Tired of unstructured interviews needing consistent results? Use an interview template to ensure consistency, fairness, and efficiency in your hiring process.

 

Whether you’re a seasoned HR professional or a small business owner, a well-crafted interview template will help you cover everything, from technical skills to cultural fit.

 

This article answers “How to write an interview template?” and explores its purpose, benefits, essential components, and questions through examples.

 

Importantly, this article reveals how Meeting Assistant Krisp can make your hiring process productive by enhancing the creation of your interview template.

What Is an Interview Template?
hiring process

An interview template is a structured guide that interviewers use to ensure consistency and fairness during the interview process. Specifically, this is a standardized outline that includes predefined questions, evaluation criteria, and a scoring system, which you can find below.

Purpose of an Interview Template

An interview template enables the interviewer to assess candidates using the same criteria, ensuring objective assessment of candidates and hiring decisions. How? It eliminates hiring bias and allows the interviewer to evaluate candidates fairly and objectively based on the same parameters.

 

Significantly, such a standardized guide enhances the reliability and validity of the hiring process. Moreover, AI-powered Meeting Assistants like Krisp add more reliability and fairness to hiring decisions through objective summaries of hiring discussions. We’ll discuss this below.

Benefits of an Interview Template

Techopedia HR statistics show that 48% of candidates consider being left in the dark the main frustration during an application process. The good news is that a well-crafted interview template can help you improve the hiring process, which benefits both applicants and companies.

 

Here is how these templates contribute to hiring processes:

 

  • Consistency: Templates enable the interviewer to ask all candidates the same questions, ensuring a fair comparison. After all, consistency in decision-making, effectiveness, and efficiency are the main components of long-term organizational well-being and improved team morale.

 

  • Efficiency: Templates streamline the interview process, saving time for both interviewers and candidates. Specifically, hiring efficiency helps recruiters get people through the application process quickly and hassle-free. Did you know that 38% of HR professionals find time to hire as their main pain point?

 

  • Objectivity: An interview template allows the interviewer to focus on pre-demand criteria and structured questions, reducing bias. Because a hiring process that lacks standards can’t lead to objectivity.

 

  • Documentation: An interview template allows the interviewer to document interviews and save a written record of hiring discussions. Such documentation is helpful for future reference and legal compliance in case issues arise.

 

  • Improved Decision-Making: Templates provide clear criteria for evaluating candidates, facilitating decision-making, and designing a better hiring process. They facilitate gathering the most valuable insights about candidates’ critical-thinking abilities, tech savviness, and interpersonal skills.

How to Write an Interview Template? Interview Questions Template
interview template

The answer to this common question, “How do you structure an interview?” lies in knowing how to structure your template effectively. So, here we go.

 

An effective interview template typically includes the following sections:

1.    Introduction

  • Welcome, and introduction of the interviewer(s).
  • A brief overview of the company and the offered role.

 

Example: “Welcome, [Candidate’s Name]. Thank you for joining us today. We’re excited to learn more about your background and how your skills align with the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Let’s start with a brief overview of your experience.”

2.    Candidate Background

  • Questions about the candidate’s resume, experience, and qualifications.

 

Example: “Please tell us about your professional background. What roles have you held, and what key responsibilities and achievements have you experienced in your previous positions?”

3.    Role-Specific Questions

  • Questions tailored to the specific role to assess technical and functional skills.

 

Example: “Describe your experience with [specific technology]. How have you applied it in past projects, and what were the outcomes?”

4.    Behavioral Questions

  • Questions aimed at understanding the candidate’s past behavior and cultural fit.

 

Example: “Tell me about a time when you faced a significant challenge at work. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?”

5.    Situational Questions

  • Hypothetical questions to assess problem-solving and decision-making skills.

 

Example: “What would you do if you realized a project was not going to meet its deadline? How would you handle the situation?”

6.    Closing

  • Opportunity for the candidate to ask questions.
  • Explanation of the next steps in the hiring process.

 

Example: “Thank you for your time, [Candidate’s Name]. Do you have any questions for us? We will inform you about the next steps soon.”

7.    Scoring System

This is a method for evaluating responses objectively.

