Probe for a Negative Example (Interviewing Tip)

Probing Strategies

Another follow-up strategy is to seek contrary evidence. This is a fairly advanced technique for gaining representative skill information. When using the skill, ask for a negative example after you hear a positive answer. And vice versa ask for a positive example after you hear a negative answer. Seeking contrary evidence is simply about looking for representative information on skills ...successes and failures, positives and negatives, achievements and disappointments. Look for a well-rounded picture of the candidate's skills.

Learning Path & Details

Suggested Industry Usage

Competencies

  • Interviewing for Capability and Cultural Fit

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Get the Whole Picture™: Asking Probing Questions in a Behavioral-Based Interview

Get the Whole Picture™: Asking Probing Questions in a Behavioral-Based Interview

This course was created for people who are already familiar with basic behavior-based interviewing. It is an advanced workshop-format designed to significantly improve probing skills. Developed in collaboration with Dr. Paul Green, a leading industrial psychologist and behavioral-based interviewing expert, this course enables participants to identify their personal probing style and then practice five effective probing strategies.

Training Files (1)

TitleTypeTime/PagesLanguage
Probe for a Negative Example
Video without narrator
Video Vignette01:07 min EnglishDemo

Additional Information

Consider a response and probes like:

  • "Yes, that is a legal question . the athletic director must be able to support our organizational values."
  • "Tell me about the values you emphasized in the last fitness program you developed?"
  • "When have you benefited by keeping balance in your life?"
  • "Give me an example of a time when you had to learn how to be an advocate of a new idea?

Remember to seek contrary information when the answer is negative!


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