The interview’s success largely depends on the traits and qualities of the interviewer. But there is no universally accepted list of qualities of a good or successful interviewer. A good interviewer has ten essential qualities to know about the candidate, find their talent and skills, and evaluate them for the job properly.
The 26 important requirements/qualities/traits of a good, successful interviewer are mentioned below:
26 Qualities of a Good Interviewer
Knowledge about the job
A good interviewer has sufficient knowledge about the job for which he/she is taking the interview.
If the interviewer lacks adequate knowledge regarding job duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required, it would not be possible for him to select the best candidate.
Training and experience
Interviewers should have adequate experience and training to conduct an interview effectively and efficiently.
Listening attentively
Good interviewers are attentive listeners. They listen more than they talk.
The listening tendency helps the interviewer to make a better evaluation. Many interviews fail because the interviewer talks more than listens.
Emotional maturity
The interviewer should be free from biases and undue emotions. He should be able to judge the situation based on logic and wisdom.
Control of anger and aggression
Control of anger, arrogance, or aggression is a fundamental trait of successful interviewers. They should not be aggressive or intimidating.
They should neither misguide the candidate nor react to the applicant’s comments. When the candidate strays from the track of inquiry, a good interviewer guides him back to the point.
Empathetic attitude
Empathy is the ability to understand or share the feelings or attitudes of others. The interviewer’s empathetic attitude helps relieve the applicant’s anxiety and nervousness.
Good interviewers show empathy to the interviewee using a friendly and warm tone.
Ability to recognize the uniqueness
Every interviewee is unique in his/her qualities, character, traits, and experience. A successful interviewer can identify the best combination of individual talents and qualities for a particular job.
Stable personality
Personality is the way through which one can create an impression in the minds of others.
A good interviewer possesses a stable personality so that he/she can treat all the interviewees in the same general way. He should not show any inclination toward any particular interviewee.
Extrovert behavior
Extroverted behavior is another quality of a good interviewer. This quality helps the interviewer to be conversational, frank, and friendly.
Physical stamina
A sound mind goes with good health. The interviewer should possess good physical and mental health to work at stress with many interviewees.
Plan the Interview Carefully
Make a list of information or queries in light of the objectives of the interview that you want to know or ask to the interviewee. You should use it as the outline for the interview.
Welcome the Interviewee
Welcome the candidate exactly the same say you would welcome a friend who visits you at your office or home. Give him a warm smile and talk to him in a friendly tone or voice.
Put the Interviewer at Ease
The interviewer may be nervous. So, you should try to put the interviewee at ease. How can do that? Establish a climate of comfort and rapport with the interviewee. Begin with some friendly talk on a point of common interest. You ask questions about his/her home district, hobbies, interests and past jobs etc.
Keep Distractions Minimum
Keep the physical environment of the interview completely free from all kinds of distraction. Keep the telephone, bell, file work, uninvited entry of anybody, etc off during the interview.
Make the Purpose Clear
Your interviewee should know the purpose of the interview from the beginning. In many situations, the interviewee may know the purpose like job interview. But if he/she does not know it, you should explain the purpose clearly and honestly.
Let the Interviewee Do Most of the Talking
You can get the required information only when the interviewee talks. So, you should let the interviewee do most of the talking. You should talk only to guide the course of the interview. Never put words in their mouths, rather you should try to put them at ease and get them into an informal, relaxed mood.
Guide the Interview
You may need to work to get the interviewee to participate in the session effectively. Thus, you ask specific questions, and you end answers when you have the information you need. In guiding the interview, you will need to handle moments of silence. Brief silence may be all right, but too much silence can be awkward for all concerned.
Listen
You should listen carefully to all that the interviewee says. In addition, you should give the appearance of listening. Your interviewees will be more relaxed and talk more if they feel they have your undivided attention.
Frame Objective Oriented Questions
You should frame your questions in such a manner so that you get adequate responses from the interviewee. Just decide whether open or closed questions will give you the information you want. Avoid directed questions, unless they serve your specific purpose.
Do Not Talk Down the Interviewer
You should not talk down the interviewee. You should choose language that the interviewee understands. Be clear but not condescending.
Give Entire Attention
You should give your entire attention to the interviewee and respond by encouraging facial expressions, movement and expression of the eyes and nods of the head.
Respect Interviewee’s position
Respect the opinion, feeling and point of view of the interviewee even though you consider the person wrong.
Never argue
Do not debate with the interviewee. Never argue with him. Don’t show your surprise or show disapproval.
Sum Up the Interview
Provide some kind of summary of what was decided, discussed, and/or considered in the interview.
Keep a Record
You will need to make a record of the information. You will write down it into a note. Writing may be disturbing to the interviewee, so explain him/her at the beginning of the interview that why you should take notes. But you should write as quickly and unobtrusively as possible. You may record information soon a after the interview.
End the Interview
You as in charge of the interview, you are to end it. You may ask a finalizing type question-one that indicates that the interview is over. Some friendly talk may follow the questioning. Provide the interviewee with a statement of what future action is expected from him or her based on the interview and what is expected from you based on the interview.