Discover essential details on how to tackle the art of interviewing. We’ve put together some principles that’ll help you be successful in any situation!
We interview to get the perception of another person on a matter. It can be on a political issue, a social stand, or the better insight of the interviewee. Whatever the reason is, it presents the interviewer with the chance to interact and draw out information from the interviewee.
While obvious tasks like preparing a list of questions and conducting a background check on the topic are apparent, we want to look at other tips you can do before and during an interview.
1 Let The Interviewee Be Comfortable
It’s always best to interview in an environment where the subject can freely speak. An example is interviewing a chef in their restaurant after closing hours or during a break. Doing this allows the chef to relax while answering your questions.
A good practice will also be to engage with the person before you start the interview. Talk about subjects that will allow the person to ease up, or you could even tip the person about the kinds of questions coming their way.
2 Listen
The interviewer’s job is to listen. Listen to understand the interviewee’s point. Listen so that you can follow up the answers with intelligent questions and listen to assure the person you are following their train of thought and not bent on coercing a predetermined claim from them. You should also pay attention to your body language. Nods, hand gestures, sitting position, and eye contact are all indications that you are attentive.
3 Respect the Interviewee
Stay respectful despite your opinion on the topic. It is easy to get caught up in a topic of interest, especially when you already have a stand on the matter. Respecting the interviewee’s view may be difficult, but you must stay professional about your questions and how you follow them up.
Don’t also be quick to write out statements to support a bias that you have. Ask the interviewee if it is okay to quote them, especially if those statements may cause harm to the person and their families.
4 Be In Control Of Your Emotions
We are all humans, and our emotions can run wild. And as an interviewer, you will need to be very careful regarding this. Interviewing someone who has been through a sad event can quickly get you emotional, but you must keep your composure. Not keeping your composure may lead to two scenarios.
The first is the interviewee will believe the information is too sensitive and withhold some details. This is something you don’t want. The second is your behavior may offend the interviewee, leading to a walkout. If you have to be furious or cry about an event, do it after the interview.
5 Don’t Be Afraid to Keep Questioning To Get An Answer
When you come to an interview, you have a list of questions you will ask the interviewee. You prepare them because of the answers you want from them, so they are carefully written. The interviewee knows about this and may purposefully avoid some questions.
If you need those answers, you may have to reword them and ask them again or ask the same questions later in the interview. If the interviewee outright says they do not have an answer, then you can move on.
6 You Can’t Know It All
When interviewing a person who is a professional in their career, you come prepared with career-related questions to aid you. But it’s not also shameful to admit you do not know, because frankly, they’re the expert and not you. The person will appreciate it if you ask for further explanation when a word or an answer is over your head.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, interviewing will require a certain level of discipline and knowledge. You should not forget the purpose of the interview and get carried away, and be time conscious when interviewing a person. To be a good interviewer will mean a lot of practice and experience.
