Chapter Six: Principles of Interviewing

By: Nguyen Doan, Hector Robles

Planning the Interview -Hector• A successful interview begins before the parties face each other.

Interviewer or the respondent doing background work can mean the difference between success and failure.

Define the goal -Hector• Your goal should simply be to get information from a patient or is it to

build a long-term relationship of trust (Medical setting).• Example: • Vague: Represent myself well on the job interview.• Better: Describe my relevant work experience and explain my it for

the position.• Best: Persuade interviewer I am the best candidate for the position.

Identify and Analyze the Other Party -Hector• Knowing who you will interview you or who is going to interview you

is more useful and successful. (The interviewer and the interviewee)• Like Mr. Norman said you can do some background information by

going on Facebook, etc

Prepare a List of Topics -Hector• A list of topics will help you get all the information you need to

accomplish your goal.• Example: You want to present well in the interview, you have to list

topics, such as: past work experience, knowledge you have, and how well you interact to people.

Choose the Best Interview Structure -Hector• There are 3 types of interview structures: • Structured interview are preferable when the goal is to get

standardized responses from a large number of people. (Retail)• Unstructured interview allow considerable flexibility about the

amount of time they take and the nature of the questioning. They permit the conversation to flow in whatever direction seems most productive.• Moderately structured interview is reparable, it is well suited for most

situations because they provide measures of both control and spontaneity.

Consider Possible Questions -Hector• The type and quality of questions asked are likely to be the biggest

factor in determining the success or failure of an interview.

Arrange the Setting -Hector• Can have a great deal of influence on the results.• Without a barrier: you’re more relaxed, you’re able to provide trust

with one another. • With barrier: It’s free from distraction. (It’s away from each person

normal habitat)

Conducting the interview -Hector• It consists of three stages: An opening (Introduction), a body, and a

closing.

Opening• A good introduction can shape the entire interview.• The first minute is all-important in an interview. 50% of the decision is

made within the first 30 to 60 seconds. 25% of the evaluation is made during the first 15 minutes. And it’s very difficult to recover the last 25% if you’ve blown the first couple of minutes.• A good opening contains 2 parts: A greeting and an orientation.

Greeting and Building Relationship• If the interviewer and the interviewee are comfortable with each

other at building relationship, the results are likely to be better for both.

Orientation • Explain the reason for the interview.• Explain what information is needed and how it will be used.• Clarify any ground rules. Which to make sure you and the interviewee

understand any operating procedures. For Example: I’d like to record our conversation instead of taking notes.• Mention the approximate length of the interview. That would gives

the interviewee more comfortable and give better answers.

Motivation• It is also a time for motivating the interviewee to giving a sense of

what will follow.• Give interviewees a reason that will make them feel the interview is

worthwhile for them.

Body• This is where the questions and answers are exchanged.

Responsibilities of the Interviewer• It is the interviewer’s job to Control and focus on the conversation.• And you might want to listen carefully to the respondent. It’s a

multitasking, you answer questions, you take notes, you keep eye contact, and you budget time. • Also use secondary questions to probe for important information, in

order to get what you are asking for.

The Interviewee’s Role • If you are the interviewee, who is being interview; you gotta listen

actively and give clear, detailed answers.• Answer the question the interviewer has asked.• Correct any misunderstandings to be sure the message given has

been received accurately. • Cover your own agenda - If you will be competing against people with

more direct experience than you, devoting time to developing your agenda is critical. Your work ethic, enthusiasm, or networking skills.

Closing• A good closing will bring the conversation to a satisfactory conclusion.• You have to: • Review and Clarify the Results of the Interview• Establish Future Actions• Conclude with pleasantries, you can express appreciation or concern

like “I appreciate the time you’ve given me today.”

The Information-Gathering Interview -Hector• Interview someone such as an executive, who has information that

can help you out.• Many business people owe their success in great part to the lessons

they learned information-gathering interviews.

