Interviewing Skills: Conducting an Interview

There are 3 steps to follow while conducting an Interview:

• Open the Interview (Put the candidate at ease)
  
• Gather Information (Ask questions & listen to responses)
  
• Close the Interview (Create a positive impression of your organization )

Opening an Interview

• While opening an interview, your purpose is to put both you and candidate at ease , and set the stage for an open conversation
  
• There are 3 steps you should complete when opening the interview:
  • Build rapport
  • State the agenda
  • Ask for acceptance

Gathering Information

• Gathering Information represents 70 to 80 percent of the interview
  
• There are 3 steps you should complete when gathering information from the interviewee:
  • Ask lead questions
  • Ask follow-up questions
  • Transition to the next subject

Closing an Interview

• The close of the interview is used to indicate to the candidate that the information-gathering portion is complete and the interview is about to wind down.
  
• Take the following 4 steps when closing an interview:
  • Ask for and answer questions
  • Promote the organization and the job
  • Outline next steps
  • Thank the candidate