The Interviewer's Pocketbook

Table of contents

Understanding interviews

What is an interview?, why good interviews matter, the interview challenge, what makes a successful interview?, common interview mistakes, which skills do you need?

Questioning techniques

A word of warning, types of questions, open questions, closed questions, evidence questions, hypothetical questions, probing questions, gathering complete information, blockbusting questions, framing questions, challenge questions, reflective questions, additional questioning skills, keeping the interviewee on track, silence

Questions to avoid

Leading questions, psychology questions, discriminatory questions, self-appraisal questions, brainteaser questions, multiple questions

Listening techniques

Good listening skills, the 30/70 rule, listening barriers, taking notes, hearing clearly, paralinguistics

Understanding body language

Using body language, postures and gestures, eye contact, orientation, proximity, looks/appearance, expressions of emotion, interpreting body language, using your body language, mirroring body posture, echoing talking speed

Preparing for the interview

The candidate's information, the job description, the job specification, quantifying the job specification, preparing evidence questions, preparing answers, shortlisting applicants, scheduling the interview, preparing the interview room

Conducting the interview

Meeting the candidate, opening the interview, the interview process, an interview example, answering candidate's questions, closing the interview, evaluating candidates, reference checking, follow-up

About the authors

Sean McManus writes inspiring books about business and technology. He is co-author of The Customer Service Pocketbook. His other books include Web Design in Easy Steps, iPad for the Older and Wiser, Scratch Programming in Easy Steps, and Raspberry Pi For Dummies. His magazine contributions have appeared in Marketing Week, Customer Loyalty Today and Business 2.0 among others.

John Townsend is recognised as a leading trainer of trainers. He is founder of the Master Trainer Institute, which draws trainers and facilitators from around the world. He set up the institute after 30 years' experience in international consulting and human resources management positions in the UK, France, the United States and Switzerland - notably as European Director of Executive development with GTE in Geneva, where he had training responsibility for over 800 managers in 15 countries.