HR Practice For Payroll Practitioners

HR Practice for Payroll Practitioners

Interview Questions

When a question is asked is just as important as the type of question. A useful technique in question structure is using one of two techniques:

The question structure techniques are: • Funnel sequence • Inverted funnel sequence

Funnel Sequence

A funnel sequence of questioning means questions progress from general to specific. This is useful when pursuing a particular line of enquiry.

For example:

What tasks do you most like doing at work? Of the tasks you mentioned which one do you prefer the most? What is it about this task that particularly appeals to you?

This method allows the interviewer to probe deeper based on the response that was given. It also allows the interviewer to get an impression of what is important to the interviewee and other possible facts or events to become known that were not evident before.

Inverted Funnel Sequence

The opposite of the funnel sequence, these questions move from the specific to the general.

The purpose of this method is to assist the interviewee to open up. Starting with specific questions can make it easier for an interviewee to answer. People are often more comfortable at first giving short answers than answering a broader question that requires more talking. The advantage to the interviewer is when they don’t have the facts they can ask specific questions to gain them and then use broad questions to inquire further.

For example:

When was the order sent? Why was there such a delay? Can you give me other examples of when this happened? What do you think can be done to turn this around?

© New Zealand Payroll Practitioners Association, Sep 2024, Ver 12

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