Probing during an interview is essential to uncover deeper insights about a candidate’s experience, skills, and fit for the role. Here are some strategies and tactics for effective probing:
1. Active Listening
- Focus on the Candidate’s Responses: Pay close attention to what the candidate says and how they say it. Look for areas that seem unclear, incomplete, or particularly interesting, which can be explored further.
- Use Nonverbal Cues: Nodding, maintaining eye contact, and other nonverbal signals can encourage the candidate to elaborate on their responses.
2. Ask Open-Ended Questions
- Start with Broad Questions: Begin with open-ended questions that allow the candidate to provide a comprehensive response. For example, “Can you walk me through how you handled a challenging project?”
- Follow-Up with Probing Questions: Use follow-up questions to dig deeper into specifics. For instance, “What specific strategies did you use to overcome that challenge?” or “Can you give an example of a particular obstacle you faced?”
3. Use the STAR Method
- Focus on Situation, Task, Action, and Result: Encourage candidates to structure their answers using the STAR method, which helps you probe effectively. If they skip a part, ask for more details. For example, “What was the result of your actions?” or “How did the team react to your approach?”
4. Challenge Assumptions
- Politely Question Generalizations: If a candidate makes a broad statement, ask them to clarify or provide examples. For example, “You mentioned that you’re good at managing stress. Can you describe a specific time when you had to manage stress at work?”
- Ask for Evidence: When candidates assert certain strengths or experiences, ask them to provide evidence or examples that back up their claims.
5. Explore Motivations and Values
- Understand Their Decision-Making Process: Ask questions like, “What led you to choose this career path?” or “Why did you decide to leave your previous job?” These questions help you understand what drives the candidate.
- Probe for Cultural Fit: Ask about the type of work environment they thrive in and why. Follow up by asking, “Can you describe a time when you felt particularly aligned or misaligned with your team’s culture?”
6. Hypothetical Scenarios
- Present Realistic Scenarios: Use hypothetical scenarios related to the job and ask the candidate how they would handle them. Follow up with questions like, “Why would you choose that approach?” or “What would you do if things didn’t go as planned?”
7. Use Silence
- Create Space for Reflection: After a candidate finishes speaking, pause for a moment. Silence can encourage them to continue talking or provide additional information they may have initially withheld.
8. Repeat and Rephrase
- Clarify Ambiguities: If a candidate’s answer is unclear, rephrase what they said and ask them to elaborate. For example, “If I understand correctly, you’re saying… Can you tell me more about that?”
9. Drill Down on Red Flags
- Address Inconsistencies: If you notice inconsistencies in their answers, politely ask for clarification. For example, “Earlier you mentioned that you led the project, but now you’re saying the team was self-directed. Can you clarify your role?”
10. Summarize and Reflect
- Paraphrase and Confirm: After discussing a significant point, summarize it and ask the candidate to confirm if you’ve understood correctly. This can lead to further elaboration and clarification.
11. Use Behavioral Anchoring
- Tie Questions to Specific Experiences: Anchor your probing questions in past behavior. For example, “You said you improved team productivity by 20%. Can you describe the steps you took to achieve that?”
12. Contextualize the Role
- Relate to the Job’s Requirements: Tailor your probing to the specific skills and competencies required for the role. For example, if the job requires leadership, ask, “Can you provide an example of a time you had to lead a team through a difficult period?”
By combining these strategies, you can gain a deeper understanding of a candidate’s suitability for the role, beyond the surface-level answers they might initially provide.
