By,

B. Rajni Rao
HR0154/0077/S18
When you split the word ‘interview’ you get two
words, ‘inter’ and ‘view’. This roughly translates to
‘between view’ or seeing each other. This means that
both the groups involved in an interview get to know
about one another. No wonder, Interviewing has been
called an ART, and there is no doubt that it calls for
insight and creativity. But it is also a SCIENCE, and in
order for it to achieve truly and effective results for
the organisation, it requires – Process, Methods
& Consistency.
• It helps to verify the information provided by the
candidate. It helps to ascertain the accuracy of
provided facts and information about the candidate.
• What the candidate has written in the resume are the
main points. What other additional skill set does he
have? All these are known by conducting interviews.
• It not only gives the interviewer information about the
candidate’s technical knowledge but also gives an
insight into his much needed creative and analytical
skills.
• It helps in establishing the mutual relation between the
employee and the company.
• It is useful for the candidate so that he comes to know
about his profession, the type of work that is expected
from him and he gets to know about the company.
• It is beneficial for the interviewer and the interviewee
as individuals, because both of them gain experience,
both professionally and personally.
• It helps the candidate assess his skills and know where
he lacks and places where he needs improvement.
• It also helps the company build its credentials and
image among the employment seeking candidates.
A job interview is a type of employment test that involves a conversation
between a job applicant and representative of the employing organization.
Interviews are one of the most popularly used devices for employee
selection. Interviews vary in the extent to which the questions are
structured, from totally unstructured and free-wheeling conversation; to a
set list of questions each applicant is asked. Research has shown that
structured interviews are more valid than unstructured, that is, they are
more accurate in predicting which applicants will make good employees.

Interview is formal, in-depth conversation conducted to evaluate the

applicant’s acceptability. It is
considered to be excellent selection device. It is face-to-face exchange of
views, ideas and opinions between the candidates and the interviewers.

Basically, interview is nothing but an oral examination of candidates.

Interview can be adapted to
unskilled, skilled, managerial and professional employees.
 Informal interview  Sequential interview
 Formal interview  Structured interview
 Non directive  Unstructured
interview interview
 Depth interview  Mixed interview
 Telephonic interview
 Stress interview
 Video interview
 Group interview  Biographical
 Panel interview interview
 Easy correction of speech: Any misunderstanding and mistake can
be rectified easily in an interview. Because the interviewer and
interviewee physically present before the interview board.
 Development of relationship: Relation between the interviewer and
the interviewee can be developed through an interview. It increases
mutual understanding and co-operation between the parties.
 Selection of suitable candidate: Suitable candidates can be selected
through interview because the interview can know a lot about the
candidate by this process.
 Sufficient information: Sufficient information can be collected
through the interview process. Because the interviewer can ask any
question to the interviewee.
 Time saving: Interview can help to save time to select the best
suitable candidate. Within a very short time communication can be
accomplished with the interview.
 Increasing knowledge: Any interview increases the knowledge of
both the interviewer and the interviewee. They can interchange
their views and ideas.
 Explore cause behind the problem: In business, executives need to
solve different types of problems. To explore or to find out the
actual reasons behind the problem interview method can be used.
 In depth analysis: Through planed interviews detailed information
can be collected which enables proper analysis of a problem.
Abstract factors like attitudes, feelings, opinion etc. Can be
successfully evaluated or analyzed through interviews.
 Solving labour problems: Labour unrest and other disputes are
very common in the industries. Sometimes human resource
managers use the interview as a means of revealing actual causes
behind the labour deputes.
 Collection of primary information: Interview can help to collect the
fresh, new and primary information as needed.
 Incomplete process: Suitable candidate can not be selected by
interview only. The written test is more important than the
interview.
 No record: In the case of the interview some confusion may be
arisen in the future as, there is no evidence actually that have been
discussed at interview.
 Lack of attention: Much attention is required for a good interview.
But sometimes it is observed that both the interviewer and the
interviewee are less attentive. That is why real information cannot
be collected.
 Disappointed: Interviewee may be disappointed while she or he
faces the interviewer’s questions which are not related to the field.
That is why suitable candidate may be neglected.
 Biases of interviewer: Always there is a possibility that the
interview process can be influenced by the biases of the
interviewer.
 Costly: Generally interview method is expensive.
 Inefficiency of the interviewer: Interview is a systematic process of
data collection. The success of an interview depends on the
efficiency of the interviewer. This inefficiency of an interviewer can
lead to misleading results.
 Not suitable for personal matters: Personal matters may not be
revealed by interview method.
 Time consuming: Time constrain is one of the major limitations of
the interview process. Preparation for the interview, taking
interviews and interpretation of the responses required much time,
which makes the interview method time consuming.