Critical Role of Interviewer Training in Ensuring Effective Structured Interviews and Benefits of Video-Based Learning

Years of research and experience have demonstrated that structured interviews are highly effective at predicting applicant success, while enhancing more consistent, objective application relative to other assessments. However, the true success of structured interviews hinges on the training and preparation of the interviewers themselves.

While structured interviews offer numerous potential benefits, such as greater validity, reliability, and ability to withstand greater legal scrutiny, these advantages can only be fully realized when interviewers are well-equipped to conduct these interviews effectively.

Comprehensive training is essential for ensuring that interviewers have the knowledge and skills to execute the structured interview process with precision and fairness. Our experience is that effective interview training should address the following goals:

• Provide an understanding of the structured interview process. Interviewers must have a deep understanding of the structured interview methodology, including the roles and responsibilities of each panel member, the steps involved in conducting the interview, and the overall flow of the process.
• Introduce the interview materials and provide instructions on how they should be used. Interviewers should be well-versed in the competencies being assessed, the interview questions, and the rating scales used to evaluate candidate responses. This ensures that they can effectively apply the structured framework and make informed, objective assessments.
• Describe how to effectively take notes. Accurate and objective documentation of candidate responses is crucial for the subsequent rating and consensus-building processes. Interviewers must be trained on best practices for notetaking, including the types of statements that should be included and how to leverage available technologies.
• Detail best practices for administering the interview and making ratings. Interviewers should be trained on the behaviors they should engage in when conducting structured interviews, such as maintaining neutrality, avoiding common biases, and following up effectively to gather the necessary information.
• Explain how to use any associated technology to assist in conducting the interviews. In today’s digital landscape, interviewers are often expected to use technology platforms to facilitate the structured interview process, including video conferencing and digital notetaking and rating systems. Ensuring that interviewers are comfortable with these tools can enhance the efficiency and consistency of the interview process.

To ensure that structured interview training is accessible, consistent, and cost-effective, many organizations are turning to video-based learning solutions. These video-based training programs offer several key advantages:

• Scalability. Video-based training can be easily distributed and accessed by a large number of interviewers, reducing the long-term costs associated with in-person training sessions.
• Consistency. By providing the same standardized content to all learners, video-based training ensures that every interviewer receives the exact same information, promoting a unified approach.
• Power to Illustrate. Video-based training provides the opportunity to demonstrate concepts through the use of audio and visual elements. Job incumbents can participate as actors to further assist with ensuring that the content is relatable.
• Flexibility. Learners can access the training materials at their own convenience, allowing them to review the content at their own pace and revisit specific topics as needed.
• Ongoing Support. Video-based training can be easily updated and supplemented with additional resources, ensuring that interviewers have access to the most current information and best practices.

By investing in comprehensive, video-based structured interview training, organizations can empower their interviewers to conduct fair, effective, and legally compliant interviews. This, in turn, leads to better decisions, strengthening the organization’s talent pipeline and driving long-term success.

Contact HumRRO to learn more about developing video-based structured interview training for your organization.