Pre-interview scripting

Definition

Pre-interview scripting is the process of preparing and writing down potential questions, topics, and responses before conducting an interview. This strategy helps interviewers manage the conversation effectively, especially when dealing with challenging interviewees who may become defensive or uncooperative. It serves as a roadmap for the interviewer to guide the discussion and ensure all relevant points are covered while remaining adaptable to the interviewee's reactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pre-interview scripting allows interviewers to anticipate possible responses and prepare follow-up questions, which can be crucial when handling challenging subjects.
2. Effective scripting includes not just questions but also key points the interviewer wants to emphasize or clarify during the conversation.
3. By practicing pre-interview scripts, interviewers can build confidence and reduce anxiety, making them more effective in real-time interviews.
4. Scripting can help interviewers remain focused on their goals and objectives during the interview, avoiding tangents that may arise with difficult personalities.
5. Flexibility is important; while scripts provide structure, interviewers must adapt based on how the interviewee responds to stay engaged and responsive.

Review Questions

• How does pre-interview scripting enhance an interviewer's ability to manage challenging interviewees?
  • Pre-interview scripting enhances an interviewer's ability to manage challenging interviewees by providing a structured framework for the conversation. It allows the interviewer to anticipate difficult topics and prepare appropriate questions and responses. This preparation not only helps in guiding the discussion effectively but also enables the interviewer to maintain control when faced with defensive or evasive answers from the interviewee.
• In what ways can active listening complement pre-interview scripting when dealing with difficult subjects?
  • Active listening complements pre-interview scripting by allowing the interviewer to adjust their approach based on real-time feedback from the interviewee. While a script provides a plan, active listening ensures that the interviewer remains engaged and responsive to unexpected comments or emotions. This combination can lead to deeper insights and more authentic responses, especially in tense situations where an interviewee may feel challenged.
• Evaluate how effective question design within pre-interview scripting can impact the overall success of interviews with challenging subjects.
  • Effective question design within pre-interview scripting can significantly impact the success of interviews with challenging subjects by framing discussions in a way that encourages openness rather than defensiveness. Well-crafted questions that are clear and open-ended can elicit valuable information while minimizing resistance from interviewees. When combined with a thoughtful script, such design allows interviewers to navigate sensitive topics skillfully, fostering a more productive dialogue that can reveal deeper truths about the subject matter.

Related terms

Active Listening: The practice of fully concentrating, understanding, and responding thoughtfully to what the interviewee is saying during an interview.

Question Design: The method of creating specific questions that are clear, open-ended, and tailored to elicit detailed responses from interviewees.

Interview Dynamics: The interplay of factors that influence the flow of an interview, including the relationship between the interviewer and interviewee, their communication styles, and environmental conditions.