 

Example: Commonly used methods include:

  • Numerical Rating: Assign each response a numerical score (e.g., 1-5).
  • Weighted Scoring: Assigning different weights to different questions based on their importance.
  • Qualitative Rating: Using descriptive terms like “excellent,” “good,” “average,” and “poor.”

8.    Notes Section

Space for interviewers to jot down observations and comments.

 

Example: “Notes: [Interviewer’s observations about the candidate’s answers, body language, and relevance to the role.]”

9.    Evaluation Criteria

Explicit criteria for assessing each candidate’s responses and overall suitability for the role.

 

Example: “Evaluation Criteria: Assess communication skills, technical expertise, cultural fit, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork. Rate each on a scale of 1-5.”

10. Follow-Up Questions

Additional questions to delve deeper into specific areas based on the candidate’s responses.

 

Example: “Follow-Up Questions: Can you elaborate on your experience with [specific skill]? How do you prioritize tasks when deadlines are tight?”

Best Practices for Writing a Successful Interview Template
candidate hiring questions

Recent job interview statistics reveal that an applicant spends 20 – 40 days on average from a job interview to an offer, which can be frustrating. So, how can you reduce the anxiety of waiting? Here are best practices for crafting successful interview templates to speed up hiring processes:

1.    Customize for Each Role

Tailor the template to the specific job requirements. Adjust the technical and role-specific questions you read above to match the skills and responsibilities required for the position. Additionally, focus on relevant experiences and qualifications.

2.    Include Diverse Question Types

Use a mix of technical, behavioral, and situational questions. Examples of diverse questions are above, and we’ll discuss them further in this blog post. These questions will help you find a new talent who matches your values.

3.    Keep the Template Flexible

Allow room for follow-up questions based on the candidate’s responses. Namely, include open-ended questions, such as “Can you tell me about a time when you faced a significant challenge at work and how you overcame it?” Moreover, make follow-up inquiries based on candidate responses.

4.    Ensure Clarity

Write clear and concise questions to avoid ambiguity. First, use simple language without jargon and complex terms. Second, be specific, clearly defining what you’re asking or stating. Third, keep sentences short, limiting each sentence to one idea. Next, use bullet points, organizing information in easily readable chunks. Finally, avoid redundancy by removing unnecessary and repetitive words or phrases.

5.    Seek Feedback

Update the template regularly based on feedback and new information you receive from candidates and other interviewers. Consider collecting insights from candidates and other interviewers and reviewing and analyzing that information. Moreover, update the questions and evaluation criteria based on feedback and share the updated template with the interviewing team.

Bonus Practices

Practice 1. Use the CARL Technique for Behavioral Questions

What is the CARL technique? CARL stands for Context, Action, Result, and Learning. This method can be used to structure answers to behavioral interview questions. As a result, you can enjoy comprehensive and structured responses that showcase candidates’ problem-solving skills and ability to learn from experiences.

 

Example:

  • Context: Describe the situation or challenge you faced.
  • Action: Explain the actions you took to address the situation.
  • Result: Share what outcomes or results you reached.
  • Learning: Discuss what you learned from the experience and how it’s helped your career.

Practice 2. Use Five-Star Questions in Interviews

What are the five-star questions of the STAR method in an interview? Five-star questions help interviewers assess a candidate’s qualifications and suitability.

 

Specifically, this method elicits detailed responses that showcase the candidate’s skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience.

 

Here is an example:

  1. Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a significant challenge at work.
  2. Can you provide an example of a project where you demonstrated leadership?
  3. Describe a situation where you had to work under a tight deadline. How did you manage it?
  4. Give an example of how you handled a conflict with a coworker.
  5. What’s the most innovative solution you’ve developed to solve a problem?

Krisp Makes Your Interview Template Writing Productive
Krisp interview template

With 86% of organizations relying on new online tech for interviews, it’s high time you used AI technology like Meeting Assistant Krisp to enhance your virtual recruiting strategy.

 

Krisp, the leader in Productivity Voice AI, is designed to structure your interviews. So, use Krisp for brief online screenings, comprehensive face-to-face virtual assessments, and informal interviews.