View Information-Gathering as a Process -Hector• First answer questions you have about what your curios about. once

you’ve collected the necessary background information, you can use this knowledge to plan an intelligent approach to your second round of interviews. (Such as your ultimate target)

Defined Interview Goals and Questions -Hector • Your goal ought to be as specific as possible and worded in a way that

will tell you whether you have the answers you were seeking.• After you identified your goal, you can develop questions that will

help you achieve it.

Choose the Right Interviewee -Hector• Choose the right person to interview for when you are interviewed

yourself, you have a good insight, and you know how to approach the subject that you are going to be talking about.• Consult with the right sources before going into an interview

Alright, the picture• Would you rather go to the doctor on the right or the doctor on the

left? • So as an interviewer, we don’t judge others by just looking at them.

But we judge in the inside out.

The Career Research Interview• So this section is mostly about perspective of the interview, either the

interviewer or the interviewee. • Help you define and achieve your career goals, and speaking with the

right people can give you valuable ideas.

The Value of Personal Contacts• You are most likely to get the job with personal contact that you build

by networking, rather than searching for employment from the web based employment site.• In order to make personal contact, you have to conduct research to

help you learn more about the field and organization.• You have to make sure to be remembered for them could inform you

of employment opportunities.• You also have to gain referrals, and by gaining referrals, it can lead to

meetings with more useful contacts.

Choosing Interviewees• Contacts who can let you know about job opportunities and pass

along your name to potential employers.• Friends of yours could possibly be these contacts.

Contacting Prospective Interviewees• The most professional way is by a nice stated email, that gets your

interviewee thinks you are professional. • Telephone call may run the risk of not getting through; because you

might call the interviewee at inappropriate time; or you are not able to reach them.

Following Up• After the meeting, thanks for the interviewee’s time and mention how

helpful the information was. • You might want to provide the information to your interviewee, so

that they can be able to contact you.

The Employment Interview -Hector• Explores how well a candidate might fit a job.• Having the right job are considerable, a frustrating job not only makes

for unhappiness at work, but it can leaking into nonworking hours as well.• Employers identified the ability to communicate effectively is more

important in shaping a hiring decision than grade-point average, work experience, extracurricular activities, or appearance.

Clean up your online identity• 70% of recruiters, which are the hiring managers in the US have

rejected candidates because of information they found line that are inappropriate.• It can be a challenge for those who has a lot of social media accounts

and posted a bunch of weird things, but by doing so, is well worth the effort.

Conduct background research • Your knowledge of a company will distinguish you as a candidate

worth considering for a job. • It’s really negative for interviewee walks in, and doesn’t know

anything about the company.

Contact potential employers• Let the organization know about your interest by using a cover letter

and a copy of your resume.• Cover letters should be clear and to the point;• In the first paragraph, introduce yourself to the reader, and mention

any mutual acquaintances.• In the next paragraph, indicate benefits to the job. Don’t just say you

can help the organization: But Offer some objective evidence that backs up your claim.• In the closing paragraph, any information about limits on your

availability. Finally, close with a cordial expression of gratitude.

Prepare for possible interview formats• Know that there's more than just the usual face to face format as well as

the question and answer format• Other formats such as the panel interview format consist of several

people questioning the interviewee. In you’re advantage the panel format lets you know who you may work with.• There’s also the stress interview, which is used to see how you’re able to

function under pressure.• Audition interview requires you to show off your skills that will benefit

the company.• Behavioral interview, where interviewers explore your past

accomplishments, they will assume on that, and will reflect it on your future performance

Think constructivelyThe upcoming interview can affect how you feel and act during session.Anxious students avoided thinking about an interview in advance, so they dwelled on negative self-talk. Such as “ OH, I don’t know why I’m doing this.”But students with anxiety-free thought it more productive ways. “ I’ll do a lot better if I prepare.”

