Chapter 6

Question 1

Define Interviewing

Answer 1

an interview is an exchange of information between participants. An interview consists of a minimum of two people.

Question 2

What are the goals of interviewing? Give Examples

Answer 2

Knowing the job - an interview can be used to gain useful knowlege to the related job
Knowing Subordinates - interviews can provide a superior with insight into his subordinates
Know yourself - a supervisor must be willing to learn from his subordinates / interviewees.

Question 3

What are the two major categories of interviews? Explain the differneces between them.

Answer 3

The direct interview and the indirect interview.
The direct interview is both planned and controlled by the interviewer, while the indirect interview is planned by the interviewer but controlled by the persos being interviewed.

Question 4

Name several types of interviews and give examples.

Answer 4

The chatting interview 
The performance interview 
The subordinate’s grievance interview 
The assignment interview 
The exit interview

Question 5

The chatting interview

Answer 5

extremely informal and can provide the free and open exchange of a great deal of information

Question 6

The performance interview

Answer 6

this interview aids a supervisor to better know his subordinates. It can also help to gain insight into one’s own self and supervisory style.

Question 7

The subordinate’s grievance interview

Answer 7

a subordinated comes to the boss with a complaint, either real or imagined, about the work environment. Should be treated as real and important.

Question 8

The assignment interview

Answer 8

assists a supervisor in learning about and assessing a subordinate who is requesting assignment to the supervisors unit.

Question 9

The exit interview

Answer 9

can gain much from this interview and should attempt to determine the real reason behind the decision to leave the agency.

Question 10

What is the overshadowing effect?

Answer 10

• Also called the “halo” effect is caused when a supervisor makes a decision based on only one characteristic of the applicant. Example, a well-dressed and spoken applicant does not make him the best for a position.

Question 11

Specifically explain the importance of preparing for an interview

Answer 11

• Preparation provides a base from which to ask and respond to relevant questions. The more complete the preparation for an interview, the greater the quantity and quality of information you receive.

Question 12

Name and explain the components of an interview.

Answer 12

• The opening
• Questions and answers
• The sum up

Question 13

• The opening

Answer 13

• Interviewer should introduce himself and start with a positive comment. The reason for the interview should be clearly stated

Question 14

• Questions and answers

Answer 14

• The interviewer should use his notes to guide his questions. Important to maintain eye contact.

Question 15

• The sum up

Answer 15

• Review what has taken place and specify what has been agreed to be done, who will do it and when it shall be done.

Question 16

Should and interviewer listen actively or passively, explain.

Answer 16

• Actively, listening is difficult as the listener is able to think many times faster than a speaker can speak. This causes the mind to wander while the speaker is still speaking making it imperative for the listener to listen constantly and actively.

Question 17

Explain echoing and boundering as questioning techniques.

Answer 17

• Echoing is a type of question that takes the last few words stated and uses them to ask another question
• Boundering is a questioning technique used by an interviewer to prevent the interviewee from straying from the subject matter being discussed.

Question 18

Explain why documentation of an interview is important

Answer 18

• The documentation serves as a reminder of such action steps and assignments

Question 19

Is follow-up to an interview important, give reasons to support your answer

Answer 19

• Yes, it is the interviewer’s job to follow-up on those things that were discussed during the interview and to get specific expected results and dates.

Question 20

Name and explain the barriers to effective interviewing.

Answer 20

• Parties involved are not physically prepared – either or both parties are too mentally or physically tired to properly participate
• Speech sifting or filtering – when a participant does not say what he really means
• Insufficient preparation by the interviewer – fails to gather sufficient background
• A belief on the part of the participants that they know what is going to be said before it is actually said
• Daydreaming – because a person can think faster than they can speak, the listener stops listening and allows other thoughts creep into his mind.

Question 21

Name and explain the barriers to effective interviewing.

Answer 21

• Listening with one’s mouth – most people want to talk more than they want to listen.
• Permitting outside distractions
• Going into an interview with a mindset that refuses to entertain any thoughts foreign to what is believed to be correct.
• Not asking questions about unclear issues.
• Failing to take into consideration the non-verbal statements made by a participant.