When trying to ascertain interview details from a candidate, which tactic is most effective?

The most effective tactic for ascertaining interview details from a candidate involves inquiring about the company's hiring process. This approach encourages an open dialogue where the candidate can share their experiences and insights regarding the interview without feeling pressured to provide extensive detail about their performance or specific questions asked. By focusing on the hiring process, you can gain valuable context about the company’s expectations, culture, and how it may align with the candidate's skills and career goals.

Engaging with the candidate on their understanding of the hiring process can also lead to a more comfortable conversation, allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings about the interview experience. It encourages candidates to speak on broader aspects rather than just what happened in a specific interview setting, making it a more effective and insightful way to gather information.

In contrast to the other options, simply asking for a detailed account of the interview may put the candidate on the spot, leading to discomfort. Guessing names of interviewers can create confusion and seems unprofessional or uninformed, while requesting a list of all companies they’ve applied to could overwhelm them and steer the conversation away from the focus of the interview experience itself.