Interviewing techniques

This programme provides a challenging and comprehensive insight into preparing for and conducting productive and engaging interviews with confidence.

Level

Programme is appropriate for learners at entry, intermediate and advanced levels.

Objectives

  • To develop insight into the nature of interviewing methods
  • To identify the steps in the interviewing process
  • To build trust and credibility through effective relationship management
  • To raise awareness of personal style and how to match the styles of others
  • To develop a range of interviewing skills 
  • To build confidence through demonstrations and simulations

Process

Interviewee’s Perspective – Share personal experiences of effective and ineffective interviews. Explore what it feels like to be an interviewer and interviewee. Practical implications. Identify key themes and insights.

Defining the Interview – Key features. Importance of purpose. Roles – interviewer / interviewee. What works / does not work. Typical pitfalls. Outcomes vs. process. Attitude – genuineness, authenticity, interest, warmth, trust, respect, prejudice.

Interview Process – Key steps – entry, exploration and exit. Creating a positive climate. Building trust / credibility. Contracting. Confidentiality. Closure. Follow up.

Interview Types – Different types of interviews – assessment, situational, confrontational, supportive. When to use different types – performance, recruitment, disciplinary, development, customer service, problem solving, etc. How to prepare for different interview types. Implications for interviewer style.

Planning & Preparation – Clarify of purpose / objectives. Background research. Identifying gaps to explore. Practical arrangements. Physical setting. Preparing questions. Structured or unstructured. Importance of attitude.

Relationship Management – Building relationships in an interview context. Giving / receiving information – Johari Window. Building trust and credibility. Building and influencing relationships through Transactional Analysis (TA). Self-management.

Personal Style – Awareness of different interviewing styles. Communication styles – doer, actor, friend, thinker. Impact on effectiveness / experience. Self-assessing own style. Working effectively with different styles.

Communication – Draw a picture of what communication means to you – clarify what we mean by communication. Maximising personal impact – 3Vs model. Verbal – word choice, jargon, etc. Vocal – tone, volume, pact, inflection, etc. Visual – body language, facial expressions, hands, posture, eye contact, nodding, etc.  Applying the 3Vs to enhance the interview experience / effectiveness.

Telephonic Interviews – Impact on interview effectiveness. Adapting communication – verbal and vocal. Telephone techniques.
Interviewing Skills – Self-awareness, tuning in, creating a positive climate, agreeing a contract, structuring, controlling the interview, questioning, listening, informing, summarising, note taking, rapport, facilitation, empathy, feedback, disclosure, humour, silence, recording information, etc.

Co-Interviewing – Challenge of co-interviewing. Clarify – purpose, process, type, roles, etc. Managing differences in personal style – Communication Styles.

Practice – Model interviewing behaviours through live demonstrations. Practice through a variety of practical simulations. Feedback and discussion.

Options

Programme can be adapted as either a 1 or 2 day workshop for 8 to 10 learners, with the possibility of using professional role players.