Sometimes there is just one interviewer, but, more often, there are two or three. With senior jobs, there is normally a panel of interviewers, usually five to eight or more. Interviews do not always indicate whether a person will be successful in the job, as they do not test the skills and qualities that would be required for that particular post. There are other defects in the interview system. Some candidates are much more successful in the interview than they would be in the job.
Interviewers sometimes let their personal prejudices influence their choice of candidate.
Other methods of selection Many firms, therefore, use other methods of selection in addition to the interview. With some jobs, they test the candidates' skills. For example, they might ask designers to bring samples of their work. With other jobs, they use personality tests, which are based on questions written by a psychologist. Tests of this kind might be used in jobs that involve a great deal of contact with the public, for example a job as a hotel receptionist.