What is a semi-structured interview?
A semi-structured interview combines predetermined questions with the flexibility of a conversation. It balances the consistency of a structured interview with the depth of an unstructured one.
Semi-structured interviews in recruitment
1. Planning and preparation
Develop a question guide that emphasises the competencies the role needs, including work experience, problem-solving ability and attitudes to collaboration.
2. Questions that give both structure and depth
Open questions encourage candidates to share their experience:
- "Describe a time you solved a complex problem at work"
- "How do you usually handle conflict in a team?"
- "Which strategies for prioritising help you under pressure?"
3. Running the interview
Explain the format in advance to put the candidate at ease. Follow your guide while staying flexible.
4. Documentation and analysis
Write down the key insights straight after the interview. Comparing several semi-structured interviews reveals which candidates best match the organisation's needs.
The benefits
- Flexibility and adaptation — follow a structure while exploring specific topics
- Qualitative insight — gain a nuanced understanding of the candidate
- Fairness and comparability — ask the same core questions of everyone
- Better assessment — observe reasoning and spontaneous answers
