Introduction to interviewing skills for Community Learning ChampionsPresented by –Date –

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.

Introductions

Find a partner - ideally someone you do not know very well You are going to interview each other finding out the following:• Name• Volunteer/job role• Experience with interviewing, including informal interviewing

in your CLC role.• One piece of extra personal information.

You have three minutes for each interview.You will each introduce the other person to the group.

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)

What is an interview?

A formal meeting / exchange which has:

• An implicit / explicit contract

• A serious purpose

• A two-way exchange

• Some agreed outcomes.

Stages of an interview?

Beginning – building a working alliance1. Create a friendly, encouraging atmosphere - building rapport2. Establishing the broad purpose - contracting

Middle – exploring potential and identifying options3. Gather information and question interviewee4. Identify the interviewee’s needs

End – identifying goals and follow through5. Give information to the client6. Summarise progress made during the interview7. Clarify the next steps

Adapted from Bimrose, Barnes, Hughes & Orton, (2004) and Bedford (1982)

Beginning the interview

Rapport:

• Empathetic understanding

• Acceptance - unconditional positive regard

• Genuine – congruence.

Rogers, C. R. (1967)

Body language

Non-verbal communication:

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

Boundaries

• Interviewer competence

• Interviewer volunteer/job role

• Confidentiality

• Purpose of interview

• Referral points.

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

• Clear understanding of CLC role – what you are realistically able to do/offer

• Time available

• Scope of interview

• Confidentiality issues

• Any other activities or support that may be required.

Interviewing skills

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

Active listening

Form groups of three - interviewer, interviewee and observer.

You will all play each role

• Interviewee to talk for 3-5 minutes about an issue you have now or have experienced.

• 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.

Interviewing practice

Working in same groups, with same roles, practice a short interview – 5/10 minutes.

• Interviewee: talk about an issue you would like to share or about a client’s/learner’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.

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

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.