Dress appropriately and act professionally• Knowing what to wear in what job interview is important, such as,

you’re interview for a job in the business industry, you would want to wear a nice suit.• Personal hygiene and cleanliness is important as well. • You might want to arrive 5-10 minutes early.• Be polite to everyone, when introduced, shake hand firmly, smile and

make eye contact. • Then take your lead from the interviewer.

Anticipate key questions. -Hector• Anticipate key questions• The questions that you should anticipate are the one that involves in

Educational background, such as, does the candidate possess adequate training for a successful career?• Work experience, do any previous jobs prepare the candidate for this

position?• Career goals, does the candidate have clear goals?• Personal traits, Do the candidate’s actions and attitudes predict good

work habits and good interpersonal skills?• Knowledge of organization and job. Does the candidate know the job and

organization well enough to be certain he or she will feel happy in them?

Respond to the employer’s needs and concerns -Hector• Respond to the employer’s needs and concerns• We should in keep in mind, “Companies hire employees to satisfy

their needs, not yours.”• The key concept to this is, Are you a person who can help this

organization? • And What can you do for us? --- Are you qualified to do the job?Are you motivated to do the job? And Will you fit the culture and get along with your colleague?

Be honest -Hector• Be honest• It is a mandatory job requirement.• Don’t over exaggerate when answer the question, because they will

suspect of everything else of what you were saying.• “Always be honest.”

Emphasize the Positive• Back up your answers with evidence – it is really effective to back up

any claims you make with evidence of your performance.• Keep your answers brief – A general rule is to keep your responses

under 2 minutes. They want an additional information.• Be enthusiastic; it is much easier for you to manufacture it then to

actually show it. Keep in mind that the interviewer wants to see how you really feel about the job. Sharing your excitement can work to your advantage when competing against others.• Have your own questions answered – Don’t ask the interviewers the

greedy ones that focus on salary, vacation time, benefits, and so on.

Rehearing an Interview -Hector• Be honest• It is a mandatory job requirement.• Don’t over exaggerate when answer the question, because they will

suspect of everything else of what you were saying.• “Always be honest.”

Post-Interview Follow-up• It reminds the employer of you.• It can correct any misunderstandings that m have occurred during the

interview.• It should be neat, error free, and carefully composed.• Possibly you could get a second interview, because you leave a

positive impression by including the thank you note.

Interviewing and the Law -Hector• Many laws govern which questions are and are not legal in

employment interviews.• Bona fide occupational qualification - means any question asked

should be job related

There are several ways to answer an unlawful question: -Hector• 1. Answer without objection. Answer question, even though you know it is

unlawful. EXAMPLE: "I'm 47"• 2. Seek explanation. Ask the interviewer firmly and respectfully to explain why this

question is a BFOQ."I'm having a hard time seeing how my age relates to my ability to do this job Can you explain?"• 3. Redirection. It can involve strategic ambiguity. If the interviewer asks, "How old

are you?" A candidate might shift the focus toward the position requirements; "What you've said so far suggest age isn't as important as willingness to travel. That isn't a problem for me."• 4. Refusal. Explain politely but firmly that you will not provide the information

requested: "I'd rather not talk about my religion. That’s a personal matter for me."

The Obligations of the Interviewer• Make only promises you are willing and able to keep. For example, it’s

dishonest and unfair for an employer to encourage a job applicant about the chances of receiving an offer until he is sure an offer will be forthcoming. • Keep confidences. Interviewers and respondents should not reveal

confidential information or disclose any private information gained during a session to people who have no legitimate reason to have it.• Allow the interviewee to make free responses. Means an interview that

forces the subject into giving unwilling answers will then turn into a dishonest conversation, and its unethical• Treat every interviewee with respect. This means making sure the

interviewee feels comfortable and understands the nature of the session.

Obligation of the interviewee -Hector• Don't misrepresent the facts of your position. Be honest when talking

about facts and your position otherwise it is likely to catch up to you sooner or later and harm you more for not telling the truth in the first place.• Don't waste the interviewer's time. If preparation or the interview is

necessary, do your homework. Once the interview has begun, stick to the subject to use the time most wisely.