The Art of Conducting A Consulting Project Interview – Includes Active Listening

By Michael VanBruaene, Big4.com Guest Blogger

When conducted correctly a consulting project interview will result in more than just useful information directly linked to a question or a form to be completed.  Properly conducted interviews will go a long way in building client confidence that you are competent; and that you will deliver what is required from the objectives of the consulting project.  And you will have enhanced your relationship with the client. This can be essential for a successful project particularly those that will result in providing the client with contentious, controversial or negative information and/or that will require substantial changes in its operations.

Here are some useful tips.  You may have others that you follow.

• Be Actively Interested
• Confidentiality
• Your Interviewee Will Talk With Other Employees
• Prepare In Advance
• Review With a Colleague
• Research The Interviewee
• Visualize The Interview
• Make the interviewee comfortable
• Interviewee Questions
• Progress From the General and Non-Controversial to Specific and More Controversial Questions
• Actively Listen
• Use Two Interviewers
• Type Your  Notes In Most Instances
• Anything Else?

For details go to http://www.advancingyourorganization.com/?p=1261

Michael VanBruaene was a KPMG Director and blogs at  Michael VanBruaene Organization Performance Improvement Services – Advancing Your Organization (www.AdvancingYourOrganization.com). He can also be contacted at mvanbruaene@pacbell.net.