What is a disadvantage of an unstructured interview?

An unstructured interview is characterized by a flexible format where interviewers have the freedom to ask open-ended questions or explore topics that arise during the conversation without following a strict set of questions. One of the key disadvantages of this approach is that it can lead to a waste of time and effort. Since there is no predefined structure, interviews can become unfocused and meander into irrelevant topics, making it difficult to assess candidates efficiently or to compare them on a uniform basis.

Additionally, without a structured framework, there is a higher risk of the interview becoming subjective, leading to inconsistencies in how different candidates are evaluated. This lack of focus can prolong the interview process, involve unnecessary back-and-forth discussions, and ultimately complicate the decision-making process for hiring managers. Over time, such inefficiencies can lead to delays in filling positions or lead to potential biases in hiring decisions.