Interview techniques

Last Updated (Sunday, 16 November 2008 09:50) Written by Administrator Wednesday, 05 November 2008 10:10

The purpose of an interview is to qualify the candidate and to determine whether or not the candidate possesses the skills and experience necessary for success in that particular role.

Today most companies use behavioural interviewing in their search for the best candidates.

The idea of behavioural interviewing is to determine the qualities they are looking for in each individual. An example of how you behaved or handled a situation in the past gives the interviewer an idea of how you will perform in the future. Behavioural interviewing is used in qualifying areas such as cultural fit, leadership ability, team player attitude, accomplishments, creative thinking and initiative.

Behavioural interviewing is difficult to prepare for as you don’t know the questions they will be asking you. This form of interviewing makes it difficult to lie or “fudge the truth” as the interviewer often probes your answers for clues, they rate your performance, answers. How did you react under pressure, do you show honesty and are you reliable.

Examples of behavioural questions:

• Out of all the roles you have had, which was the most rewarding and why?
• Everyone from time to time has to deal with changing environments. Tell me about a situation you have experienced and how you reacted to those changes.
• Tell me about a situation where you had to take matters into your own hands, what was the outcome?
• Describe a situation where you had to deal with conflict in a team.
• Tell me about your most difficult decision-making situation.
• Have you had difficulty getting others to accept your ideas or concepts?
• What was the most demanding boss you ever had/Give me examples of why.

Always remember to keep your answers truthful and before your interviews make sure you research what the company does and projects it is involved with. Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask and leave out questions regarding salary for your first interview.