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How to Maximize Effectiveness When Interviewing Consultants (cont.)
The following chart outlines the various types of questions you can use throughout a consultant interview:
| Open-Ended Questions |
| Explanation |
Use this type of questioning when: |
Example Phrases |
| Questions that reveal the knowledge and/or feelings of the consultant. |
- Encouraging a full, meaningful answer, and to elicit more discussion |
- Start with words like What, Why, When, Who, etc.
- Statements like "tell me about" or "give me..." |
| Closed Questions |
| Explanation |
Use this type of questioning when: |
Example Phrases |
| Questions that require a yes or no answer and are useful for checking facts. |
- You are looking for a specific answer
- You wish to re-focus to the relevant parts of the interview
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"How many years of experience do you have..." |
| Summarizing Questions |
| Explanation |
Use this type of questioning when: |
Example Phrases |
| Questions that redirect the consultant in the right direction or to highlight the main points of a discussion. |
- You need clarification or confirmation regarding what has just been said by the consultant |
"So what you are saying is..."
"If I understand, what you have said is..." |
| Hypothetical or Situational Questions |
| Explanation |
Use this type of questioning when: |
Example Phrases |
Questions that pose a theoretical situation in the future.
They can also be used in interviews to find out how people might cope with new situations. |
- Assessing anticipated behavioral results or emotional reactions to new situations |
"What would you do if..." |
| Leading Questions |
| Explanation |
Use this type of questioning when: |
Example Phrases |
| Questions that are used to probe the consultant's level of agreeability, flexibility and client-facing skills. |
- Extrapolating information within the context of a particular discussion |
"I wouldn't want to do ., what about you?"
"I suppose you got on with your previous client?" |
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