Introduction

The most popular selection technique is the interview. The key to a successful interview is careful planning.

An interview is a face to face meeting between employer and potential employee.

It is an opportunity to obtain and assess information about a job applicant, which hopefully will enable a valid assessment to be made of likely future success and performance in the position. It gives you a chance to evaluate the applicant’s ability to do the job and satisfy your requirements. At the end of the interview you should be able to:

• evaluate the applicant’s personality, appearance and attitude
• confirm and expand upon the details provided in the application form or résumé
• obtain a clear indication of the applicant’s normal job behaviour and relate it to the job in question
• assess the likely future job performance of the applicant, compared to other applicants.

An interview should be aimed at obtaining a representative sample of the applicant’s normal job behaviour and relate it to the job in question.

The purpose of any interview is to get information from applicants and assess the applicant’s suitability for the job.

It is also about giving the applicant information so they too can make an informed choice as to whether or not they want the job. It is a chance for the applicants to see whether your business and the job opportunity satisfy their needs. The applicants will want as much information about the position and your business as possible so that they can make an informed decision whether the job is right for them.

Your selection committee will help you write questions that you will use in the interview.