A structured interview is an assessment method designed to measure job-related competencies of candidates by systematically inquiring about their behavior in past experiences and/or their proposed behavior in hypothetical situations. Show
Generally speaking, structured interviews ensure candidates have equal opportunities to provide information and are assessed accurately and consistently. Structured interviews are popular because they are more personal than other assessment methods. Other benefits of structured interviews are:
For information about how to develop and conduct a structured interview, please view the Structured Interview Guide. Summary Sheet and Training Presentations
When you're job searching, you may encounter many different types of interviews as you go through the hiring process at different companies. One common interviewing technique is a semi-structured interview. During a semi-structured interview, your interviewer will not strictly follow a formalized list of questions. Instead, they will ask more open-ended questions. NoteThis type of interview allows for more discussion than a straightforward question-and-answer format. Learn more about how semi-structured interviews work and how to prepare for one. What Is a Semi-Structured Interview?In this type of interview, the interviewer may prepare a list of questions but won't necessarily ask them all, or touch on them in any particular order. Instead, interviewers will use these questions to guide the conversation. In some cases, the interviewer will prepare only a list of general topics to be addressed. NoteOther interview types you might encounter are structured interviews, in which each candidate is asked the same questions in the same order, and unstructured interviews, in which all questions are spontaneous. How a Semi-Structured Interview WorksBefore the interview, the interviewer usually analyzes the job requirements and builds a profile of the ideal candidate. Next, they develop questions and conversation starters to draw information from the interviewee about their qualifications. Depending on how the candidate answers, the interviewer may ask follow-up questions to gain a more in-depth understanding. For example, an employer hiring a senior public relations representative might identify the following characteristics as vital to success in that role within their organization:
As a candidate, you would need to be prepared to expand on these themes, with anecdotes from your experiences that highlight these qualifications. A common practice in semi-structured interviews is to lead with open-ended questions, which are questions that can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Based on the answers, the interviewer will ask follow-up questions to draw out more specific evidence about the candidate's assets. An interviewer might lead with a general question like "What were the keys to your success as a PR representative for Jones and Company?" and then ask more specific questions based on the response of the candidate to assess strengths in key hiring criteria. So, if you responded to the question above and mentioned landing new clients as a key to your success, the interviewer might ask, "Can you describe the approach you used to land the major client you just mentioned?" to give you the opportunity to share some of the skills you used to engage clients. By tailoring their questions to each interviewee, the interviewer facilitates a more fluid conversation. Benefits of a Semi-Structured InterviewThe semi-structured interview format encourages two-way communication. Both the interviewer and the candidate can ask questions, which allows for a comprehensive discussion of pertinent topics. Because of the conversational tone, the candidate may feel more comfortable expanding on techniques and experiences that will highlight the traits that make them a good fit for the position. How to Handle a Semi-Structured InterviewSemi-structured interviewing is most effective when practiced by a well-trained and experienced interviewer. Interviewers with less experience may have difficulty extracting all the necessary information to assess whether a candidate meets the full job qualifications without a set list of questions. Novices using a semi-structured interview style should prepare a well-planned interview guide to ensure that all the job requirements are addressed. As a candidate, you may not know what the structure of your interview will be. If you're thoroughly prepared, you will be well equipped to handle any interview structure. Your interview is your chance to sell yourself for the job, so make sure you make a good impression by taking the following steps:
Key Takeaways
When managers use a set of predetermined questions for all the applicants for a specific job this is known as a?A structured interview is a standardized way of interviewing job candidates based on the specific needs of the job they are applying for. Candidates are asked the same questions in the same order and are all compared on the same scale. Completely free trial, no card required. Reach over 250 million candidates.
Which interview are conducted with predetermined questions?Structured interviews are the most systematized type of interview. In contrast to semi-structured or unstructured interviews, the interviewer uses predetermined questions in a set order. Structured interviews are often closed-ended.
What type of interview format is being used when questions are determined ahead of time?A structured interview format means the questions are determined ahead of time, and unstructured means the questions are based on the individual applicant. The advantage of a structured interview is that all candidates are rated on the same criteria.
What is structured interview and unstructured interview?A structured interview is a type of interview that relies on a set of standardized and premeditated questions in order to gather information. On the other hand, an unstructured interview is a type of interview that does not rely on a set of premeditated questions in its data-gathering process.
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