List and explain the five primary relational dimensions of the interview process.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The five relational dimensions of interviewing are: similarity, inclusion/involvement, affection, control, and trust. (1) Similarity refers to shared beliefs, expectations, personality traits and experiences. People tend to relate to others better when they perceive similarities between them. (2) There must be some level of involvement of both parties in the interview, where both parties take an active role in communicating and sharing information. (3) Affection refers to the level of liking, warmth, and openness. Interviewees feel more comfortable when they perceive the interviewer to be friendly and warm. The interviewer may also see friendly and open interviewee’s as a better fit for a company. (4) Control involves the degree to which interviewers and interviewees direct the course of the interview. A directive approach occurs when the interviewer controls most of the interview, while a nondirective approach occurs when the interviewee has some control over the interview process. (5) Trust is an important part of the interview. Both parties must enter the interview with a small level of trust, with some sense of what each can expect from the interview and from one another.