Talent Acquisition & Interviewing Techniques – Do’s & Don’t – Part V

We have deliberated on interviewing process, its objective and types of interviews, Do’s & Don’t,  significance of cultural sensitization and body language so far. While doing an interview, it is also necessary that we have a fair idea about the Type of Questions as we all know sometimes questions are more important than answers. I have briefly touched upon them below.

The questions you ask candidates should be job-related. This is the single most important guideline to equal employment interviewing.

Remember at all times that employment decisions are not made on the basis of age; color; ancestry; race; ethnicity; “pedigree”; citizenship;disability; marital, parental or veteran status; religion; pregnancy or likelihood of pregnancy; physical or mental disability; sex or sexual orientation.

Open ended Questions:- - How - What - When - Where - Who – Why

Close ended Questions:- - Do you - Did you - Can you - Will you - Could you - Would you - Should you

Linking :-  Remembering something mentioned earlier and including in a current question

Prompting/ encouraging expressions:- Tell me…, Describe …For example?, For instance?, In what sense? How come?, In simpler terms...

An interviewer should ask questions that are linked to:

Experience

Previous employment patterns, role, industry etc. Growth in responsibility, Skill acquisition which has occurred, Customer focus, Delivery – actual vs. required, Learning, Major achievements, Experience

Education and Training

Schooling, College – quality of institute, discipline, Post graduate, Certifications, Training undergone – on the job or classroom Learning

Personal & Social details

Family background, Interests and hobbies, Work / life balance, Motivation, What interests them about the job and Company, Self perceptions about strengths and weaknesses

Aspirations

Career plans – long term / short term, Personal goals and aspirations

In my next post, I will touch upon on what constitutes Good interview questions and how do we go about asking them.