 

The Krisp Meeting Assistant has all the necessary features to help you evaluate candidates effectively within a reasonable timeframe. Notably, Krisp provides noise-free, clear communication, and accurate Note-Taking during brainstorming sessions and online meetings, including virtual ice breakers.

Krisp’s Smart Features Include:

  • Automatic, streamlined Meeting Recording with the best-in-class audio quality across all virtual conferencing platforms and apps, including Zoom and Google Meeting

 

  • Real-time Noise Cancellation to remove noise, voice, and echo from online interactions so you can enjoy crystal-clear audio and avoid meeting frustration

 

 

Benefits of Crafting an Interview Template With Krisp

Krisp knows the best answer to the question, “How do you write an interview format?” It’s simple. Krisp lets you organize virtual interview discussions using a customizable meeting minutes template.

 

Here are the benefits of using Krisp for an interview template:

Objectiveness in Hiring

Krisp eliminates bias by enabling you to create an objective summary of human resource meetings with candidates. Specifically, Krisp’s Note-Taking feature transcribes your hiring discussions with exceptional 96% accuracy.

 

Then, it objectively highlights the most critical points you can save in a template. As a result, you can find the best candidate for the role based on an objective assessment of their skills and work style.

Clarity in Communication

Krisp’s Noise-Cancelling technology ensures clarity during virtual interviews and discussions with the hiring team. And this makes your meetings free from background noise and easily understandable. So, no more barking dogs and traffic noise.

 

Clearly transcribing audio to text, you can accurately capture insights and suggestions for your interview template, enhancing your professionalism.

Efficient Note-Taking

Krisp’s meticulous Transcription enables you to take real-time interview notes that you can revisit and review later.

 

Moreover, this feature lets you transcribe interviews effortlessly by extracting key points. As a result, you can quickly refine interview questions and evaluation criteria. Also, you can compile that information in the template to make better hiring decisions.

Streamlined Collaboration

Krisp’s Meeting Notes and Summaries provide automatic hiring discussion summaries, highlighting important points and action items. Specifically, they help ensure that all the hiring team members are on the same page.

 

Moreover, this feature ensures that the final interview template incorporates all relevant information. The latter can include agreed-upon behavioral questions and scoring systems.

Enhanced Focus

By Canceling Noise, Krisp helps maintain focus during meetings. And such an increased focus leads to more productive discussions and higher-quality outcomes.

 

For example, a focused meeting environment allows you to dig deeper into critical aspects like cultural fit questions and role-specific criteria. As a result, you can craft a more comprehensive template for warm welcoming to the team.

Now, let’s go through different types of interview templates. By using these various templates, interviewers can ensure a structured, fair, and efficient process for evaluating candidates.

Interview Guide Template

This template is a comprehensive guide for interviewers, including structured questions and evaluation criteria.

Example Interview Guide Template:

Introduction

“Welcome, [Candidate’s Name]. Thank you for joining us today. We’re excited to learn more about your background and how your skills align with the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Let’s start with a brief overview of your experience.”

Candidate Background

  • Tell us about your professional background.
  • What roles have you held, and what key responsibilities and achievements have you experienced in your previous positions?

Role-Specific Questions

  • Describe your experience with [specific technology or skill]. How have you applied it in past projects, and what were the outcomes?
  • What strategies help you stay organized and prioritize your tasks?

Behavioral Questions

  • Tell me about a time when you faced a significant challenge at work. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
  • Describe a situation where you had to work collaboratively with a difficult team member. How did you manage the relationship?

Situational Questions

  • What would you do if you realized a project wasn’t going to meet its deadline? How would you handle the situation?
  • How would you approach a situation where you had to learn a new skill to complete a project quickly?

Cultural Fit Questions

  • How do you imagine an ideal work environment and company culture?
  • How do you handle stress and pressure at work?

Technical Questions (if applicable)

  • Can you walk me through your process for [specific technical task]?
  • Have you ever had to troubleshoot a major issue in [specific technology]? If so, how did you resolve it?

Closing Questions

  • Do you have any questions for us about the role or company?
  • What are your salary expectations for this position?

