Some of the basic characteristics needed by employment interviewers are as follows:-

Job Knowledge

The interviewer needs a thorough knowledge of the jobs for which he is interviewing. This principle should however not be carried too far. Executives who have worked on different kinds of jobs may have a broader view point than the executive who have worked on a single track in regard to the variety of people who can be successful in a specific job. This problem can be solved by joint discussion between two types of interviewers mentioned above.

Objectivity

The warm hearted, kind and soft person may be preferred as friend and colleague but may not prove to be a good interviewer. He may on one hand establish god rapport with the interviewee. Whereas, on the other hand may excuse defect too readily and overrate candidate similar to his traits. What is therefore required is cold blooded objectivity for am interviewer. Such person can think critically and prove to be more successful interviewer.

Professional Experience

Those who have professional experience with people of varying backgrounds and personal characteristics are more likely to be good

interviewers, for it is evidently easier to judge people when one has knowledge of this kind.

Intelligence

In interviewing for positions which require intelligence of a high level, mental ability of the same degree in the interviewer is essential. An interviewer not so endowed with good education or intelligence may turn bitter against well educated or highly intelligent candidates. It is also possible that candidates of high intelligence may be able to over-impress the interviewer of lower mentality.

Good Listener

Over talkative persons are wasteful as interviewers as they eat up time that should be used in drawing information from applicant.

Balanced Judgment Poise and Maturity

Persons who are biased on many matters; or given to extreme opinions, are unlikely to have either objectivity or humility, both fundamental to success in interviewing field. Such persons are likely to select those ho hold similar views as they do. Such persons also rationalize their opinions and prejudices, but in reality they hold personal and emotional basis for their judgment. Such persons are often rigid in their approach. Their inflexibility can lead to final judgment based on impressions and expectations formed after the first few minutes if the interview or even before it begins. The interviewer therefore should be matured with emotional stability and poised manners so that his judgment is acceptable to both; the organisation and the applicant.

Communicating Ability

Without good spoken communication, the oral interview cannot be thought of. Mastery of language in terms of comprehension and expression is essential characteristics of a good interviewer. His language shapes the course of interview. Interviewer must avoid ‘feeding the answers’ to the applicant, indicating the reply that interviewer would like to hear. Interviewer must also avoid during the interview any indication of approval or disapproval of what applicant says.