Page 84 - DENG401_Advance Communication Skills

Unit 3: Interview Skills

3. Provide little opportunity for the interviewee to offer additional information. Notes
4. Choice may be vague.

3.7.3 Neutral and Leading Questions

When one asks a neutral question, he makes no attempt to direct the interviewee’s response.
Because neutral questions do not exert any pressure, they may elicit more accurate responses.
Neutral questions are phrased so that possible responses are not indicated and alternatives are
presented in a balanced fashion.

Example: 1. Why is he leaving the company?

2. Whom does he think responsible for the problem?
3. Which one of the following sports does he enjoy in his participation the
most—baseball, football, basketball, and tennis?

Leading questions, on the other hand, enable the interviewer to obtain accurate information
quickly by guiding the interviewee in a certain direction. They are especially useful when
trying to verify factual information. Leading questions are sometimes regarded negative because,
when used carelessly, they may result in biased responses.

Example: 1. Whether he has a driving license or not?
2. Does he possess a telephone or not?
3. Does he believe that most students are overworked?

3.7.4 Loaded Questions

A loaded question is even stronger in direction than a leading question, which may be somewhat
subtle. A loaded question tends to be hard hitting. Some interviewers use loaded questions to
create stress by using language likely to draw an emotional response or by inquiring topics
about which the interviewee feels strongly. No need exists in most interviews for loaded
questions. They should be left to skilled interviewers for the exploration of emotional issues.
These are examples of loaded questions:
1. What do you think of the government’s foolish waste of the tax money?

2. Do you mean to tell me that you have no work experience? (Asked of a new college
graduate who has been rejected by other interviewers for lacking experience)
3. How do you like the company’s ridiculous policy about vacations?

3.7.5 Mirror Questions

A mirror question reflects an interviewee’s previous answer with the intent of drawing additional
information. Through its use, more information can be obtained without biasing the interviewee’s
responses. When the interviewer believes that a response is incomplete, he may draw the
interviewee out more by simply restating that response. This is called mirroring a response.
When the interviewer does it, he must do it. He has to try to get the interviewee to elaborate on
a particular topic. Mirror questions are employed in these examples:
1. Interviewee: I liked my last job a lot. The pay was good. I would still be there if it were not
for my problems with my immediate supervisor.

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