This tip on interview skills is all about two little words. When added into your interview discussions they will allow you to get the most from the interviewee and encourage them to really open up with the real answers to your questions.
I am sure that you already ask your interviewee to expand on the answers they give you with such phrases as "Tell me about it" or "That's interesting, tell me more." or "How did you achieve that result?" etc. However, how many of us simply move on to another subject once our question is answered? Instead, the next time, once they give you an answer, encourage your interviewee to expand by saying "ANYTHING ELSE?"
I'll give you an example of that in action. In the following sketch (E) stands for employer and (I) for interviewee.
(E) So, Ken, if you had to tell me the main reason you applied for the job what would it be?
(I) I guess it would have to be the challenge - it sounds a really exciting job!
(E) Tell me why.
(I) Well, my existing job has all but dried up for me in terms of learning anything new.
(E) ANYTHING ELSE?
(I) I'm keen to advance my career and I hear your training department is one of the best around.
(E) ANYTHING ELSE?
(I) Yes, the location really suits me.
(E) Why is that?
(I) My wife has just moved jobs and is working quite near your offices so that will cut down on travelling expenses if we share a car.
(E) ANYTHING ELSE?
Did you notice the questioning technique used? I asked "What is the main reason...?" then asked Ken to expand, and then asked "ANYTHING ELSE?" then "Why..?" and then "ANYTHING ELSE?" Etc. That way you end up with a "shopping list" of what's most important and what's a "nice to have."
This style of questioning becomes vital when asking interviewees what they don't like or what they would wish to improve about their current job if they could, because you rarely get to the real reason or the major issue straight away. The secret with this technique is not to stop asking "ANYTHING ELSE?" until the interviewee says "No, that's just about it." Not only will you uncover a whole load of valuable information about the job they do and that organisation but you will gain a great insight into their personality, too. Remember these two simple words "ANYTHING ELSE?"
Recruitment Matters International offers training and consultancy to the staffing industry. Quite simply, we help people and organisations become better at recruiting. www.recruitmentmatters.com 0800 0749289 or +44(0)1945 461561