> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.micro1.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Skills vs Custom Questions
> What are the main differences and when to use each one of them.
### Skills
In Zara, **skills** are the foundation for tailoring interviews to match the competencies you want to evaluate. When creating an interview, you can add one or more skills—such as **Communication**, **Problem Solving**, or **Technical Expertise** — to guide the system in generating relevant questions and scenarios.
Each skill can be accompanied by **custom instructions** that provide context and define the desired level of complexity. For example, you might specify that a Communication skill should focus on client-facing interactions or that a Technical skill should be assessed at an advanced level. These instructions help Zara adapt the tone, depth, and structure of the interview accordingly.
Skill assessments are conducted through a **conversation module** that typically lasts around **5 minutes**. During this time, Zara engages the candidate in a dynamic dialogue designed to surface insights aligned with your defined expectations — whether the skill should be evaluated in a **technical**, **strategic**, or **light-touch** manner.
Zara will score each skill using the following levels:
* **Not Experienced**
* **Junior**
* **Experienced**
* **Senior**
Want to fine-tune your skill definitions for better candidate insights? Explore our [Interview Best Practices](/kb/interviews/best-practices) guide.
Due to the **conversational nature** of skill-based interviews in Zara, there is **no guarantee** that different candidates will receive the exact same questions — even when taking the same interview. Instead of relying on a fixed script, Zara dynamically engages each candidate in a tailored dialogue designed to uncover how deeply they understand the subject.
The system adapts in real time, asking follow-up questions or shifting focus based on the candidate's responses. This approach ensures a more **authentic and insightful evaluation**, revealing not just what a candidate knows, but how they think, communicate, and apply their expertise.
### Custom Questions
**Custom Questions** are direct, scripted prompts delivered exactly as you've written them — without transitions, elaboration, or conversational flow.
Zara reads each question verbatim, and the candidate has **one opportunity** to respond.
Once an answer is received, Zara immediately proceeds to the next question or interview segment.
This format is ideal when consistency is critical, such as:
* **Integrity checks**
* **Screening validations**
* **Standardized questions across all candidates**
Candidate responses are evaluated using a simple scoring rubric:
* **Not Impressive**
* **Average**
* **Good**
Use Custom Questions when you need precise control over phrasing and uniformity across interviews.