What type of questions should a good interviewer ask to effectively gather information?

A good interviewer should primarily use open-ended questions to effectively gather information. Open-ended questions encourage a more extensive and thoughtful response, allowing the interviewee to provide detailed insights, share personal experiences, and elaborate on their thoughts. This type of questioning creates a dialogue rather than just a simple exchange of facts, leading to a richer understanding of the individual’s viewpoint or experience.

In contrast to pointed or one-word questions, which generally limit the scope of the response, open-ended questions expand the conversation. Leading questions tend to guide the interviewee toward a specific answer, which may bias the responses and diminish the reliability of the information gathered. Multiple-choice questions can also restrict responses to predefined options, limiting the depth of understanding the interviewer can achieve. Overall, open-ended questions foster a more dynamic and informative interaction, essential for effective interviewing.