Formulating Questions

Which of the following should you do at the start of your interview?

Mark ALL that are true and NONE that are not true.

• Let the person know what you'll ask and why you'll ask it.

• Talk about any privacy issues.

• Discuss how long the process should take.

• Provide drinks and snacks

A question with a simple one word or one phrase answer is ...

• open-ended

• close-ended

• not useful in interviews

• usually asked last

A question that requires a complex or lengthy answer is...

• close-ended

• open-ended

• not useful

• usually asked first

Longer questions with many words

• are helpful because they make things clear

• are only good in live interviews

• are only good on written interviews

• are not recommended

Ask more challenging or difficult questions

• Right away

• In the middle of the interview

• Near the end of the interview

• only if you know the person really well

Starting with close-ended questions

• builds confidence and comfort

• gets boring

• makes them nervous

• works in writing only

Analyze this question:

Are you currently in a school sport?

• This is a good close-ended question.

• This is a good open-ended question.

• This question is two questions in one.

• This question is unclear.

Reorder the following questions in the best order for an interview.

• Do you like school?

• What subects do you like best?

• What do you like about those subjects?

• What are some activities you do in those classes?

• What do you like about those activities?

Select the best close-ended question for an interview.

• What is your favorite toy of all times?

• What is your favorite toy?

• What are two of your favorite toys?

• Name all the toys you own.

What, if anything, is wrong with the following question?

How much do you like playing music in a band?

Not at all

A little

Neutral

Somewhat

Very Much

• It is close-ended

• It assumes the person played in a band

• The answer options don't make sense

• This is a good question.