FORMAL INTERVIEW: CHARACTERISTICS AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS - JOB - 2025

The formal interview is a technique whose objective is to collect or obtain information, either individually or with groups of people. This technique is widely used in research in the social sciences -such as psychology, sociology and economics-, in the health sciences and also in the business world.

In general, formal interviews are strategies used when information should preferably be obtained from the direct source. In the case of a social investigation, the interviewees will be the protagonists of the situation to be studied, or the members of the environment or problem that is to be addressed.

Among the formal interviews, job interviews stand out. Source: pixabay.com

For example, in the case of an epidemiological investigation, it would be necessary to interview the protagonists of the phenomenon to be explored, since they (or direct witnesses) are the only ones who can provide reliable information, useful for such purposes.

In research methodology, the formal interview is also known as a structured interview. It is named for its high degree of structure and care in the preparation and selection of the questions, as well as for the organization in terms of priority and relevance that the interviewer observes of each of these.

The formal interview is recommended in the business environment for the selection of the most suitable personnel for a position, and to know how well the person would adapt to the organizational culture of the company. Job interviews are very useful tools to select the most suitable worker.

The structuring of the interview will depend on its purpose. In both research and business, the goal is the same: to obtain information. However, the purpose and use of this information is what will ultimately determine the type of questions and the way they should be asked, always depending on the content to be explored.

In any case, it is important to take into account what are the defining characteristics of the formal interview and what are the type of questions that can be found in it. This is useful whether you need to approach as an interviewer or, even more so, as a user; thus the person can have some preparation to achieve better performance.

characteristics

Standardization

In this type of interview, a standardized structure and format is expected; that is, the same questions are asked to all interviewees and they are expressed in the same way.

Identical terms and criteria are used, which then allow comparisons to be made thanks to the uniformity of the data.

Rigidity

In contrast to unstructured interviews, which are flexible and dynamic, formal interviews are more rigid in structure.

The interviewer is not free to alter or modify the original order or structure. Therefore, you should not add or remove any questions or other; social interaction is limited.

Time management

By having a predetermined structure, it is expected that the interviewer can follow it to the letter and thus make efficient time management. This allows you to optimize the number and quality of interviews in a period that has been planned for these purposes.

Control by the interviewer

Formal interviews are characterized by the fact that the interviewer must maintain a completely directive attitude. This ensures that they are executed at the same time and in the same way for each interviewee, and that the designed order and structure is maintained.

The interviewer must show that he is safe and in control of the procedure. Therefore, you must handle the climate and tone of the interview very well. This will ensure that the interviewee is willing and relaxed enough to complete all the planned questions without interruption.

They do not address confidential topics

They cannot be used if they want to address issues of greater intimacy and confidentiality, since the structure, time and role of the interviewer (who is basically a data collector) does not allow it.

The questions used should not give rise to the approach to issues that may leave the context and the designed structure.

Mixed questions

The questions to ask in a formal interview are generally of a mixed type; that is, closed questions and questions with only a certain degree of openness are combined, when the required data warrants it.

However, in some situations issues are necessary in which the interviewee must give his point of view and show a certain elaboration of some approaches, in order to show how his real development would be in similar situations. In these cases, the design should not allow for too long of the planned time.

Easy management of the information obtained

Due to the structure with which the interview is designed, the format used should later allow the data or information collected to be handled more easily, since the purpose is to reduce the analysis time and obtain results.

Sample questions

Among formal interviews, job interviews stand out in a special way. In these, the employer and the possible employee interact, and the intention is to determine if the professional and personal characteristics of the candidate agree with those that are necessary for the position of the company to which they have applied.

Some of the main questions that can arise in this scenario are the following:

- What is your educational level?

- Have you taken courses or specializations in the area related to the position for which you have applied?

- Are you willing to take trips out of the city at certain times?

- Describe your personality.

- Tell us about your work experience.

- What did you do in your previous job?

- How well can you deal with pressure in the work environment?

- How can you contribute to the growth of this company?

- What is your main weakness?

- What is your greatest strength?

- What has been the biggest challenge you have faced?

- What do you expect from the company?

- What are your professional goals?

- What type of work environment do you identify with?

- Would you feel comfortable if it were necessary to do overtime on a recurring basis?

- What are your payment expectations?

References

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