Interview technique training

Leadership and management training open courses in Manchester, Birmingham, Gloucester, Milton Keynes, Swindon, Oxford, London, Nottingham, West Midlands, Edinburgh – Scotland

An “Interview” in this context means, “A form of business communication, the purpose of which is to enable the interviewer(s) to gather enough information to make an accurate decision”.

If an interview is to be effective, you should have definite a method.
Unprepared interviews result in costly decisions.
Planned interviews result in profitable decisions.

Our goal is to determine what makes an effective interview and then, practice the skills needed to make it possible.

Interview technique training course content
Know your outcome
Define criteria.

1. Create a model of your idea candidate, by listing all the qualities needed to successfully fulfil the role.
2. Sort the qualities into similar sets
3. Design questions, tests or activities that will reveal the degree to which each candidate possess the attribute.
4. Organise the questions and tests into a proper sequence
5. Apply the same ( or similar) sequence, fairly to all candidates 

Eligible vs. suitable?
Distinguish between eligible and suitable candidates
Eligible means “Could do the job”
Suitable means “Can and WILL do the job” 

Preparation
Preparation of yourself:

1. Prepare your information
2. Prepare your mental focus 

Physical environment
Prepare the room 

Process
Ensure you have all you need for any tests 

Candidate
Give the candidate all the information he-she needs for a fair trial

Communication skills for performance interviews

On occasion you will have to hold a “performance interview”:
You call these interviews as a result of a perceived lack of good performance from a member of your team.
The purpose of your interview is to prompt a change of behaviour, or to discover the reasons “why?”

In this context, there are certain things you should do:

• Remove the bad feeling
• Ask questions rather than make statements
• Listen with intent to understand
• “Answers” vs. “responses” to questions
• Distinguish between reasons and excuses

Note the difference between an answer and a response to a question.
There are some who respond to, but do not answer your questions. 

Watch for inconsistencies
Note any and all contradictions. 

Develop the skills of taking accurate notes
How good are you at taking notes that are:
Accurate, complete and legible

How to set up the room

1. Where to sit
2. Sufficient light, air and space
3. The correct temperature.

Body language and voice tones

1. Yours
2. And theirs

Body language

1. Posture
2. Eye contact
3. Gestures
4. Expression 

Exercises and practice sessions 

Remember the law

• Discrimination
• Race
• Sex
• Written records 

Review of course main points
Summary and checking
Final action plans

The training method follows this general pattern:

1. The trainer gives a clear explanation of the point in question.
2. The trainer then demonstrates the principle and gives specific examples.
3. Then, the delegates practice by doing an exercise with each other.
4. The delegates practice by doing exercise with the trainer.
5. All points are supported with full written notes to take away.
6. Delegates are asked to write down an associated action, for each point made.
7. (At the end of the day, we have about twenty such actions, from which the delegates choose six which are the most personally meaningful).

Note: we do not believe in placing people in any situation of embarrassment by demanding that they 'perform' in front of the whole group. So you can relax: come on this course and be at ease; ready to learn new skills!

Please call The Corporate Coach Training Group today on 01452 85609

For all your training enquiries please call: 01452 856091

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