How to Write an Interview Question
Writing an effective interview question is a crucial skill for any interviewer, as it can significantly impact the quality of the interview process. A well-crafted question can help you gather valuable insights about the candidate, while a poorly designed one might lead to irrelevant or unproductive discussions. In this article, we will explore the key factors to consider when writing an interview question, ensuring that you can ask questions that are both insightful and fair.
Understand the Purpose of the Question
Before you start writing an interview question, it’s essential to understand the purpose behind it. Is the question designed to assess the candidate’s technical skills, soft skills, cultural fit, or previous work experience? Knowing the objective will help you frame the question in a way that aligns with your assessment criteria.
Be Clear and Concise
A good interview question should be clear and concise, making it easy for the candidate to understand and respond. Avoid using jargon or complex terminology that might confuse the candidate. The question should be straightforward and directly related to the assessment criteria.
Open-Ended vs. Closed-Ended Questions
Open-ended questions encourage candidates to provide detailed answers, giving you a better understanding of their thought process and communication skills. On the other hand, closed-ended questions can be used to gather specific information or to narrow down the candidate’s responses. Use a mix of both types of questions to gather a comprehensive understanding of the candidate.
Example of a Well-Crafted Interview Question
Consider the following example of a well-crafted interview question:
“Can you describe a challenging project you’ve worked on in the past, and how you overcame the obstacles you faced?”
This question is clear, concise, and open-ended, allowing the candidate to provide a detailed response. It also helps you assess the candidate’s problem-solving skills, resilience, and ability to communicate effectively.
Avoid Leading and Loaded Questions
Leading questions are those that suggest the desired answer, which can lead to biased responses. Loaded questions are those that contain emotional words or assumptions that might influence the candidate’s answer. Avoid these types of questions to ensure a fair and unbiased assessment.
Consider the Context
The context of the question is also important. Ensure that the question is relevant to the role and the company culture. A question that is too generic or unrelated to the job might not yield valuable insights.
Practice and Refine
Writing an effective interview question is a skill that can be developed with practice. Experiment with different types of questions and observe the responses you receive. This will help you refine your questioning technique and improve the overall quality of your interviews.
In conclusion, writing an interview question requires careful consideration of the purpose, clarity, and fairness of the question. By following these guidelines, you can create a more effective and insightful interview process for both you and the candidate.
