How to Prepare for a People Interview

If you’re facing a people interview, it’s critical to prepare well. Avoid distractions, create an agenda, and avoid faking it. Following these tips will help you ace your interview. Listed below are some ways you can prepare effectively for your people interview. Keep reading for more information. In addition, you can also read our guide to faking it. We’ll show you how to nail your next job interview.

Prepare for a people interview

To prepare for a people interview, you should research the company you are applying to. Researching a company’s background can help you answer questions that are likely to raise your interest. Read about the company’s culture and recent news releases. Find out what challenges the company faces and what its competitors are up to. Research the company’s customer base and read reviews from Google and Yelp. You can use this information to build rapport with the interviewer.

Avoid distractions

If you are conducting an interview with someone on the phone, you should find a quiet place to conduct the interview. Be sure to check for any background noise on the phone as it may interfere with the interviewer’s ability to hear the candidate clearly. The noise may even be loud enough to hurt the interviewer’s ears. The last thing you want is to hear yourself talking! If you are unsure of how to avoid distractions when interviewing people, here are some tips for you.

Create an agenda

Creating an agenda for a people interview is a key part of the hiring process. A well-planned agenda will ensure that questions are relevant and useful. The goal of an agenda is to get the best possible answers to the most important questions you need to ask the candidates. The agenda will help you align your questions with the job posting and gauge the interest of the candidates. This way, you can avoid wasting your time on questions that will not be of much use.

Avoid faking

Faking is a common way for applicants to increase their chances of being hired. Several conceptualizations of faking are relevant for understanding why applicants engage in this behavior. Levashina and Campion (2006) developed a conceptual framework for faking in interviews that considers the capacity, willingness, and opportunity to falsify. Faking is a form of social impersonation, and there are several cultural dimensions that may be associated with it.

Set a time limit

A good rule of thumb for phone interviews is to keep the interview under 10 minutes. There are exceptions, of course, but generally speaking, people are less likely to engage in conversation on the phone. Be extra motivational and identify yourself before the interview, and ask permission to record the interview. Write down the information you hear and identify your credentials as you ask. If you want to get the most out of the interview, consider bringing along materials to prepare the interviewee.

Avoid general terms

While you may feel the urge to list off various certifications and achievements, you should never use general terms when interviewing people. Be circumspect and pay attention to the person you are interviewing. Inexperienced interviewers tend to put forth another question, or keep the air brimming with words. Avoid these mistakes at all costs, and you’ll have a more enjoyable interview. Here are some tips to avoid general terms in your interview.

Ask role-specific questions

The interview is a two-way street: the interviewer is looking for answers to questions that show the hiring manager how well you’ll fit into the company. In return, they’re inviting you to ask them anything. So what questions should you ask? A good question is one that relates to your particular job role and the overall functioning of the company. It also lets you dial in on the job’s expectations and the potential for growth.