Crafting interview questions is an art earned not through some degrees or courses but through experience. This is why expert recruiters are always in demand, as they know the art of asking the right questions, which will ensure that they can hire the best and most suitable talent for the company. However, as mentioned earlier, crafting good questions is not easy as there is no guaranteed recipe for success, and it depends on from interview to interview.
Interview questions help us learn about a person’s skills, enthusiasm, and how well they might do in a job. Interviews are like a conversation where both sides learn about each other. Asking good questions shows that you’re interested and ready.
And a Interview guide helps us figure out if the job and the company are a good match for the person. So, it’s like a teamwork puzzle where both sides try to find the right fit.
So, let’s decode this art of job interview – where questions have the power to enrich the entire experience.
Evidence Based Interview For Smart Hiring
According to research conducted by recruitment expert Robert Half, 61% of employers have compromised by hiring candidates who didn’t adequately fit the job role. This has resulted in hindered growth and increased costs for businesses.
But today, interviews have evolved through data-driven insights. Interviews transcend guesswork, shaped by comprehensive data analysis. Candidate skills, motivations, and potential guide the process, ensuring a precise match. This approach transforms interviews into strategic dialogues, enabling both parties to assess compatibility. By harnessing data, smarter interviews minimize pitfalls and safeguard against costly hiring errors.
One of the first questions while trying to ascertain the question of smart hiring is what is the format of the interview. Mainly companies follow two approach of interview questioning
- Structured interviews
- Unstructured interviews
Structured interviews
Under the Structured interview, a standardized set of questions is created for a specific job posting. The format of the structured interview remains the same irrespective of the candidates. It is because the philosophy of structured interview is that every candidate should be treated fairly and asking every candidate the same questions allows the interviewer to observe how each of them approached the situation.
The structured interview format is considered as a great way in combating bias which can be highly detrimental to the hiring process. Under this format, the interviewer has to create a list of questions that covers as many topics as possible as they do not have the luxury of asking additional questions.
Unstructured interviews
Meanwhile the unstructured interview works on an open format where questions can greatly vary from interview to interview. This format does not follow the strict standardized script like the structured interview. The flow of such interviews depends on how the conversation goes which is a double edged sword as it greatly depends on factors that are highly volatile.
However, it does allow the recruiter to test each candidate to their strengths and weaknesses which in some conditions can be more efficient to the structured interview format/ However, the risk of bias seeping into the system is so high that companies usually use this method in specific circumstances.
Data-Driven Candidate Profiling
One of the best ways companies can improve their hiring experience is by leveraging data to identify patterns and loopholes in their recruitment process. There is a reason data is called new oil, and the amount of data being collected today can help a company be apprised of many things that are simply impossible to physically discover. The first thing companies can do is to use an Application Tracker System (ATS), which helps track all the activities along with the interview questions that were asked in the interview.
Informed Decision-Making
By infusing interviews with data-driven insights, BarRaiser empowers hiring teams to make informed decisions. This strategic approach helps companies assess candidate suitability beyond surface impressions, reducing the chances of mismatched hires.
Enhanced Interview Experience
With BarRaiser, interviews become a collaborative dialogue. Both candidates and companies engage in meaningful discussions, assessing compatibility on multiple levels. This approach fosters a positive experience and enables better alignment between candidates’ aspirations and the company’s needs.
“Story from the Frontlines: The Lending Platform”
“We have a live example to share with the readers. Once observed, a Hiring manager at a lending platform posed what appeared to be a basic geometry question, but it was far from simple. This question served as a doorway to grasp a candidate’s quantitative thinking and their methodical approach to solving problems using mathematics. This exemplified evidence-based interviewing, uncovering the core attributes of the role.
The hiring manager was clearly excited while discussing the question. He wasn’t just looking for a technical answer; he wanted to see if candidates truly understood the math and could apply it practically.
This example shows us how to create questions that dig deeper.
“So, the question here arises is: How to craft interview questions?”
