Keep a Job Interview on Track

Like all conversations, an interview is subject to the possibility of getting off track. While that can sometimes be a good thing in casual conversation, an interview usually needs to be more structured to accomplish its goal. As the interviewer, it is your job to get all the information you need to pick the right candidate. By researching the applicant and planning a set of questions accordingly, you can be prepared to keep the interview on track.

Steps

Preparing for the Interview

  1. Research the applicants. Each candidate has their own history of employment and set of skills. While you'll definitely want to discuss some of this information in your interview, you also don't want to spend a lot of time going over information that you already have access to. Look over their resume, research the businesses that used to employ them, and call their references.[1]
  2. Prepare questions for the interview. Your questions should be concise and clear to avoid confusing the applicant and to ensure you get the type of answer you want. Refer to the candidate's history to tailor questions specific them. Have a list of follow up questions to go deeper depending on how the applicant answers the initial question.[2]
    • Really think about the types of things you want to know about the candidate. If you're a team oriented department, ask them if they prefer working with a team or alone.
    • Don't waste time on questions you don't care to know the answers to. If where they see themselves in 5 years isn't important to the job, then don't ask them.[3]
  3. Be prepared to answer the candidate's questions. A lot of times you'll be hiring for a job that you don't actually do. Learn as much as you can about the job. Be ready to talk about the policies and rules of the company, along with salary and benefits.[4]
  4. Create an agenda. Once you've come up with the questions you want to ask, you'll need to organize them into the order you want to ask them.[5] Help the candidate to warm up by asking more fact-based questions first before you ease into more controversial items like why they left their last job.[6]
  5. Reach out to the applicants before the interview day. In a short, friendly email, you can remind them of the date, time and location to avoid misunderstandings. Reiterate the job title they are applying for and let them know the names and titles of all the interviewers. It's even recommended that you advise them to have questions prepared for you. This will encourage the candidate to research the company and hopefully be better prepared for the interview.[7]

Conducting the Interview

  1. Choose a location with the least distractions. A conference room is ideal because it eliminates the possibility of incoming calls or interruptions that your office might have. If you don't have the option of using a conference room, make sure you silence your cell phone and let other co-workers know that you shouldn't be interrupted.[8]
  2. Offer refreshments or invite them to use the restroom before you begin. This will limit interruptions once the interview is under way.[9]
  3. Effectively describe the job. By accurately giving your definition of the job, you are helping the candidate know what kind of answers you'll be looking for. It leaves little doubt and allows the candidate to confidently answer your questions without veering off.[10]
    • Start by discussing the company as a whole, then move through who you are and onto why the company is hiring this position and why it is needed.[11]
  4. Set expectations for the interview. Describe the order of events, like what types of questions you'll be asking and when they will have the opportunity to ask you questions. Let them know how long you expect the interview to last. All of this will help the candidate to avoid going off track as well.[12]
    • Tell the candidate they will have the chance to provide any other information that wasn't covered in the questioning at the end of the interview. This will help them to stick to the questions you ask and avoid deviating in order to give you more information.[13]
    • You can be flexible about when the candidate asks you questions. If it helps to clarify their own answer or gives you more insight, then go with it.
  5. Stick to the script. You prepared a list of questions, so make sure you follow the outline. Ask each question one at a time and refer to the follow up questions listed for each one.[14]
  6. Answer their questions directly and concisely. Follow your own lead with how you answer their questions. Keep your answers limited to what they ask. If you don't know the answer, tell them you will get back to them after the interview. This will eliminate time spent searching for answers while they are in the interview room.[15]

Redirecting an Interview That's off Track

  1. Be encouraging. The candidate is most likely nervous and may draw a blank on a few questions. Follow up or repeat the question to help them along. Sometimes just a polite nod or “mhmm” will encourage the applicant to keep going. If they still seem to be struggling, wrap up that line of questioning and move on to the next.[16]
  2. Prevent rambling with follow up questions. If it feels like the candidate has veered off on a tangent and is getting away from the topic, a gentle nudge back in the right direction can do the trick. Ask them questions like, “And how did that make you feel professionally?” or “How did that experience lead to professional growth?” to get them back on track.[17]
  3. Ask more interesting questions to gather better insight. If you feel like you are nearing the end of the interview and you haven't gotten the information you wanted, ask a different set of questions. Sometimes, generic questions lead to generic answers. Consider thinking outside of the box.
    • Questions like, “What is something that you have professionally succeeded at, but you wouldn't want to repeat?” or “Who is the smartest person you know, and why?” could get your candidate to open up more than asking, “What are your strengths?”[18]
===Sample Interview, Questions, and Redirection Techniques===

Doc:Job Interview,Questions to Ask during Job Interview,Ways to Redirect an Off Track Interview

Related Articles

References

  1. ↑ https://managementhelp.org/businessresearch/interviews.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.bizbrain.org/intro-guide-to-interviewing-prospective-employees/
  3. ↑ http://hr.sparkhire.com/interviewing/how-to-keep-every-job-interview-on-the-right-track/
  4. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2017/04/28/the-right-way-to-interview-a-job-candidate/#2ff45751b70a
  5. ↑ [v161211_b01]. 25 May 2021.
  6. ↑ https://managementhelp.org/businessresearch/interviews.htm
  7. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2017/04/28/the-right-way-to-interview-a-job-candidate/2/#7f1395533ad5
  8. ↑ https://managementhelp.org/businessresearch/interviews.htm
  9. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2017/04/28/the-right-way-to-interview-a-job-candidate/#2ff45751b70a
  10. ↑ http://www.bizbrain.org/intro-guide-to-interviewing-prospective-employees/
  11. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2017/04/28/the-right-way-to-interview-a-job-candidate/#2ff45751b70a
  12. ↑ http://nectjobs.com/recruiting/how-to-interview-job-candidates/
  13. ↑ https://managementhelp.org/businessresearch/interviews.htm
  14. ↑ https://managementhelp.org/businessresearch/interviews.htm
  15. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2017/04/28/the-right-way-to-interview-a-job-candidate/#2ff45751b70a
  16. ↑ http://hr.sparkhire.com/interviewing/how-to-keep-every-job-interview-on-the-right-track/
  17. ↑ http://hr.sparkhire.com/interviewing/how-to-keep-every-job-interview-on-the-right-track/
  18. ↑ https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/great-interview-questions
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