For any purpose, whether personal or professional, it is important to be able to conduct an effective and informative interview. In general, an interviewer should keep the following guidelines in mind during the course of conducting a successful interview:
1: Being open-minded and flexible is a trait that all good interviewers should have. When going into an interview, it is important to consider and be open to all possibilities and answers. Being closed-minded will inhibit the free flow of information that is needed in order to conduct a successful interview.
2: Remembering that interviewing involves interaction is important because the interviewer needs to remember how much input he or she should have as well as when it is appropriate for him or her to interject. If the interviewer interjects too much, then he or she is no longer allowing the interviewee to voice his or her opinion. However, if the interviewer does not interject enough then there may be a lack of response and information.
3: It is important for an interviewer to speak up when necessary during an interview because many times the interviewee may need some sort of affirmation that his or her response was understood. If it appears that the interviewee is having a difficult time understanding what you are saying, it would be helpful to rephrase your question in order to make it easier for them to understand.
4: Keep an open line of communication with the interviewee.
5: Open-ended questions give more freedom to the interviewee in terms of how he or she answers the question. Good open-ended questions allow the interviewee to think and express himself or herself more freely.
6: Do not let your emotions get in the way of conducting an effective interview.
7: Keep in mind that encouraging words and phrases can be used effectively when conducting an effective interview with an interviewee. Watch what is said, how it is said, and the timing of when it is said to elicit positive responses.
8: Summarizing and clarifying responses can contribute to an effective interview. It allows for the interviewer to understand more clearly what the interviewee is saying which may help with follow-up questions or changes in topic.
9: Avoid leading or misleading the interviewee by not using phrases such as, “Didn’t you?”, “Aren’t you?”, “Wouldn’t you?” etc. Leading the interviewee only confuses him or her and could lead to a non-productive interview.
10: Pay attention to body language and other nonverbal cues. This may help with understanding what the interviewee is trying to say.