Notes Section

“[Interviewer’s observations about the candidate’s responses, body language, and overall fit for the role.]”

Evaluation Criteria

“Assess communication skills, technical expertise, cultural fit, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork. Rate each on a scale of 1-5.”

Follow-Up Questions

  • Can you elaborate on your experience with [specific skill] mentioned earlier?
  • How do you prioritize tasks when deadlines are tight?

Tailoring the Template

“Adjust technical and role-specific questions to match the skills and responsibilities required for the position. Focus on relevant experiences and qualifications.”

Interview Schedule Template

This template helps organize and manage interview schedules efficiently.

Example Interview Schedule Template:

Date: [Interview Date]

Location: [Company Office or Virtual Meeting Link]

Time Candidate Name Interviewer(s) Interview Type Notes
9:00 – 9:30 Jane Doe John Smith Phone Screening Initial qualifications review
10:00 – 11:00 John Roe Team Panel (A, B, C) Technical Interview Focus on technical skills
11:30 – 12:00 Alice Smith HR Manager Behavioral Interview Assess cultural fit
1:00 – 2:00 Bob Johnson Project Manager Situational Interview Problem-solving abilities
2:30 – 3:00 Carol White Hiring Manager Final Round Final assessment

Breaks and Buffer Times:

  • 9:30 – 10:00: Buffer time for note-taking and review
  • 12:00 – 1:00: Lunch break
  • 3:00 – 3:30: Buffer time for note-taking and review

Interview Scorecard Template

This template standardizes the evaluation process for comparing candidates objectively.

Example Interview Scorecard Template:

Candidate Information

  • Name: [Candidate’s Name]
  • Position: [Job Title]
  • Interview Date: [Date]
  • Interviewer: [Name]

Scoring System

Please rate each criterion on a scale of 1-5, from Poor to Fair to Good to Very Good to Excellent.

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria Rating Comments
Technical Skills [ ] [Evaluate candidate’s technical expertise relevant to the job]
Experience [ ] [Assess the candidate’s work experience and relevance]
Communication [ ] [Evaluate verbal and written communication skills]
Cultural Fit [ ] [Assess alignment with company values and culture]
Problem-Solving [ ] [Evaluate ability to handle challenges and find solutions]
Teamwork [ ] [Assess ability to work collaboratively with others]
Leadership [ ] [Evaluate leadership potential and ability to inspire others]
Adaptability [ ] [Assess flexibility and ability to handle change]

Overall Impression

  • Overall Score: [Average of all ratings]
  • Recommendation:

– Strongly Recommend

– Recommend

– Neutral

– Do Not Recommend

Additional Comments

“[Include any additional observations or notes about the candidate.]”

Interview Feedback Template

This template collects structured feedback from interviewers about each candidate.

Example Interview Feedback Template:

Candidate Information

  • Name: [Candidate’s Name]
  • Position: [Job Title]
  • Interview Date: [Date]
  • Interviewer: [Your Name]

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria Rating (1-5) Comments
Technical Skills [ ] [Evaluate candidate’s technical expertise relevant to the job]
Experience [ ] [Assess the candidate’s work experience and relevance]
Communication [ ] [Evaluate verbal and written communication skills]
Cultural Fit [ ] [Assess alignment with company values and culture]
Problem-Solving [ ] [Evaluate ability to handle challenges and find solutions]
Teamwork [ ] [Assess ability to work collaboratively with others]
Leadership [ ] [Evaluate leadership potential and ability to inspire others]
Adaptability [ ] [Assess flexibility and ability to handle change]

Overall Impression

  • Overall Score: [Average of all ratings]
  • Recommendation:

– Strongly Recommend

– Recommend

– Neutral

– Do Not Recommend

Strengths

“[Describe the candidate’s strengths as observed during the interview.]”

Areas for Improvement

“[Describe areas where the candidate could improve or needs further development.]”

Additional Comments

“[Include any additional observations or notes about the candidate.]”

Follow-Up Questions

  • Follow-Up Needed: [ ] Yes [ ] No
  • Additional Questions: “[List any additional questions that arose during the interview.]”

Behavioral Interview Template

This template helps understand past behaviors to predict future performance.

