Skills of an effective interviewer

The goal of interviewers is to assess whether a candidate is a suitable fit for the position, applying the agreed selection criteria. This process is facilitated when candidates can give the best account of themselves at interview. Interviewers also act as ambassadors for chambers and candidates’ experience of their interview (whether positive or negative) will have an impact on their view of chambers as a whole and any subsequent decision making (such as whether to accept an offer or reapply in a following recruitment round). An interviewer should therefore aim to foster a positive candidate experience. The Bar Council highlights the importance of the following factors to be an effective interviewer:[1]