Creating Interview Questions: Simple Steps
Here are some real examples that show how to prepare important interview questions-
Question | What | Why | Follow-Up Suggestions |
Describe a situation where you had to work under a tight deadline. How did you handle it? | Evaluate time management and pressure handling. | To understand the candidate’s ability to prioritize and perform under stress. | Ask about the outcome and what they would do differently next time. |
How do you ensure that you remain updated with the latest industry trends? | Check the candidate’s commitment to continuous learning. | Ascertain if the candidate is proactive in staying ahead in their field. | Inquire about specific sources, methods, or examples of recent learnings. |
Can you give an example of a difficult decision you had to make and how you arrived at it? | Assess decision-making and critical thinking skills. | Learn about the candidate’s ability to analyze, evaluate, and choose the best course of action. | Probe into the impact of the decision and any lessons learned. |
How do you deal with failure? Give an example. | Evaluate resilience and learning from failure. | Understand the candidate’s mindset and ability to bounce back from setbacks. | Ask how they applied what they learned in subsequent situations. |
Tell me about a team project you’ve worked on. What was your role? | Analyze teamwork and collaboration skills. | Assess how the candidate fits into a team dynamic and their leadership potential. | Inquire about the team’s success, challenges, and how they were overcome. |
How would you explain [technical concept] to a non-technical person? | Assess communication and teaching ability. | Gauge how the candidate can bridge technical and non-technical worlds, vital for collaboration. | Have them actually explain a concept and provide feedback. |
What is your approach to handling conflicts with colleagues? | Assess conflict resolution and interpersonal skills. | Understand how the candidate navigates professional disagreements and maintains relationships. | Ask for specific examples and outcomes. |
Can you describe a time when you took the initiative to solve a problem? | Evaluate initiative, problem-solving, and creativity. | Learn about the candidate’s proactiveness and ability to take charge when needed. | Probe into the impact and the response from others involved. |
How do you prioritize your work? Give examples. | Assess organizational and prioritization skills. | Understand how the candidate manages multiple tasks and responsibilities. | Inquire about tools or methods used and how they adapt to changes. |
How BarRaiser Structure Interview Process?
BarRaiser structures the interview process by simplifying the entire journey. It begins with selecting the specific job role, identifying key skills, and allowing easy customization. Leveraging AI, the tool offers optimization suggestions, while also seamlessly integrating BarRaiser for enhanced assessments. You can effortlessly define, save, and manage evaluation parameters, ensuring a streamlined process that aligns with your values and leads to unparalleled success.

Forging Links: How Questions Shape Culture
Interview questions are more than just tools. They act like bridges, connecting job seekers to a company’s culture and what it believes in. These questions show what the company stands for and its main goals. They help us see what’s really important to the company and guide how they make choices.
Closing Thoughts
The world of job interviews is vast, varied, and often not fully grasped. It’s like a dance where grace, understanding, and precision are needed—a dance that leads to the perfect match.
Creating interview questions is both an art and a science, a skill that goes beyond just being professional; it’s a journey into the potential of human capabilities. By embracing evidence-based interviews and understanding the purpose behind each question, we empower ourselves to make hiring choices that align with our objectives.
It’s not only about asking questions; it’s about asking the right ones. In this dance, every move carries significance. Let’s ensure each step matters, as we navigate this intricate dance towards our goals.
Frequently Asked Question
Q-1: What is the interviewer’s guide?
Ans: An interviewer’s guide is a structured document used in the hiring process to ensure consistent, fair, and efficient interviews. It includes standardized questions, evaluation criteria, and guidelines for interviewers, promoting unbiased assessments, legal compliance, and a positive candidate experience while aiding in informed hiring decisions.
Q-2: What is the interviewer’s main role?
Ans: An interviewer’s main job is to talk to job candidates, ask them questions, and decide if they are a good fit for the job. They also explain the company and the job to candidates and make sure the interview is fair and unbiased.
Q-3: What are the five roles of interviewer?
Ans: An interviewer has five main roles: assessing candidates’ suitability for a job, giving information about the company and role, representing the organization well, ensuring fairness, and ultimately selecting the best-fit candidate based on qualifications and responses.