Designing Better Interview Conversations

Great interviews don't happen by accident. They're the result of thoughtful design and preparation.

Start with Clear Objectives

Before any interview, define what you're trying to learn. What skills, experiences, or traits are essential for success in this role?

Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. What does success look like in this role?
2. What skills are absolutely required vs. nice-to-have?
3. What cultural attributes matter most?

Structure Without Rigidity

Use a consistent framework while leaving room for natural conversation. This ensures you cover key topics while building rapport.

A good interview structure includes:

• Opening (5 mins): Build rapport, set expectations
• Background (10 mins): Understand their journey
• Skills Deep-Dive (20 mins): Explore relevant experience
• Scenarios (15 mins): Behavioral questions
• Questions (10 mins): Let them ask you

Ask Better Questions

The quality of your questions determines the quality of insights you'll gather.

Focus on past behavior rather than hypotheticals. Past performance is the best predictor of future performance.

Good question examples:

• "Tell me about a time when you had to..."
• "Walk me through how you approached..."
• "What was your specific contribution to..."

Avoid:

• "What would you do if..." (hypothetical)
• "Are you a team player?" (leading)
• Yes/no questions

Create Psychological Safety

Candidates perform best when they feel comfortable. A relaxed candidate will give you more authentic responses and better insights into who they really are.

Start with easier questions, acknowledge their experience, and show genuine interest in their answers.