5 Tips for Writing Interview Questions
Writing questions for an interview can be tricky. It is important that you know the right questions to ask and how to ask them. Structuring of the interview questions is also important. The following are five simple tips to help you write interview questions.
-
1. Avoid Asking Double-Barreled Questions
These are questions that have more than one question in the sentence. An example is, “Do you think he is telling the truth and that he deserves to be set free?” There are two questions to be addressed here. When asked double-barreled questions, most likely the respondent will answer just one of them. It’s better to ask your questions separately.
-
2. Do Not Ask Questions That Are Biased
Avoid asking questions that are slanted towards an opinion. A good interview question is neutral and it allows the respondent to give his or her own take of the issue. It should not influence the respondent’s opinion.
-
3. Avoid Assuming Questions
Assuming questions are those that already have assumed opinions for the interviewees. An example is, “A lot of people are angered by the anomaly. Are you one of them?” This question is structured in such a way that an issue is painted as an anomaly when it probably still needs to be proven. The correct way to ask this is, “Do you believe that an anomaly took place?”
-
4. Keep Your Questions Short and Clear
Write questions that are short and clear. Correcting grammar is essential too, because the slightest grammatical or punctuation mistake can change the question’s meaning. Review your interview questions and have them checked for grammar.
-
5. Do Not Include Unnecessary Questions
And finally, delete questions that are irrelevant to your topic. Do not get carried away, but keep your questions focused on your objective.
