Interviewing Online Chapter

Characteristics of an Interview Defined: An interview is a goal-driven transaction and interviews are generally more goal-driven than other types of communication. Characterized by questions and answers Tend to be more structured than other types of communication. Generally controlled by an interviewer, who is responsible for moving the interview toward its intended goal.

Who Speaks & Who Listens? Interviews are unbalanced, with an interviewer typically speaking less than the interviewee.

Types of Interviews Interviews in the workplace include: Employment interviews Performance interviews Exit interviews Other interview types include: Information-gaining interviews Persuasive interviews Problem-solving interviews Helping interviews

Employment Interviews Pre-Interview Responsibilities Review job candidate’s application material Prepare a list of questions in advance Gather materials needed for the interview before the interviewee arrives Strive to begin the interview on schedule. Gather information about the organization, about the profession, and about his/herself Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer Practice the interview Convey credibility and professionalism through their personal appearance Arrive on time Bring materials Turn off cell phone Interviewer Interviewee

Beginning an Employment Interview Exchange greetings, introduce yourself, and establish proxemics. Address the interviewer using his or her last name and a formal or professional title. Initiate a professional handshake Convey respect for an interviewer’s space. Negotiate the relational connection and the tone of the interview. Establishing the purpose and the agenda

Question Types: Primary versus Secondary Primary questions introduce new topics Secondary questions are follow-up questions s an there are two main types: probing questions and mirror questions. Probing questions are brief statements or words that urge an interviewee to continue or to elaborate on a response. Mirror questions paraphrase an interviewee’s previous response to ensure clarification and to elicit elaboration.

Question Types: Open versus Closed Open questions are those that enable and prompt interviewees to answer in a wide range of responses. Three important functions of open questions: enable interviews to gather information about an interviewee enable an interviewer to assess the communication skills of an interviewee provide valuable insight in the worldview of an interviewee. Closed questions are those with limited available responses. Three important features of closed questions: They do not take up as much time as open questions They can be used to gather specific information about an interviewee The answers to closed questions make it easy to compare and contrast interviewees. Bipolar questions are a type of closed question that forces an interviewee to select one of two responses.

Question Types: Neutral versus Leading Neutral questions are those that provide an interviewee with no indication of a preferred way to respond. Leading questions are those that suggest to an interviewee a preferred way to respond.

Sequence of questions may fit three distinct patterns: A funnel sequence occurs when an interviewer begins with open, general questions and gradually moves to narrower, more closed questions. An inverted funnel sequence occurs when an interviewer begins with closed, specific questions and gradually moves to broader, more open questions. A tunnel sequence occurs when an interviewer asks only broad, open questions or only narrow, closed questions.

Directive and Nondirective Interviews Directive interviews are those which are greatly controlled by an interviewer. Nondirective interviews are those in which the direction of the interview is primarily given to the interviewee.

Illegal Questions potentially discriminatory questions should be avoided to prevent possible discrimination during the hiring process. Illegal questions reference areas that cannot be discussed with potential employees including age, marital/family status, ethnicity/national origin, religion, affiliations, and disabilities. Bona fide occupational qualifications - Otherwise illegal areas of questioning are allowed when jobs demand certain abilities or requirements, known as bona fide occupational qualifications.

Framing In the interview frame, one person generally asks a lot of questions and the other one answers them. How a person frames a situation often dictates what will happen. Self-fulfilling prophecy maintains that if someone believes a particular outcome will take place, his or her actions will often lead to its fruition. Optimal interview framing suggests that interviewee frame the interview less threateningly as an opportunity.

Learning from Successful and Unsuccessful Interviewees Clearly articulate career goals Refer to the organization and the interviewer Provide support for assertions Are more actively involved and spend more time talking Use active, concrete words, positive language, technical jargon associated with position, and good grammar Speak loudly and confidently, use vocal variety and avoid nonfluencies No clear career goals Tend to demonstrate little to no previous knowledge of an organization Tend to provide little evidence or support material when answering questions. Tend to be passive Use passive, ambiguous words, language with negative connotations, little or no technical jargon, and bad grammar. Tend to speak softly and provide little vocal variety, with their delivery often sounding monotone. Successful Interviewees: Unsuccessful Interviewees:

Common Questions Tell me a little about yourself. What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest weaknesses? What do you know about this organization? Why do you want to work here? What is your ideal job? Why do you want to leave your current job? What are your expectations in terms of salary? Where do you see yourself in five years? Why should we hire you?

Dealing With Illegal Questions If illegal questions are asked during the interview process, you may need to seriously question whether the position and the employer are right for you. Responses to Illegal Questions: You may respond to illegal questions with tactful refusal. You may respond to illegal questions with a direct but brief answer. You may respond to illegal questions with tactful inquiry. You may neutralize concern in response to illegal questions. You may exploit the question in response to illegal questions.

The Conclusion of an Interview Initiate the conclusion through a wrap-up signal. Provide a straightforward, relatively brief summary of the interview Ask the interviewee for any questions Provide the interviewee with information about what will happen next and the schedule for making decisions Offer sincere thanks for participation in the interview Formally end the interview Ask previously prepared questions Briefly summarize qualifications and enthusiasm for the position Inquire about a schedule of future contact and decision Express sincere thanks Follow the lead of the interviewer Interviewer Responsibilities Interviewee Responsibilities

Post-Interview Responsibilities Record their reaction to the interviewee along with any additional thoughts or information Assess his or her own performance in order to improve both personally and professionally Ensure that all interviewees are contacted about the final decision Develop a candid assessment of his or her performance, the position and the organization Send a letter of thanks following the interview Avoid irritating the interviewer by inquiring about the progress of a job search Interviewer Responsibilities: Interviewee Responsibilities:

Cover Letters: Purposes and Organization The cover letter is the tool used to get a potential employer to actually review your resume and it has four purposes: to declare interest in the position to provide a summary of qualifications to compel the person to read your resume to request an interview The cover letter has several key elements or features: Address the cover letter to a specific person. Identify the position for which you are applying in the first paragraph of the letter. Summarize the qualifications that make you an ideal fit for the position Reaffirm your interest in the position and request an interview Sign the letter in a professional and respectful manner. Purposes: Organization:

Resumes – Purpose and Key Elements The purpose of the resume is to present credentials in a clear and concise manner. There are several key elements of effective resumes: Use your full name and include contact information. Include your career objective in one or two sentences. List your degrees or training in reverse chronological order. Include your employment history and other relevant endeavors such as volunteer work if these endeavors are job or skill relevant. Include the skills which are most relevant to the position. Include those activities most relevant to the position.