The Problem-Solving Interview

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Of course, not every appraisal interview is positive. Sometimes a problem-solving interview is needed to deal with problems, tensions, or conflicts. If you’ve ever seen an episode of A&E’s Intervention or Hoarders, you’ve seen this type of interview in action. Typically, friends and family contact a counselor to help them deal with a loved one’s addictive behavior, whether it’s drug abuse, video game addiction, or an inability to discard personal items. The counselor works with the family, asking questions, gathering information, and formulating a plan or solution before the official intervention, when the counselor, friends, and family all confront the loved one.

Problem-solving interviews can also occur in the workplace or even in medical situations. For example, your primary care physician interviews you about problems or concerns in your life that may affect your physical health; you should prepare ahead of time for the interview and ask questions that will help you and the doctor understand your health better (Dwamena, Mavis, Holmes-Rovner, Walsh, & Loyson, 2009). Of course, during the interview, you should always volunteer information to help solve the problem (Coulehan & Block, 2006).