Example Behavioral Interview Template:

Introduction

“Welcome, [Candidate’s Name]. Thank you for joining us today. We are excited to learn more about your experiences and how they align with the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Let’s start with a brief overview of your background.”

Candidate Background

  • Tell us about your professional background and critical achievements.
  • What roles have you held that best prepared you for this position?

Behavioral Questions

  • Tell me about a time when you had to manage a challenging project. What was the situation, and how did you handle it?
  • Describe a situation where you’d like to collaborate with a difficult team member. How did you manage the relationship and ensure project success?
  • Can you give an example of a time when you’d like to make a quick decision under pressure? What was the outcome?
  • Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to significant changes at work. How did you handle it?
  • Describe an instance when you went above and beyond your regular duties to achieve a goal.
  • Give an example of a time you received constructive feedback. How did you respond, and what did you learn from it?
  • Tell me about a time when you had to persuade others to see your point of view. How did you do it?
  • Describe a situation in which you had to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. How did you set priorities and manage your time?

Closing Questions

  • Do you have any questions for us about the role or the company?
  • What are your salary expectations for this position?

Notes Section

“Notes: [Interviewer’s observations about the candidate’s responses, body language, and overall fit for the role.]”

Evaluation Criteria

“Evaluation Criteria: Assess communication skills, problem-solving abilities, adaptability, teamwork, leadership, and cultural fit. Rate each on a scale of 1-5.”

Panel Interview Template

This template helps coordinate multiple interviewers to ensure a comprehensive assessment.

Example Panel Interview Template:

Introduction

“Welcome, [Candidate’s Name]. Thank you for joining us today. We have a panel of interviewers from different departments to get a well-rounded view of your fit for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Let’s start with a brief overview of your background.”

Candidate Background

  • Tell us about your professional background and critical achievements.
  • What roles have you held that best prepared you for this position?

Panel Members

  • Interviewer 1 (e.g., Hiring Manager):

Role: [Hiring Manager’s Role]

Questions:

  • Describe your experience with [specific technology or skill]. How have you applied it in past projects, and what were the outcomes?

What strategies help you stay organized? And how do you prioritize your tasks?

 

  • Interviewer 2 (e.g., Team Lead):

Role: [Team Lead’s Role]

Questions:

  • Tell me about a time when you faced a significant challenge at work. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?

Describe a situation in which you had to collaborate with a difficult team member. How did you manage the relationship and ensure project success?

 

  • Interviewer 3 (e.g., HR Representative):

Role: [HR Representative’s Role]

Questions:

  • How do you handle stress and pressure at work?
  • Describe your ideal work environment and company culture.

Technical/Role-Specific Questions

  • Can you walk me through your process for [specific technical task]?
  • Have you ever had to troubleshoot a major issue in [specific technology]? How did you resolve it?

Behavioral Questions

  • Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to significant changes at work. How did you handle it?
  • Give an example of a time you received constructive feedback. How did you respond, and what did you learn from it?

Situational Questions

  • What would you do if you realized a project was not going to meet its deadline? How would you handle the situation?
  • How would you approach a situation where you had to learn a new skill to complete a project quickly?

Closing Questions

  • Do you have any questions for us about the role or the company?
  • What are your salary expectations for this position?

Notes Section

“Notes: [Interviewer’s observations about the candidate’s responses, body language, and overall fit for the role.]”

Evaluation Criteria

“Evaluation Criteria: Assess communication skills, technical expertise, cultural fit, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork. Rate each on a scale of 1-5.”

Technical Interview Template

This template ensures consistency, fairness, and thoroughness in evaluating candidates’ technical skills and problem-solving abilities.

Example Technical Interview Template:

Introduction

“Welcome, [Candidate’s Name]. Thank you for joining us today. We’re eager to learn more about your technical skills and experience related to the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Let’s start with a brief overview of your background.”

Candidate Background

  • Tell us about your professional background and key technical achievements.
  • What roles have you held that best prepared you for this position?

