Characteristics of Interview
An interview is a formal conversation between an employer and a job candidate, or between an interviewer and a subject, to assess qualifications, skills, experience, or gain information.
It involves questions and answers that help the interviewer gather relevant data or evaluate the interviewee’s suitability for a position, project, or other professional purposes.
Interviews can take various forms, such as one-on-one, panel, or structured formats, and can be conducted in person, over the phone, or virtually.
Interviews are critical in gathering information, making decisions, and evaluating candidates for specific roles.
A good interview is structured to yield valuable insights while ensuring fairness and effectiveness.
Below are 10 major characteristics of a well-conducted interview:
Purposeful and Goal-Oriented
Every interview has a clear objective, whether it’s to assess a job candidate, gather information for a research study, or evaluate someone’s skills and experience.
The purpose sets the tone and direction of the conversation.
Before the interview, both the interviewer and interviewee should understand the goals.
In a job interview, for example, the purpose might be to evaluate the candidate’s suitability for a role based on their skills, experience, and cultural fit.
In research, the goal could be gathering specific insights from the interviewee.
Two-Way Communication
Another essential characteristic of an interview is two-way communication. An interview is a dialogue, not a monologue.
It involves both the interviewer and interviewee communicating and exchanging information.
Effective interviews allow both parties to share their perspectives, ask questions, and clarify points.
The interviewer should ask clear, open-ended questions that allow the interviewee to elaborate on their responses.
Similarly, interviewees should have the opportunity to ask questions, whether about the job, the organization, or the interviewer’s expectations.
This two-way communication fosters a better understanding.
Structured or Semi-Structured Format
A structured interview uses predetermined questions, while a semi-structured interview allows for more flexibility, with some predetermined questions but also room for follow-up queries.
Both formats ensure that the interview remains focused and relevant.
In a structured interview, questions are designed in advance to assess specific criteria (such as qualifications or behavior).
Semi-structured interviews, common in qualitative research or HR, allow for a natural conversation while ensuring that core questions are addressed.
The balance between structure and flexibility can adapt to the interviewee’s responses.
Non-verbal Communication
Non-verbal cues, such as body language, facial expressions, posture, and eye contact, play a crucial role in communication.
They can provide additional insights into the interviewee’s confidence, honesty, or level of engagement.
Interviewers should pay attention to these non-verbal cues and ensure they are interpreted in context.
For example, a candidate’s nervousness might not necessarily indicate a lack of competence, but rather an anxiety about the interview setting.
Similarly, interviewees should be mindful of their non-verbal behavior to convey professionalism.
Fairness and Objectivity
To avoid biases and discrimination, interviews should be fair and objective.
The interviewer must evaluate all candidates based on the same criteria, ensuring that the process is unbiased and consistent for all interviewees.
Implementation: Interviewers should be aware of their own potential biases and ensure that questions are based solely on the qualifications and competencies required for the position or the research.
Using standardized evaluation criteria helps maintain fairness.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Privacy ensures that sensitive information shared during an interview is protected.
This is crucial for building trust between the interviewer and interviewee, particularly in job interviews, where personal details and experiences are often discussed.
Interviewers should reassure candidates that their responses will be kept confidential, and only shared with relevant decision-makers.
In research interviews, consent forms and ethical guidelines help ensure that participant information is handled securely and respectfully.
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Clear Communication
Effective interviews require clear, concise communication.
The interviewer needs to ask precise questions, and the interviewee should respond in a manner that is easy to understand.
Miscommunication can lead to misunderstandings and unreliable evaluations.
Both parties should avoid jargon or overly complex language.
Interviewers should ask one question at a time and allow the interviewee time to respond thoughtfully.
Active listening from both parties can further clarify any points of confusion.
Timeliness
Time management is a key feature of interviews.
Long-winded conversations can lead to fatigue, while rushed interviews may prevent meaningful exchanges.
Timely interviews allow for adequate exploration of the topics at hand without wasting time.
Set clear time expectations at the start of the interview, and ensure both parties stick to the agreed-upon schedule.
Interviewers should be prepared to steer the conversation back on track if it goes off-course, maintaining focus while respecting the interviewee’s time.
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Preparation and Research
Successful interviews are well-planned. Interviewers should be knowledgeable about the job, candidate, or topic they are discussing.
Preparation leads to more insightful questions and a deeper understanding of the interviewee’s background.
Interviewers should review the resume or background information of the interviewee in advance.
For research interviews, it’s essential to familiarize oneself with the subject matter and the interviewee’s previous work.
A solid understanding of the context helps make the interview more meaningful.
Respect and Professionalism
Respect for the interviewee’s time, thoughts, and experience is vital for building rapport and creating a positive interview environment.
Professionalism from both parties fosters mutual respect and trust.
The interviewer should create a welcoming environment, be punctual, and show courtesy.
Interviewees, in turn, should be respectful and maintain a professional demeanor. A polite and respectful atmosphere allows for more honest, open communication.
Hence, these are the 10 major characteristics of interviews.
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Siddhu holds a BIM degree and in his free time, he shares his knowledge through this website with the rest of the world.