Communication: Interviewer Essay

INTRODUCTION An interview is generally regarded as the kind of meeting which occurs when someone applies for a job. This is certainly an important kind of interview which many people encounter during their work life. All interviews need careful preparation, which should cover areas like, considering the purpose of the interview, gathering the necessary information, planning a suitable setting for the interview and thinking of the people who will be involved. Contaminants refer to those that which render impure or unsuitable by contact or mixture. There are various factors that contaminate the interview process. An effective interviewer is responsible for reducing the contaminants to the interview process. Most often, the greatest obstacle to an effective interview is the interviewer him/herself. The interviewer is supposed to focus on the subject as the person who will provide him with the information he seeks. The interviewer concentrates on establishing rapport, listening effectively, analyzing the subject verbal and non-verbal communication and grading how much or how little the subject is telling you. The aspects that are going to be covered include that which are caused by the interviewer and the person being interviewed and how they affect the interview process Some statistics suggest that as little as 10 to 20 percent of our communication is made up of our words, 30% by our sound while 60% is by body language. The greater influence will come as a result of non-verbal communication Circumstances the situation in which an exchange takes place has a lot to do with the impression you convey and thus the overall message which the other person receives, circumstances include factors such as the amount of preparation you have done for the discussion, whether you have arrived late for an interview, have not read relevant letters or papers. Whenever you arrange an interview or a meeting then make sure that the circumstances are such that there will be no interruptions, that you arrived on time and you have done the necessary preparations Arrangement of the room The interviewer should arrange the physical layout of the room so that the difference in ranks between him and the interviewer is empahsized.if on the other hand the two sit at the table or in easy chairs in a different room the air of equality will be created and it will impact negatively on the interview. Another essential point is that all participants should be able to see the other. Eye contact should be possible for everyone who takes part otherwise communication will be very limited and ineffective. Physical appearance ‘Dress like a professional and you are likely to be treated as one† (yate, 1986) the moment we set our eyes on someone, our minds make evaluations and judgments with lightening speed. The same is true for potential employers and employees. The interviewer should wear appropriate clothing for the interview, the interviewer can dress up or dress down too much.bussiness attire can send signals of formality and professionalism. Overdressing sets a serious mood which may contribute to stress on the part of the subject.one of the goals of the interviewer is to minimize stress and develop rapport. Appropriate attire vary from industry to industry, in all instances, our clothing are sending a message about our image, and the image we want to convey is one of reliability, trust and attention to detail. Grooming is important and it makes an important first impression about the interviewer’s attitude toward the subject†¦Ã¢â‚¬ how you dress makes an important statement not only about what you think of yourself but also how you regard the person or the people you are talking to†(sillars 1988) Most of us are far more adept at recognizing the dress mistakes of others than at spotting our own sartorial failings. When we do look for a second option, we often make the mistakes of asking only a loved one. It’s not that our loved ones don’t lack taste in clothing or attire, this people are more in tune with our positive qualities than the rest of the world and so, frequently, they do not recognize how essential it is to recognize those qualities in our dress. Better candidates for evaluation of your dress are trusted friends who have proved their objectivity in such matters. Hand written notes It might be at times advisable not to write down notes at the ties the individual tells the interviewer something sensitive. The interviewer might consider devoting his attention to the subject and writing down the sensitive information after the conversation has moved away from the sensitive area. As part of developing rapport, it might be best to at least initiate an interview without taking notes. This can enhance the communication process. If the circumstances dictate that the interviewer not take notes during the initial phase of the interview, the interviewer can review the relevant facts with the subject and make notes of those facts at the time of the review†¦Ã¢â‚¬ a lack of response clarity and poor grammar were  among the most often cited communication inadequacies observed during employment interviews† (Peterson, 1997) Multiple subjects or interviews The interviewer should not attempt to interview two or more people at a go unless there is no any other option. It is more difficult to control an interview with two or more subjects. One subject may be more embarrass themselves in front of a peer. The environment for confidential communication will adversely be affected. Unless there is a matter that requires two or more interviewers, it is advisable that one interviewer conduct the interview. It is not possible to establish rapport and the same level of confidence in two interviewers at the same time. Interview schedule and length The length and the number of times an individual may be interviewed sends signals to the balance of the group interviewed in situations where the interviewees are from the same organization As the interviews are conducted, factors such as the length of the interview, the sequence in which the individuals are interviewed and the number of times the interviewer conducts follow-ups may impact on the interview. Conclusion The main purpose of an interview is to get your views on a topic or to gain a general idea of how the interviewees view your company, organization or establishment. Giving a false impression will make the potential employees lose faith and trust that they had for that company and qualified candidates may turn down a job on the virtue of not having confidence in you. Sending the right nonverbal signals and showing interest without anxiety will convey a sense of involvement and commitment. Most often, the greatest obstacle to an effective interview is the interviewer him/herself. The interviewer is supposed to focus on the subject as the person who will provide him with the information he seeks. An effective interviewer is responsible for reducing the contaminants to the interview process. Everyone needs to be aware of the elements and the principals involved. The interviewer concentrates on establishing rapport, listening effectively, analyzing the subject verbal and non-verbal communication and grading how much or how little the subject is telling you. _References_ _Baran, (2004) introduction to mass communication, McGraw hill companies New York_ _Harter, nelson, Pearson, titsworth (2003) human communication, McGraw hill companies New York_ _Michael gamble, Teri gamble, (2002) how communication works, McGraw hill companies New York_ _Sillars (1988), success in communication, john Murray (publishers) ltd, London_ _Sillars (1981) communication rules ok! John Murray (publishers) ltd, London_ _Yate, (1986) great answers to tough interview questions 7th edition, kogan page limited, London_