Technical Questions

  • Describe your experience with [specific technology]. How have you applied it in past projects?
  • Can you walk us through your process for troubleshooting a complex technical issue?
  • How do you keep up with the latest developments in [specific technology or field]?
  • Explain a challenging technical problem you faced recently. How did you solve it?
  • What tools and frameworks are you most proficient in? Give an example of how you’ve used one recently.
  • Can you describe a time when you had to learn a new technology quickly? How did you approach it?

Practical Test/Code Challenge

  • [Provide a coding challenge or practical test relevant to the role.]

Example: “Please write a function in [programming language] that solves [specific problem]. Explain your approach and thought process.”

Behavioral Questions

  • Tell me about when you worked on a team to complete a technical project. What was your role, and how did you contribute?
  • Describe a situation where you had to balance multiple technical tasks with tight deadlines. How did you manage it?

Situational Questions

  • What would you do if you discovered a critical bug in your code right before a major deadline?
  • How would you handle a situation where you disagreed with a team member’s technical approach?

Closing Questions

  • Do you have any questions for us about the role or the company?
  • What are your salary expectations for this position?

Notes Section

“Notes: [Interviewer’s observations about the candidate’s responses, coding skills, problem-solving approach, and overall fit for the role.]”

Evaluation Criteria

“Evaluation Criteria: Assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, coding proficiency, teamwork, and cultural fit. Rate each on a scale of 1-5.”

Remote Interview Template

This template facilitates remote interviews and ensures they’re as effective as in-person ones.

Example Remote Interview Template:

Introduction

“Welcome, [Candidate’s Name]. Thank you for joining us remotely today. We’re excited to learn more about your background and how your skills align with the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Let’s start with a brief overview of your background.”

Candidate Background

  • Tell us about your professional background and critical achievements.
  • What roles have you held that best prepared you for this position?

Technical Setup

  • Please confirm that your audio and video are working correctly. Do you have any technical issues that must be addressed before proceeding?

Role-Specific Questions

  • Describe your experience with [specific technology or skill]. How have you applied it in past projects, and what were the outcomes?
  • What strategies help you stay organized? And how do you prioritize your tasks?

Behavioral Questions

  • Tell me about when you faced a significant challenge while working remotely. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
  • Describe a situation in which you collaborated with a team member virtually. How did you ensure effective communication and project success?

Situational Questions

  • What would you do if you experienced technical difficulties during a critical virtual meeting? How would you handle the situation?
  • How would you approach a situation where you need to quickly learn a new tool or software to complete a remote project?

Remote Work-Specific Questions

  • How do you manage your time and stay productive while working remotely?
  • What tools and technologies help you stay connected with your team and complete your tasks?

Cultural Fit Questions

  • How do you imagine an ideal work environment and company culture?
  • How do you handle stress and pressure at work, especially in a remote setting?

Closing Questions

  • Do you have any questions for us about the role or the company?
  • What are your salary expectations for this position?

Notes Section

“Notes: [Interviewer’s observations about the candidate’s responses, technical setup, problem-solving approach, and overall fit for the role.]”

Evaluation Criteria

“Evaluation Criteria: Assess technical skills, remote work capabilities, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and cultural fit. Rate each on a scale of 1-5.”

Executive Interview Template

This template ensures consistency and thoroughness in evaluating candidates’ leadership, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities for high-level positions.

Example Executive Interview Template:

Introduction

“Welcome, [Candidate’s Name]. Thank you for joining us today. We’re excited to discuss your experiences and their alignment with the [Executive Position] at [Company Name]. Let’s begin with a brief overview of your background.”

Candidate Background

  • Tell us about your professional background and critical achievements.
  • What executive roles have you held, and what significant initiatives did you lead?

Leadership Questions

  • Describe a time when you led a company or division through significant change. What strategies did you use, and what was the outcome?
  • Can you explain how you’ve built and developed high-performing teams?

Strategic Thinking Questions

  • How do you approach long-term strategic planning for a company or division?
  • Describe a situation where you identified a significant market opportunity. How did you capitalize on it?

Decision-Making Questions

  • Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make that significantly impacted the company. How did you approach it?
  • Describe a time when you had to decide with incomplete information. What was your process, and what was the result?

Financial Acumen Questions

  • How have you managed budgets and financial planning in your previous roles?
  • Can you provide an example of how you improved financial performance at your last company?

