The Art of an Interview

Since Corona, there is a lot of discussion about job loss and finding a new job. It is amazing how a pandemic changes the way in which we deal with joblessness. It has always had a more shameful association with it and was not as widely discussed. Searching for a job and dealing with the associated trials and traumas was a more silent and painful journey; where as how it seems to be’ trending’ and Linkedin is full of articles and advice. It is normal and acceptable!.

Closely related is the humorous commentary about the seeming novelty of online interviews. For those on the international teaching circuit, this has been a norm for decades! There is no doubt that a face to face situation is far better, but if seeking work abroad, this is not always possible.

There is no doubt the interview needs to be ethical in that the same questions are asked of an interviewee in order for answers to be compared and discussed to select the best suited candidate for the position 

Yet, often an interview can come across as what can be referred to as an old school style scenario with the selected questions to establish knowledge base, skills, as well some justification, examples, evidence to support claims. And so, a ‘ checkbox ‘ of information is gathered. 

But, what exactly has been gathered as my friend just recently questioned, after she had been interviewed in this robotic style? Her concern was that it is very easy to prep answers, convey them and in doing so the formal procedure had been fulfilled. However, what exactly has the interviewer really learnt about the interviewee, in what makes them function, who they really are, and how are they are going to connect with the team?

When there is so much discussion about soft skills, team work, and connectivity, these aspects can hardly be ascertained in this mechanical like investigation.

So many times has my own experience been similar whereby a string of questions have been asked, copious notes have been taken, and then the opportunity to have any real dialogue has come in the very last 5 minutes accompanied by the feeling that time has run out and the director needs to head off to the next task. 

The impression created again is that it was a tick box assessment. And I have often asked myself the question as to why was I not sent a questionnaire, so all tick box fields could have been completed prior to the ‘interview’ which could then take on a more humane stance. It has also raised questions as to the values and practices of the institution and whether this is the way employees are treated.

To capture a glimpse of the real person rather than the prepped candidate, there needs to be time to dialogue and to almost ‘ go off piste’ for the candidate reveal a little more of him or herself, so the interviewer can garner if the person does fit with the mission of the company, the other members of the team and have depth of knowledge.

My interview technique is anything but conventional. The usual questions are asked but much more needs to be established, especially the connection, a sense of common understanding, and the seeds of trust.

The exchange is to discover the highlights in the person’s life, languages spoken, pastimes, as well de-stressing strategies, areas being worked upon, exercise patterns, so a bigger picture of the person can be developed.

The tone of the interview is a friendly exchange of information in the form of a two way dialogue. In addition, the interview is one of a couple which would then be with the experts working with the potential candidate, and, in the case of a school, there could be a student panel. This allows for a far wider breath of feedback and a better possibility of finding out about the real person.

The interviewee also needs to come away feeling s/he have gathered enough information and an impression to know if the job situation is one that meets his/her hopes and needs. 

When hiring internationally, a candidate is not just changing their job, but their home, friends, the lives of their family, and so there needs to be a trust and honesty as a person or a family’s life is at stake. Time needs to be invested, so both parties have an a genuine feel for each other, the position, and the institution. 

And a final comment, it is important to maintain the old fashioned protocols of an email exchange to thank each other for the time and experience, so the interviewee feels valued as there is so much emotional investment that needs to respected. And for the interviewer, it reinforces that a company’s values are real and mere words on a page. It also allows for any last minute follow ups or reinforcements.

An interview is not just a business transaction, but a walk and talk with a person which may or may not turn into a longer journey travelled together.