Interview

An interview is the most prevalent kind of planned communication. Interview is a special technique of communication that is used to examine the behaviour of an individual or individuals, to match their statements and to study the clear conclusions of social interaction.

According to Jucius Michael, “An interview is a face to face, oral, observational and personal appraisal method”.

Usually, it is used as a means of getting information from the candidate. It also involves giving information that will help the applicant make up his mind about the company.

Interviewing the candidates is an important aspect of selection procedure. The final selection is partly based on the performance of the candidate in different tests and partly on his performance in the final interview. In the interview, the candidate has to appear before the interviewer or a group of interviewers.

Although interview may be of several types, but we shall study, interview for job or employment only. An employment interview is a structured and purposive conversation between the interviewee and the interviewer or interviewers.

Interview is not a test of knowledge alone but an acid test of your personality in the strict sense of the word. Knowledge in itself is a part of your personality and that knowledge inspires confidence – the quintessence of personality.

In a typical interview, the action is controlled by the interviewer. He establishes the style and structure of the interview. In employment interviews, the employer wants to learn about the applicant’s ability and experience. The job candidate wants to learn about the place and organization. Both hope to make a good impression and establish a rapport. Job interviews are usually fairly formal and organized. Correct and critical listening skills are especially important.

Interview is an important skill and requires special type of preparation. At a recent advisory committee meeting of business executives and college teachers of business department, the business people were asked, “How can we help our graduates compete on the job market?” Replying for the group, one man advised –

“Teach them how to present themselves properly at a job interview.”

So much has to be decided in the brief time of employment interviews that it may not seem fair. But the individual’s appearance in interview and his personal performance after the interview and appointment is more important than educational ability.

A business organisation will prefer a person with two years’ experience to a person with four years’ experience, if the former presents himself in a better way, looks in the eyes while speaking and makes a positive over-all impression. The person who dresses carelessly, mumbles answers, slouches in a chair and evades looking you in the eye will be ignored regardless of otherwise good qualifications.

Interview – Importance of Employment Interview

For the selection of right types of people, employment interview is very important.

The importance of employment interview are as follows:

• There is a face-to-face contact between the employer and the candidate. The employer can assess the personality traits of the candidate.

• The candidate can seek more information about the employer and the job. This creates a better understanding in the mind of the candidate.

• The communication skill of the candidate can be judged in the interview. His way of thinking can also be known.

• Interview is very important where the candidate has not to go through employment tests. The information contained in the application form can be checked during the interview.

• Many companies do not follow elaborate selection procedure as it is costly and time-consuming. They can rely on interview if it is properly planned and administered.

Interview – Guidelines for Effective Interview

• Interviewers must be persons of outstanding capabilities in judging various skills possessed by the candidates.

• The interviewer should have adequate training and experience in conducting interviews.

• The interviewer need to begin the interview with the information already given by the candidate in his application than asking professional questions. This will create a confidence in the candidate to answer other questions. This is likely to create good ‘rapport’ between the candidate and the interviewer.

• The interviewer should know what all the traits assessed during the interview like intelligence, aptitude for inter-personnel relationship, self-motivation to work and also qualities like honesty, ability to communicate, emotional bal­ance and coordinating ability.

• The interviewer should ensure that interview should not be prejudicial.

• The interview should elicit the required information about the candidate to enable the interviewer to have a comprehensive idea about the candidates, per­sonal appearance, attitude, mannerism, motivation, merits, temperament and other personal attributes.