Cultural Fit Questions

  • What are the critical components of a thriving company culture, and how have you fostered such a culture in your previous roles?
  • How do you ensure alignment between the company’s vision and operational activities?

Communication Questions

  • Describe a time when you had to communicate a complex strategy to stakeholders. How did you ensure clarity and buy-in?
  • How do you handle communication during a crisis?

Situational Questions

  • What would be your approach to turning around a struggling business unit?
  • How would you handle a situation where your strategic vision is not aligned with the board’s?

Closing Questions

  • Do you have any questions for us about the role or the company?
  • What are your salary expectations for this position?

Notes Section

“Notes: [Interviewer’s observations about the candidate’s responses, leadership style, strategic thinking, and overall fit for the role.]”

Evaluation Criteria

“Evaluation Criteria: Assess leadership skills, strategic thinking, decision-making abilities, financial acumen, communication skills, and cultural fit. Rate each on a scale of 1-5.”

Exit Interview Template

This template gathers feedback from departing employees. Thus, it helps companies improve workplace conditions, enhance employee retention, and understand reasons for turnover.

Example Exit Interview Template:

Introduction

“Thank you for taking the time to participate in this exit interview. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our organization. Please be assured that we’ll keep your responses confidential.”

Reasons for Leaving

  • “What prompted you to start looking for a new job?”
  • “Was your decision to leave conditioned by a specific event?”

Job Satisfaction

  • “Describe your satisfaction level with your role and responsibilities.”
  • “What aspects of your job were most enjoyable?”

Work Environment

  • “How would you describe the work environment and culture?”
  • “Did you feel valued and recognized for your contributions?”

Training and Development

  • “Have you ever received adequate training and support to perform your job effectively?”
  • “Were there opportunities for professional growth and advancement?”

Compensation and Benefits

  • “Were you satisfied with your compensation and benefits package?”
  • “How do our compensation and benefits compare to other opportunities you considered?”

Final Thoughts

  • “Do you have any suggestions for improving our workplace?”
  • “Would you consider returning to this organization in the future?”
  • “Is there anything else you would like to share?”

Top Questions to Include in an Interview Template
interviewing questions

Here are questions to use to interview candidates like a pro.

1.    Technical Questions

  • Can you describe a complex project you worked on and the technologies you used?
  • What’s your experience with [specific technology]?
  • How do you approach debugging a complex issue?

2.    Behavioral Questions

  • Tell me about a time when you faced a significant challenge at work. How did you handle it?
  • Tell me about a time you failed and how you handled it.
  • How did you meet a tight deadline?

3.    Situational Questions

  • What would you do if you had to manage multiple high-priority tasks with overlapping deadlines?
  • How would you handle a disagreement with a coworker?
  • What would you do if you realized a project was not going to meet its deadline?

4.    Role-Specific Questions

  • How do you stay organized? And how do you prioritize tasks?
  • What strategies do you use to stay organized?
  • How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects?

5.    Cultural Fit Questions

  • How can you describe an ideal work environment and company culture?
  • Can you explain how you contributed to building or maintaining a positive company culture in your previous roles?
  • How do you handle situations where your values conflict with the company’s values or policies?

6.    Motivational Questions

  • What motivates you to get out of bed and come to work every day?
  • Can you describe when you felt particularly motivated and excited about your work? What contributed to that feeling?
  • How do you stay motivated when working on long-term projects or tasks that may not have immediate results?

7.    Teamwork Questions

  • Can you give an example of a time when you worked successfully as part of a team?
  • Have you ever managed a conflict within your team? What steps did you take to handle it? And what was the outcome?
  • How do you ensure effective team communication and collaboration when working on a project? Can you provide a specific example?

8.    Leadership Questions

  • Can you provide an example of a time when you had to lead a team through a challenging situation? How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
  • Have you ever motivated and inspired your team to achieve a challenging goal? What strategies did you use?
  • How do you handle decision-making when team members disagree? Can you give an example of such a situation and how you resolved it?

