When do we use direct interview questions?
With so much emphasis on asking open-ended questions during interviews, recruiters had forgotten that direct questions are as important.
When do we use Direct Questions?
1. At the very beginning
Candidates are usually nervous in the interview until he or she starts to speak. One of the interviewer’s goals is to get the candidate to talk as early as possible in the interview process. Direct questions are thus amazingly effective. Some examples I often used:-
PJ can be pretty crowded. Did you have any trouble looking for a parking?
Would you like to have a cup of water?
Would you like to visit the washroom first before we begin?
2. A specific information or fact is required
There are two strategies that you can use. The first is to use direct questions like salt and pepper – sprinkled throughout the interview and never back-to-back. This strategy is known as the one-two approach. The second strategy is to use an introductory phrase so that the direct question is somewhat disguised.
Examples of the first strategy:-
Direct question: Do you have any experience dealing with angry customers?
Candidate: Yes.
Open-ended question: What specific techniques do you use for handling such situations?
Direct question: How many people were there on your team?
Candidate: Seven.
Open-ended question: What specific role did you play?
Direct question: Are you the kind of person who likes challenges?
Candidate: Yes.
Open-ended question: How do you like to be challenged?
Examples of the second strategy:-
Direct question: How many jobs have you had in the past five years?
Introductory phrase: I’d be interested to learn how many jobs you’ve held over the past several years.
Direct question: How often did you get together with your boss to set goals?
Introductory phrase: In your working experience, how often did you and your boss get together to set goals?
Direct question: When did you get your last salary increase?
Introductory phrase: I wonder, do you recall the date of your last salary increase?
Suppose, because her company was not doing well, the candidate has had no raise for two years. So, when the question, “When did you get your last salary increase?” the candidate could immediately exhibits some defensive language. On the other hand, if you say, “I wonder if you recall the date of your last salary increase?” you are much more likely to get a non defensive, informational response.
Source Rosenberg, DeAnne Hiring the Best Person For Every Job, 115-117. Wiley, 2000
