Semi-structured interview definition

A semi-structured interview blends structured and open-ended questions, providing flexibility within a loose framework. This format encourages in-depth responses through follow-up questions and allows deviation to explore new topics, making it ideal for gaining comprehensive insights in a conversational style.

The semi-structured interview approach

A semi-structured interview is a versatile approach in the recruitment process, combining predefined questions with the flexibility to explore topics in depth. This method ensures initial consistency while allowing interviewers to ask open-ended questions, encouraging candidates to discuss experiences and ideas more expansively. Interviewers can follow interesting leads and dig deeper into responses, gaining a comprehensive understanding of a candidate’s potential and fit for the company culture. This balance makes semi-structured interviews effective for evaluating candidates beyond rehearsed answers, helping to align recruitment efforts with strategic workforce planning goals.

Key differences: structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interviews

Semi-structured interviews uniquely blend elements of structured and unstructured interviews, offering both rigor and flexibility. Here’s how they compare:

Aspect	Structured Interviews	Semi-Structured Interviews	Unstructured Interviews
Question Format	Predetermined questions, asked in a fixed order	Combination of fixed and open-ended questions	No fixed questions
Flexibility	Low; rigid format	Moderate; allows for follow-up questions based on responses	High; fully flexible
Consistency	High; easy to compare candidates	Moderate; maintains some consistency but allows divergence	Low; varies significantly
Candidate Preparation	Candidates can over-prepare for known questions	Encourages spontaneous, thoughtful responses	Responses are highly spontaneous
Interviewer Role	Minimal discretion required	Requires skill to balance structure with flow	High discretion and adaptability
Outcome	Uniformity in responses, easier documentation	Richer insights into candidate’s capabilities and fit	Deep, personalized insights

Semi-structured interviews stand out by allowing structured questions to establish a baseline of comparability while providing the freedom to explore deeper insights through spontaneous follow-up questions. This approach enables a more dynamic interaction, revealing a candidate’s ability to think on their feet and adapt, which is less apparent in strictly structured settings.

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