• Document just what occurred in talks
• Significant events
• Impressions
• Agreed-on Information
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