Question Types in Interviews - Selection Interview Skills Series

Questions can be powerful when used appropriately. Find out about the use of open and closed questions and learn how to use situational, behavioural interviewing and probing questions. Find out which questions are problematic and should be avoided.

Key Learning Points

• Closed Questions 
  • Usually lead to yes/no answers
  • May be multiple choice
  • Give you control of the discussion
• Open Questions
  • Use What? Where? Why? How?
  • May begin with “Describe …” “Tell me …”
  • Enable insight into passions and attitudes
  • Can be very challenging
• Situational Questions
  • Pose a hypothetical situation or problem
  • Then ask how they would handle that situation
  • Use scenarios that match the skills required
  • Create a scenario that requires a particular strategy choice
  • Make the scenarios challenging
• Behavioural Questions
  • Focus on one competency e.g. problem solving
  • Ask for an example of a past action in a specific situation
  • Match the competency in the question to the job requirements
  • Ask for specific examples to demonstrate evidence of skills
  • Probe to get specific details
• Probing Questions
  • Probing questions are used to follow up and get more detail
  • Ask specific questions about actions to explore skills
• Problematic Questions
  • Too many questions at once
  • o Leading questions can influence or inhibit responses

This video is part of the Selection Interview Skills Series. A practical series of programs for anyone involved in interviewing. A wide range of case studies will provide useful examples for evaluation, discussion and exploration of key skills. Ideal for managers, team leaders, consultants and trainers.

Target Audience
Managers, Trainers , Executives