The Manager's Pocket Guide to Leadership Skills

Conducting the Interview

When conducting the interview, an organized approach must be followed if you want to get all the information you need in the allotted time. The following organizational format will ensure that you get to the most critical questions.

1.  Welcome/greeting. The purpose is to welcome the applicant and put him or her at ease. Welcome the applicant with a smile and a handshake. Introduce yourself. Offer coffee, water, or other refreshment and guide the applicant to the interview location. Once you are both seated and ready to begin the interview, start the conversation with “small talk” to get the applicant to talk, “break the ice,” and “open up.” This might include, “How was the traffic coming in this morning?” or any other ...