In my experience, I have had the fortunate experience to have attended mostly rather informal interviews. The most formal interview I ever attended was during my enlistment process. This was over a decade ago and included a semi-formal interview with both the gentleman who recruited me and his supervisor (at the time, both currently enlisted, a sergeant and staff sergeant respectively). This was followed up with an entire day of basic medical testing, interviews, and aptitude testing. While this was not what one may consider a typical interview, this offered a lot of insight into what a thoroughly prepared interview might feel like.
Aside from this, the few interviews I have felt more like discussions. In my previous position, the gentleman that performed the interview certainly had a list of questions in front of him, but kept the interview very relaxed and maintained it as more of a led discussion rather than a nerve-racking Q&A. I believed at first that this was because I was a recommendation from a colleague, but this turned out to be the way he conducted all interviews (at least for my level of position that is). This person also aided me in structuring interviews as I took on the role of hiring within my team. For the most part, both of these were good experiences.
As my past interviews were so long ago and good experiences, I would make recommendations to myself and other interviewers, based on the interviews I have conducted in the past years and the mistakes I have made:
- Locate and schedule a location for the interview.
Do not just assume a location to be open because a space is commonly open. If the space is occupied, this will lead you to an impromptu site and cause issues for both the interviewer and interviewee.
- Prepare your questions in advance.
Give yourself plenty of time in advance to write, review, and rewrite all your questions. Build them around both the position and character traits you are searching for.
- Have a trusted individual review your questions.
Both a supervisor and HR can help in this process, to guide you in the right direction. In my experience, most HR folks want to help you succeed (especially as it saves them work due to issues that could be prevented).
- During the interview: Gently lead.
Interviewees are there for a purpose, and that is to be interviewed by you. Be prepared to lead the discussion in the manner you need.
- After the interview is conducted: expand upon notes while the information is fresh. Do not put this off till later.
Preparation is the key to a good and positive interview, for both the interviewer and interviewee. The more work you put into preparing, the better you will know your candidates and the easier it will be to make good hiring decisions.
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