1. Introduction to interviewing skills Presented by – Date –

2. Aim and objectives
Aim: To explore the nature and features of interviews
Objectives: by the end of the session participants will be able to:
State what distinguishes an interview from other forms of communication
List the main stages of an interview          
Identify the main skills involved in interviewing
Interview colleagues using three main interviewing skills.

3. Introductions
Find a partner - ideally someone you do not know very well
You are going to interview each other finding out the following:
Name
Job role
Experience with interviewing
One piece of extra personal information.
You have three minutes for each interview.
You will each introduce the other person to the group.

4. Trust
Definition: A willingness to ascribe good intentions to and have confidence in the words and actions of other people.
Cook & Wall (1980)
Characteristics:
Uncertainty – a leap of faith
Risk – vulnerability, it may go wrong
Perception – based on our perception of trustworthiness.
Caproni (2005)

5. What is an interview?
A formal meeting / exchange which has:
An implicit / explicit contract
A serious purpose
A two-way exchange
Some agreed outcomes.

6. Stages of an interview? Beginning – building a working alliance
1. Create a friendly, encouraging atmosphere - building rapport
2. Establishing the broad purpose - contracting
Middle – exploring potential and identifying options
3. Gather information and question interviewee
4. Identify the interviewee’s needs
End – identifying goals and follow through
5. Give information to the client
6. Summarise progress made during the interview
7. Clarify the next steps
Adapted from Bimrose, Barnes, Hughes & Orton, (2004) and Bedford (1982)

7. Beginning the interview
Rapport:
Empathetic understanding
Acceptance - unconditional positive regard
Genuine – congruence.
Rogers, C. R. (1967)

8. Body language Non-verbal communication: Facial expressions Eye contact
Body posture
Arms and legs relaxed
Non-verbal sounds – Mmm
Gestures
Nods
Keeping still.

9. Boundaries
Interviewer competence
Interviewer job role
Confidentiality
Purpose of interview
Referral points.

10. Contracting
Contracting means agreeing with the interviewee the nature and scope of the discussion to take place. The interviewer and interviewee both need to be clear about the purpose of the interview and have realistic expectations.
Contracts should cover:
Interviewee’s and interviewer’s agenda
Time available
Scope of interview
Confidentiality issues
Any other activities or support that may be required.

11. Interviewing skills Contracting Active listening Empathy Questioning
Establishing rapport
Contracting
Active listening
Empathy
Questioning
Probing
Summarising
Reflecting
Agreeing next steps
Challenging
Target setting
Managing time.

12. Active listening
Form groups of three - interviewer, interviewee and observer.
You will all play each role
Interviewee to talk for 3-5 minutes.
Interviewer to actively listen and feedback at end of sessions: content, emotions, and perceived motivation of interviewee.
Observer to feedback signs of active listening.
You have 15 minutes for the whole exercise.

13. Interviewing practice
Working in same triads, with same roles, practice a full interview.
Interviewee: talk about an issue you would like to share or about a student’s issue - maintaining confidentiality.
Interviewer: contract, explore the situation, question, probe , summarise and conclude the interview.
Observer: note the skills shown by the interviewer and the interviewee’s responses prompted by these skills. Feedback your results.

14. Summary Objectives – What is an interview?
What are the stages of an interview?
What skills do you need to interview effectively?
Learning – What have you learned personally about your interviewing practice and skills?
Thank you for attending; please complete an evaluation form

15. References
Bimrose, J., Barnes, S., Hughes, D., & Orton, M. (2004) What is effective Guidance? Evidence from Longitudinal Case Studies in England, DfES/ Warwick Institute for Employment Research
Bedford, T. (1982) Vocational Guidance Interviews Explored, London: Careers service Branch, Department of Employment
Caproni, P. Management Skills for Everyday Life New Jersey: Pearson Education
Cook, J. & Wall, T. (1980) “New Work Attitude Measures of Trust, Organizational Commitment and Personal Need Nonfulfillment.” Journal of Occupational Psychology, 53: 39-52
Rogers, C. R. (1967) On Becoming a Person: A Psychotherapist’s View of Psychotherapy, 2nd ed., London: Constable and Company Ltd.