How to Ace an Interview: The Ultimate Guide

Communication is a key factor that is very important to the art of interviewing. The exchange of information between the interviewer and the interviewee is a very critical aspect at attaining the final objective of every interview. Communication allows the attaining and satisfaction of certain requirements. It is also a process that requires a particular plan in order to attain objectives. The Shannon-weaver communication model is essentially an answer to the aspect of communication as a process. The needs that require to be fulfilled in any interview include; social, egoistic, practical and physical needs. These needs are further broken down or divided into specific needs. The ego needs in communication are meant to fulfill the sense of feeling and identity while interacting with other people. The physical needs in this case include basics requirements that are important for surviving every day. These are water, food, safety and a place to stay. Other needs that are inclusive in the social needs are the ability to have a certain influence or control over others, the feeling of belonging and also affection to others and vice versa. The practical needs in communication include basics needs such as having relevant questions, getting the right answers for every questions and writing of necessary reports. The interviewing process on the other hand is also a process that aims at conducting a communication process with a purpose. 

An interview is conducted to attain a certain objective and for specific reasons. Interviewing is aimed at acquiring the relevant information for investigative purposes and also to gain required evidence that can be used in a court process and also to refresh the memory of the witness when required. The basic goals in an interview are important in reducing stress, acquiring information and ensuring that the same information is very valid. While gaining this information, it is necessary to ensure that no coercion whatsoever is applied but it is purely voluntary and free from any form of inducement. There are certain aspects that are to be considered while interviewing that include the legal aspects, communication factors and language issues. There are certain words and phrases that the interviewer needs to avoid in order to have the witness at easy and not scare him/her. These words include; help, judge and jury. Phrases such as ‘leniency to a third party’ and ‘it will be better if’ are also avoided in any scenario. There are also certain legal aspects that have been spelled out clearly under the charter rights such as the right to counsel and also the right to silence. There are certain problems that are associated with interviews such as interruption, inappropriate language and sequencing and negative phrases. 

There are certain models of communication that have been developed to ease the art of interviewing and that have been proven to be highly efficient in attaining certain goals. These models include the Continuous Loop model otherwise known as the Berlo’s model and the Shannon-Weaver model. The continuous loop model basically illustrates the process of communication is a system that is continuous from the sender to the recipient and then back to the sender. This model involves certain factors such as the sender, the receiver, the message, the channels used and the feedback. The Shannon-Weaver model was introduced by Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver and is the general model of communication. This model is very flexible and can be used in both a one on one interview and also through electronic channels. This model constitutes a number of components including; a source, an encoder, a message, a channel, a decoder and a receiver. The methodology involves the sender encoding the message or ideas into words through either speaking or writing, the information is then received by the receiver who interprets the message as received and gives back feedback. The model has been improved with time to include factors such as environmental factors. Both of these models can be used practically in any case to interview a witness. They however have their weaknesses and disadvantages that are associated with each. The Continuous Loop model’s weaknesses include; too much stressing of both the encoding and decoding processes, the suggestion that most problems of communication can be technically solved and the assumption that communication works like a machine. 

The interview process in this particular case will be guided by the basic interviewing processes. The main objective here is to elicit and acquire the truth as it is from Thorne in order to ensure that his claim to compensation is true. Other objectives will include acquiring information, obtaining as much information as possible, to ascertain the facts of the case in hand, to validate the information that has already been acquired, to understand the story from the horse’s mouth, to understand the background and also to acquire information that may be used in investigation a possible criminal or civil case. The interviewer should also make certain key preparations that are essential to get the best from the interview. These include; identification of the most appropriate person to interview who in this case is Adam Thorne, identification of the most suitable person to conduct the interview and question the witness and determining the most appropriate location and time for the interview that is comfortable for the interviewee. One should therefore prepare adequately for the interview such as reviewing the information in hand, correlating the information that has already been acquired about the case. 

The gathering of background information of both the case and the witness are both important in preparation to conduct the interview. Knowing the location, time, victims or people involved, the occurrence and the reasons that were involved. The background information on Mr. Thorne should include the full names, the address, the age, the language, marital status and job. It also includes certain aspects such as personal circumstances. The interviewer should be prepared to use the required persuasion techniques to get the truth from Mr. Thorne. The S.P.I.C.E method of persuasion includes simplicity, perceived self-interest, incongruity, confidence and empathy. The interviewer should be as simple as possible while addressing the witness. He/she should also know what is in for either party, the ability to avoid any form of distraction, making the witness as comfortable as possible and being able to relate with them on a personal level. The cooperation of the claimant in this case Mr. Thorne is very important in ensuring his claim is genuine. 

APPENDIX 

Question One; Mr. Thorne could you please tell me a little more about yourself? 

This is a very general question that is, however, very important to understanding the claimant and creating a rapport that will help them be more at ease throughout the interview. It also gives him the control that he requires to be confident enough to give their own personal detail to a stranger. 

Question Two; would you please give me clearly your own version of what transpired leading to the accident? 

After getting the witness to be comfortable enough and creating a positive rapport, this question will be important in getting the facts of the case from the claimant’s side. It also allows the investigator to relate his story with the facts that have already been collected on the case. While giving his version of the story, the interviewer will also be able to assess Mr. Thorne and determine whether his story is genuine. 

Question Three; Mr. Thorne, do you think that you are entitled to receive compensation from the insurance company according to what happened? 

Even though the claimant is already asking to be compensated, having clarity on his claim will be necessary. This is because while explaining or giving reasons for his claim, he might as well provide other relevant information that may be important to determining his case to be true. It also allows for the interviewer to evaluate the claimant from his body language.