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This fact sheet has:
• What is an Interview?
Interviews •
•
Format of Interviews.
Questions to ask
• Samples to compare
What is an interview?
An interview is at the most fundamental level, a meeting between strangers.
An interview is a structured conversation where one participant/s asks questions, and the other/s provides
answers. In common parlance, the word "interview" refers to a one-on-one conversation between an
interviewer and an interviewee.
An interview is an attempt get a glimpse of or an insight into a person’s personality, ideas, motivation and
knowledge for purposes that may vary from fan curiosity to future employment.
Reference -
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/media/departmental/careers/pdf/interviews_en.pdf
https://www.questionpro.com/blog/types-of-interviews/
Format of Interviews:
There are basically 3 formats of interviews –
• Structured interview - This involves asking the same predetermined questions to all interviewees
• Unstructured interview -is an interview in which questions are not prearranged.
• Semi-structured interview-An interview might have specific questions to answer, but they have the
flexibility to make changes. This interview type allows creative advantage.
The interviewer chooses the format based on the purpose of the interview –
Data and information collection – structured interview; this would include ‘rapid fire’ round of questions
that allow the audience to gather a quick understanding of the interviewee.
In-depth understanding of an idea or a person – Unstructured interview; this would be an interview that
explores the interviewee’s personal opinions; with each question leading to the next. The interviewer needs
to have researched the interviewee work and life in detail before creating the opened questions. -
interviews such as Hard talk on BBC or 60 mins on Australian television
Interviews for shows -Semi-structured interview; this would be interviews in talk shows, where a simple
format is followed but the host modifies certain questions based on answers given by the interviewee; the
combination of closed and open-ended questions allows the audience to get an over all understanding of
the person being interviewed. The Tonight Show- Jimmy Fallon and The Ellen DeGeneres show are
examples of this format
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Types of Questions that can be used in an interview:
Closed-ended questions: provide the respondent with limited response options. These kinds of questions
typically require the respondent to choose from two options, for example, yes or no or true or false. They
may also require the respondent to use a rating scale, for example, strongly disagree to strongly agree.
Closed-ended questions can be effective for obtaining specific information. Closed -ended questions are
best used when transitioning from one point to another in an interview.
• Did you see Janice's email about Friday's meeting?
• Do you have all the information you require for completing this task?
• Do you agree with the new process for filing new client information?
Open-ended questions: Open-ended questions are the opposite of closed-ended questions. These
questions usually require a more elaborate answer and provide the respondent with an opportunity to
express their ideas or thoughts without limitations. Open-ended questions can be useful to gather general
information, develop conversations and encourage discussion.
e.g.
• What's the best way to use this software?
• What do you think about the concept of the holiday campaign?
• How was your first day?
There are different types of open-ended questions that can be used:
Funnel questions: The sequence of questions might start broad and open-ended and then segue to more
direct, closed-ended questions.
e.g.
• Did you find that meeting helpful?
• Which part helped you the most?
• What other bits of information might you like to have received?
Divergent questions: These questions are mostly to encourage critical thought on a topic or expand on
conversation. Divergent questions are similar to open-ended questions in that they invite an answer without
limitations. They're different in that they're commonly opinion-based and relate to the future.
e.g.
• How might you recommend improving our current client onboarding process?
• What do you think can happen if we increase the marketing budget by 15%?
• How do you think the finance department might change if Adam became a team leader?
Convergent questions: Convergent questions require the respondent to merge their knowledge or thoughts
in several areas to produce a conclusive answer, as opposed to broadening their thinking on a single topic.
These questions can be beneficial when problem-solving.
e.g.
• Why do you think this happened?
• What do you recognise as the common theme of this campaign?
• What's one word you might use to describe your work ethic?
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Probing questions: Someone may ask probing questions to, for example, explore a person’s thought process
or learn about the requirements of a person.
e.g.
• What's the best-case scenario?
• How can I help?
• What do you see on your screen?
Clarifying questions: These are commonly present in interview-type scenarios to ensure the correct
interpretation of information received by the interviewer. they require the respondent to reiterate
previously provided information for clarification
e.g.
• What do you mean by 'best possible time'?
• Should we understand that you were unhappy with the situation?
Affective questions: The aim of an affective question is usually to learn how others feel. The way a
respondent answers this type of question can clarify information and affirm their views on a matter.
e.g.
• Are you happy with the way I completed this task?
• How do you feel about the overtime policy?
• Is this something that's important to you?
Resource
https://au.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/types-of-questions
Things to remember when planning an Interview
Research – The interviewer needs to research the subject of the interview-
environment, social issues, Art, etc. ; as well understand the interviewee- whether the
person has special areas of interest? what has the person contributed to? things the
person does not like discussing or being questioned about.
Flow – The interview needs to begin with basic introductory questions; gradually
moving onto more detailed questions; ending with questions that lead to broad summation
of the topic. Multiple types of questions must be used, with open-ended questions being
the most frequently used ones.
Focus – The interviewer must be careful to keep the audience and the subject of the
interview in mind always. Questions, even if they are open-ended, must not meander
away from the central issue under discussion
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Stop!
Things NOT to do in an interview
1. Have an aggressive tone
2. Ask inappropriate questions:
• Leading questions – that suggest an answer or a particular line of
thought. e.g. the conversation was interesting, wasn’t it?
• Probing or prying questions about the person’s personal life e.g.
who abused you?
• Questions that are not age appropriate for the interviewee or the
audience
3. Ask questions that are unrelated to the topic of the interview
Exercise A:
Read sample interview questions given below. Put a tick mark against
those that you find appropriate and put a cross mark against those you
find inappropriate. Explain why they are inappropriate.
1. Have you ever had doubts about the career you have chosen?
__________________________________________________
2. Who has been your worst enemy in this journey?
__________________________________________________
3. How do you think the rules of the game need to be changed to make it more
challenging?
__________________________________________________
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4. Right now, the rules are rather unfair, don’t you think?
__________________________________________________
5. What sort of support would you be looking at from the people?
__________________________________________________
6. Could you explain what you meant by ‘boring concept’?
_________________________________________________
7. Is a person’s sexuality an important factor in your assessment of a person?
__________________________________________________
8. Do you feel comfortable with the idea of a mandatory gap year for students?
___________________________________________________
Exercise B:
Watch the following interviews of Bill Gates.
The Beat with Ari Melbar
https://youtu.be/Ng5mYx4rDso?si=bbQGM2MhfN2dti_r
Ellen show
https://youtu.be/f5NJQiY9AuY?si=v121RdpviUIPq6xf
Now, answer the following questions:
1. What was the purpose of the interviews?
2. Give a point of similarity between the interviews.
3. Give a point of difference between the interviews.
4. Which interview did you think was closer to its purpose and better
focussed? Explain why.
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5. Change or add 2 questions to make the interviews better, from your
perspective of a good interview. [add the answers you feel Bill Gates would
have given to your questions]
Exercise C:
Watch the following interviews of Michele Obama
BBC interview
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0dh7wt4/michelle-obama-fear-is-a-
powerful-emotion-
Stephan Colbert
https://youtu.be/unFmZZEK0-M?si=2b_kHSCehc3Wl0Sh
Using both the interviews, create a questionnaire along with imagined
responses for an interview meant for an audience of school going teenagers in
India.
Your questionnaire should have not more than 10 questions and not less than 5
questions. Approx. word count 350 words.
