Small Business Glossary and Definitions

In an observational interview, a candidate for a position is evaluated while being observed performing the tasks of the position. The observations made are used to determine whether or not the candidate is a good and qualified fit for the company. Observation interviews can be direct, where the person knows that they are being observed, or unobtrusive, where it’s not obvious that he or she is being observed. Observational interviews can give insight into the amount of time it takes to complete a task, the method a candidate takes to solve a task, body language of a candidate during a spoken interview, and more.