Nesley Bravo

11/11/13
Evaluation of an Early Interview
After carrying out my first practice interview as a social worker, I will evaluate my
performance with the use of my transcript, video, peers feedback and my own observations. I
will be reflecting on my cultural sensitivity and competence, nonverbal and verbal
communication, and active listening skills. As well, I have identified areas of improvement and
have developed a plan to improve them.
Based off the Talking and Listening Skills Rating Form, my interviewee rated me a 5/5
on my respectfulness and sensitivity towards cultural differences between us. My interviewee
commented, I felt like you genuinely wanted to know more about my cultural background and
values. I did address her culture through asking questions such as, how do you think your
familys background, culturally and financially have played a role in influencing you to become
a social worker? and What other values do you plan on bringing in from your own background
to the field? I felt it was essential to address her culture and that I did address the potential
impact it could have on her personally. Instead of presuming culture plays a part in her life, I ask
her how and not only addressed culture, but other potential factors such as finances. As
Cournoyer (2014) recognizes with cultural sensitive communications, when we engage
diversity and difference, we must recognize that each person has culturally based views about all
sorts of things (p. 187). So far, I am happy with my comfort level in addressing ones culture.
Cournoyer (2013) defined nonverbal communication and body language as including,
posture, facial expression, eye contact, gait and body positioning (p.197). I felt that I gave my
interviewee eye contact throughout the interview, unless I was looking at my list of questions. I
was very conscious of my facial reactions to questions by making sure my responses were
encouraging and nonjudgmental such as smiling and nodding at her. Also, when the interviewee
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Nesley Bravo
11/11/13
Evaluation of an Early Interview
asked me to repeat the question, I wanted to show her it was alright to ask for clarity by
responding to her with a smile. I was aware that my posture was upright to show that I was
interested and energized. On the other hand, I was unaware of the angle of my body to the
interviewee. I observed after watching my interview that my tone of voice sounded serene. The
interviewee described my tone as very calm and collected.
In terms of verbal communication, the interviewee described my speech modulation and
tone of voice as a nice loud, clear voice. I used encouraging statements throughout the
interview such as, awesome! and supporting her by saying Thatll be an essential skill as a
social worker. Cournoyer (2013) suggested, When needed to strengthen a position, include one
or more illustrative examples (p. 203). I provided the interviewee an example when she was
unclear of what the question was asking. I was hoping providing an example from my own
personal life about what eye contact meant in other cultures would demonstrate some
vulnerability on my part.
Traditionally, it is a habit of mine to take notes while someone is talking to make sure I
remember what they say, but I took a risk with my active listening and tried to remember what
the client said without notes. I felt that I was able to remember the interviewees responses just
fine, but because I couldnt remember the questions I asked, I felt some questions were familiar.
The interviewee commented that she felt understood and that I was attentively listening primarily
because of my please elaborate statements. I summarized and reflected my interviewees
message with statements such as So what I hear you saying is That was one of the lead-in
phrases Cournoyer noted. I made sure to not repeatedly use the same one as he suggested
(Cournoyer, 2013, p. 213).
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Nesley Bravo
11/11/13
Evaluation of an Early Interview
Three points of improvement I want to focus on are asking clarifying questions, not
asking add on/steering questions and not avoiding follow-up on heavier topics. After the
interview I noticed when I asked about the location of her CSL, I thought she was talking about
two different locations when it was one so it may have come off that I was asking her the same
question twice. I also found that I would add on narrower questions to my main question to help
with the clarity of the question, but I realized that it may have steered her answers in a certain
direction instead. For example, I started off with the primary question, Is that something youve
always known you wanted to do, to be a social worker or did it just arise as you were working in
your moms daycare? then I added on, Or did it all just come together later on? In general, a
habit of mine is to avoid heavier topics, such as when the interviewee was talking about growing
up in poverty. I did not reflect her statements and instead focused my follow-up questions on
other parts of her answer. I feel this may come off as if I do not genuinely care about the
interviewee or that I dont want to get to know her personally.
To improve upon my skills, I plan on bringing the awareness of those three focus points
to my other conversations. I feel like focusing on those three points not only will help me as a
social worker, but generally improve my conversation skills with others. I also hope to keep
practicing my skills and improving them through applying them to all my conversations. I have
already found myself using them when conversing with my sister and friends. In terms of culture
awareness, I have especially realized through Social Welfare 402 that I need to introduce myself
to a variety of backgrounds and I plan on expanding my knowledge through readings, and
attending cultural events. For our next practice interview with a client, I plan on focusing on
those three areas and anticipate they wont be problem areas in the future.