9.    Conflict Resolution Questions

  • Have you ever disagreed with a coworker? How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
  • Have you ever resolved a conflict in a team? How did you mediate the situation?
  • Have you ever been in a conflicting situation while working on a project? How did you keep the project on track despite the disagreement?

10. Future Goals Questions

  • Where do you see yourself in five years, and how does this position align with your career goals?
  • What are your long-term career aspirations, and how do you plan to achieve them?
  • How do you see this role helping you achieve your professional goals?

Including diverse questions in an interview template helps comprehensively evaluate the candidate’s skills, experience, and fit for the role and company.

Wrapping Up

Creating a comprehensive and structured interview template is essential for a fair and efficient hiring process. For example, best practices regarding interview question templates to make hiring processes consistent, objective, and effective.

 

Specifically, consider making your interview templates clear and concise and including diverse questions like behavioral and leadership. Moreover, you can use different template types, such as remote, panel, and technical ones.

 

Significantly, the Krisp AI Meeting Assistant can enhance the creation of your interview template to meet the specific needs of the offered role. Namely, Krisp ensures clear, noise-free virtual interview discussions, making hiring processes much more productive.

Frequently Asked Questions on

How Do I Write My Own Interview?
To write your interview, start by identifying key topics and objectives. First, prepare a mix of open-ended, behavioral, and role-specific questions. Next, structure the interview with an introduction, main questions, and a closing. Finally, tailor it to your specific needs.
How Many Questions Are Usually Asked in a One-Hour Interview?
In a one-hour interview, typically eight to ten questions are asked. This allows for in-depth discussion of each question, including follow-up queries and detailed responses.

 

Specifically, the number can vary based on the complexity of the questions and the depth of the answers. First, start with introductory questions and then move through technical and behavioral questions.

 

End with closing questions. This way, you can comprehensively view the candidate’s qualifications and fit for the role.

What Are the Top Ten Behavioral Questions in an Interview?
Behavioral questions help assess how candidates have handled situations in the past, providing insight into their future performance. The top ten behavioral questions include:

 

  1. Have you ever had to manage a complex project?
  2. Have you ever collaborated with a difficult team member?
  3. Can you give an example of how you handled a significant change at work?
  4. Tell me about a time you failed and how you handled it.
  5. Describe an instance when you went above and beyond the call of duty.
  6. How have you handled tight deadlines in the past?
  7. Give an example of a time you showed initiative.
  8. Describe a situation where you had to solve a complex problem.
  9. Tell me about a time when you had to persuade someone to see your point of view.
  10. How do you handle stress and pressure?
What's a Thank You Email After Interview Template?
An interview thank you email template enables the candidate to show appreciation for the opportunity and reinforce their interest in the position. Thank-you emails leave a positive impression on the interviewer.

Example Thank You Email Template After Interview

Subject Line: Thank You for the Opportunity

 

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] on [Interview Date]. I appreciate your time discussing the role and the insights you provided about the team and company culture.

 

I am particularly excited about the [specific aspect of the job or company that excites you]. My [particular skill or experience] would allow me to contribute effectively to your team. Our discussion confirmed my strong interest in this position, and I am enthusiastic about possibly joining [Company Name].

 

Thank you once again for your time and consideration. I look forward to the next steps in the hiring process and am eager to contribute to the success of [Company Name].

 

Best regards,

[Candidate’s Name]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

What's an Email Template for Following Up After an Interview?
An interview follow-up email template enables candidates to show their polite greeting and continued interest or request an update.

Example of an Interview Follow-Up Email Template

Subject Line: “Following Up on [Job Title] Interview – [Name]”

 

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. Specifically, I wanted to follow up on the [Job Title] position we discussed on [Interview Date]. I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to join [Company Name] and contribute to [specific project or aspect of the company discussed during the interview].

 

Since our meeting, I have been reflecting on our conversation, and I am more excited than ever about bringing my [specific skill or experience] to your team. I believe my background in [relevant field or expertise] aligns well with the goals and vision of [Company Name].

 

Could you please provide an update on the hiring process and the expected timeline for the next steps? I am keen to move forward and would appreciate any information you can share.

 

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to your response.

 

Best regards,

[Candidate’s Full Name]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

[LinkedIn Profile (if applicable)]