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Human Resources Policy Manual

GETTING ANSWERS TO YOUR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

If the candidate gives you….

SILENCE: The candidate finds it difficult to answer your question, so they answer it with silence. Consider:

  • Calculated Pause: Silence makes most people uncomfortable, but it is important to not break the silence by talking. Wait approximately 15 seconds before reacting. This gives the candidate extra time to think.
  • “You’re Okay” Statement: If the candidate starts to look uncomfortable, assure them that it is okay to take time to respond. Use verbal messages (eg. I realize that it is difficult to recall examples. That’s Okay, most people need time to think.) or non-verbal messages (eg. smile or a nod of your head).
  • Repeating the Question: If the candidate still cannot respond to your question, restate the question using different words. This may help to elicit a response.

THE BLUFF: The candidate insists that this never or always occurs and so citing a specific example would be impossible. Consider:

  • Sympathetic Persistence: Let the candidate know that thinking of a response is not always easy, but that you are interested in a specific example (eg. I know that it is tough to come up with an example, but could you think of a time recently when you used those skills?).
  • Repeating the Question: Restating the question helps to clear up any difficulties in understanding, demonstrates your persistence and allows candidate more time to think of a response.
  • Calculated Pause: After the question has been restated, the candidate may still need more time to prepare their response. Use a calculated pause to give the candidate the time they require.

THE SLIP: The candidate talks about generalities, opinions and experience. Consider:

  • Assumed Responsibility: When a behaviour description answer is not forthcoming, the interviewer can point out that the response being given is not what is needed and that the responsibility for the error was probably the interviewer’s fault. This gives the candidate another chance to respond.
  • Repeating the Question: It is appropriate to follow Assumed Responsibility by restating the question, and emphasize the need for a description of a specific situation.
  • Calculated Pause/Sympathetic Persistence: Pause to allow the candidate to answer or persist asking the question. This may be helpful in eliciting the desired response.

RAMBLING: The candidate starts talking about other unrelated topics to the information you are seeking. Consider:

  • Clipping: You must cue the candidate as to when to keep talking, when to stop even if this means “clipping” the candidate’s comments as they are finishing a sentence. A tactful way to do this often starts with the person’s name, a compliment, or an explanation. eg: George, I appreciate your giving me so much info, and I need you to talk about…or…George, I apologize if it seems abrupt, but I want to shift our attention to (blank) and proceed to the next question (ask next question).