There are three levels of response to questions asked in an interview. The three levels are the attribute level, the general process level, and the behavioral level.
- Attribute Level
The first level of interview question responses is the attribute level. Attribute-level responses contain generalizations that describe skills and personal qualities. There are no specifics in these responses, which makes it difficult to prove or disprove the statements.Since it is the easiest level to attain, most interviews are composed of questions and answers at the attribute level. In order to gather more accurate information, the interviewer must proceed to the next level of questioning—the general process level.
- General Process Level
The second level of interview questioning is the general process level. These questions and responses encourage the candidate to give specific instances to back up the generalization. The specific examples will help the interviewer to make a more accurate evaluation. General process responses contain testimonials that detail processes or end results. These often include step-by-step descriptions.General process responses give the interviewer a glimpse of the approach the candidate takes when using a skill.
- Behavioral Level
The third level of interview questioning is the behavioral level. This level is characterized by reference to a single event that is explained in detail. Behavioral level responses should form a foundation for your hiring decisions.
Making good hiring decisions is the key to the success of an organization. By understanding the different levels of questioning, the interviewer can collect valuable information regarding each candidate and be able to pick the best candidate for the job.