Interviews

Question 1

Interview Overview:

Answer 1

• Interviewing is a specialized form of communication that involves goal-directed or purposeful interaction in order to achieve a specific outcome.
• Interviews come in various types which include surveys, medical, journalistic, supervisory, investigative, and counselling/ therapeutic interviews.
• It is worth noting that an individual’s culture, gender, religion, and class can significantly impact their help-seeking behavior as well as how they respond in professional interviews and relationships.
• The process unfolds in four phases: preliminary, beginning, work, and termination.
• A skill, in this context, refers to the message that the interviewer conveys to the client with the intention of benefiting them in terms of their thoughts, feelings, or behavior.

Question 2

Preliminary Phase:

Answer 2

• The preliminary phase of an interview is crucial for its success.
• It involves selecting a suitable venue, determining the appropriate session length, and addressing language barriers.
• Providing interpretation services when necessary is essential.
• The number of sessions should match the complexity of the issues at hand.
• Having tissues ready shows empathy during emotional discussions.
• Understanding the interview’s purpose is vital in guiding the conversation, whether it’s individual or family-focused.
• Tuning in to the client’s emotions and preparing to understand their feelings is necessary for the interviewer.
• The interviewer should exhibit empathy and consideration by inquiring about the client’s feelings, creating a supportive and understanding atmosphere.
• Tuning in allows the interviewer to hear the client’s indirect cues and respond directly, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the interview.
• Self- Efficiacy (Bandura)
• Maslow starting with basic needs.
• Carl Rogers ideal and real self.
• Locus of control: the interviewer en interviewee.
• Keeping this in mind to show understanding. Humanistic theories from the beginning. Application.

Question 3

Beginning Phase:

Answer 3

• The contracting process is essential, covering interview objectives, confidentiality, and ethical considerations.
• Settling in involves the nuanced art of meeting and greeting, applying SOLER guidelines for visible tuning.
• S = Face the client SQUARELY which indicates you are involved in the conversation. Turning your body away from the person lessens your contact with the person.
• O = Adopt an OPEN POSTURE. Crossed arms and legs can make it seem as if you are unavailable and uninvolved in the interview.
• L = At times you can LEAN towards the client a bit. Leaning far back can make it seem as if you are bored and leaning too far forward can be threatening.
• E = Maintain good EYE CONTACT. Avoid staring though. Be aware of cultural issues around eye contact.
• R = Try to be RELAXED so be aware of fidgeting, facial expressions, and your non-verbal communication
• Emphasis is placed on active listening, incorporating both verbal and non-verbal cues.

Question 4

Listening Skills:

Answer 4

• Listening skills are critical in an interview and involve active understanding.
• Maintaining balance between listening and responding is crucial for effective communication.
• Skilled listeners are often good speakers as well.
• Active listening is crucial during interviews to understand and effectively communicate with the client.
• Valuable insights can be gained by observing the client at multiple levels.
• Active listening allows the interviewer to empathize with the client’s emotions and thoughts.
• Giving feedback to confirm understanding is equally important.
• Active listening techniques include encouragers, clarification, paraphrasing, reflection, summarization, and exploring silences.
• The interviewer needs to listen to both themselves and the client to be effective. ( Internal Conversation)
• Unconditional positive regard.

Question 5

Working Phase:

Answer 5

• Probing and exploring techniques are crucial during the working phase of an interview.
• Empathy and probing should be balanced, as it should not feel like an interrogation.
• Purposeful questions should be asked while avoiding ‘why’ questions.
• A mix of open and closed questions should be employed.
• Closed questions elicit specific information while open questions allow more freedom in responses.
• Narrowing the focus or funnelling technique guides the interviewee to provide a detailed description of their situation while remaining centered on the client’s needs and experiences.

Question 6

Termination and Evaluation Phase:

Answer 6

• The termination and evaluation phase of an interview requires the application of various essential skills.
• These skills include summarizing, reflecting, integration, and planning.
• Summarizing helps consolidate the information and ensures a clear understanding of the progress made.
• Reflecting on the client’s experiences and emotions fosters a deeper understanding and empathy.
• Integration of the lessons learned into the client’s life promotes meaningful change and growth.
• Effective planning is necessary to establish maintenance strategies, prevent relapses, and facilitate referrals to support systems.
• By employing these skills, the interviewer can facilitate a smooth transition towards closure while ensuring that the client’s progress and well-being remain at the forefront of the process.
• Termination should be steadily done from the beginning to avoid attachment.

Question 7

Errors in Interviewing:

Answer 7

• Underlines that an interview should not resemble an interrogation.
• Common errors include asking leading questions, relying on closed questions, reflecting before exploring, lack of contracting, posing double questions, lack of clarity about the purpose, and asking irrelevant questions.

Question 8

Errors in Knowledge Domain:

Answer 8

• Common errors include a lack of preparation and the assumption that one size fits all.
• It underscores the importance of acknowledging one’s expertise and recognizing when to refer clients to other resources.

Question 9

Errors in the Use of Self:

Answer 9

• Common errors involve being overly passive or controlling, avoiding discussions on unpleasant topics, stereotyping clients, and neglecting personal feelings or anxiety.
• It stresses the detrimental impact of making false promises in the interview setting.