Six tips for a successful Interview
As an interview panel member you will have read through all applications thoroughly and prepared a structure and core questions for the interview in liaison with colleagues on the panel. With the paperwork in order, here are six tips to ensure you get the most from candidates.
- Use a warm-up/ice-breaker question to put candidates at ease.
- Listen carefully to answers and show that you are listening through body language. Nodding, agreeing, maintaining eye contact and leaning slightly towards the person all help build dialogue and candidate confidence.
- Use open questions such as: ‘tell me about your previous job’; ‘give me an example of a project you have managed’; ‘tell me about your teaching experience’; ‘what techniques do you use to ensure you meet deadlines?’
- Avoid questions that will prompt a ‘yes/no’ answer, or leading questions such as: ‘you have a lot of relevant experience, don’t you?’. Instead ask the candidate to give examples that demonstrate their skills or experience.
- Only ask questions relevant to the selection criteria and be aware of preconceptions that could stop you being objective about a candidate.
- Make the interview business-like but not too formal. Think of it as a structured conversation where each candidate is asked broadly comparable questions. Allow for the fact that their responses may prompt ‘unscripted’ questions.
