The True Purpose of an Interview: Revealing Insights or Just a First Glance?

When asked, Do you agree that an interview is meant to tell you as much as possible about the person you are interviewing? it might seem like an easy yes. However, upon closer examination, the goal of an interview is more nuanced and limited. While interviews do offer valuable insights, they are not designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of a person. Rather, they focus on assessing relevant qualifications, skills, and behavioral suitability for a role.

Aiming for a Specific Goal

Introducing the idea that an interview is meant to tell you as much about a person as possible contains a critical trap. What we can truly know about a candidate in the span of an interview is relatively limited, and reliant on our observational skills and judgment. Sure, we might delve into their past experiences, present abilities, and other relevant qualifications. But, this is far from a complete picture. The main goal of an interview is to showcase the person's professionalism, competence, and interviewing skills. Any additional information is not the interviewer's primary responsibility.

Right Focus: Relevant Qualifications

When we analyze the true purpose of an interview, it's clear that the primary focus should be on the relevant qualifications. An interview is designed to evaluate a candidate's capabilities, experience, and suitability for the job. While it might seem tempting to inquire about a wide range of topics such as race, religion, age, or gender, it is not only irrelevant but also a grave mistake to include such factors in the assessment. These topics should be strictly off-limits, as doing so could lead to discriminatory practices and undermine the fairness and integrity of the hiring process.

Poor Conduct vs. Qualitative Information

It is important to understand that an interview can reveal a great deal, even in a poorly-conducted one. However, this information might be irrelevant in determining the candidate's fit for the role. Conducting interviews early in a career, as a recruiter, often exposed such irrelevant details. This is natural, and hiring managers should be aware that no matter how well-conducted an interview is, the candidate might still present a version of themselves that is influenced by the interviewing style and environment. The key is to conduct the interview with a clear and unbiased purpose, focusing on the job competencies and qualifications rather than unrelated aspects.

Beyond the Surface: Behavioral and Attitudinal Insights

While an interview can provide valuable insights into a candidate's abilities, it can also offer a glimpse into their behavioral and attitudinal traits. However, the extent to which these are revealed depends significantly on the interviewer's approach and the candidate's comfort level. If the interviewer is hostile, interrupts the candidate, or focuses only on addressing their job problems, the chances of a candid and open conversation are slim. Such behavior can lead to the candidate providing only stock answers, which might accurately reflect their job competencies but not their true character or potential fit within the team.

On the other hand, creating a comfortable and supportive environment can encourage the candidate to open up. This not only helps in assessing their actual capabilities but also in gauging their suitability and alignment with the company culture. By focusing on building rapport and ensuring the interview is a shared experience, interviewers can uncover essential information that goes beyond the resume and application form.

In conclusion, while an interview can provide valuable insights, its primary purpose is to assess relevant qualifications and behavioral competencies. The assumption that an interview is meant to reveal everything about a candidate is misguided. A well-conducted interview, focused on the right parameters, can indeed provide essential information, but it must be balanced with an understanding of the interviewer's biases and the candidate's comfort level. The true art of interviewing lies in balancing these elements to make a fair and informed hiring decision.