Being a confident and professional interviewer can help you hire the top candidates for your company. But how do you become one? Fortunately, it is not rocket science to conduct an effective interview.
Job interviews are all about shortlisting the right talent for your company through a structured method. This blog post is a comprehensive guide to help you conduct a fair interview process. Scroll down to learn.
1. Prepare Questions For The Interview
It is crucial to do your homework before conducting an interview. Determine the skill and work requirements of the position you are hiring for and construct relevant questions. Also, consider reviewing the resume or cover letter of the applicants and prepare some personalized questions to leave an impression.
Prior preparation boosts your confidence as a hiring manager and allows you to ask more targeted questions. But don’t be too straightforward; consider asking a blend of situational, behavioral, and fun questions.
2. Make The Applicants Feel Comfortable
Candidates are hesitant or stressed during a job interview due to many reasons. For example, what will be the questions asked? Will I be able to answer them? Am I following the correct dress code? Etc. Eventually, when a person is stressed, he may not answer your questions to his full potential.
Therefore, take preemptive steps to make the applicants feel at ease. In your invitation to the interview, mention the following details:
- The topics you will discuss,
- the format and length of the interview,
- and the dress code of your company.
In addition, create a friendly atmosphere during the interview to have a productive conversation.
3. Talk Less And Listen More
Interviews are all about the interviewees, so listen and observe them closely. Instead of wasting time selling the position, let the candidate explain why he deserves it. Pay attention to the dressing, posture, behavior, alertness, and grooming sense of the candidate.
Ask questions about your company to see if they have done their homework. Also, allow candidates to ask you questions to assess their productivity.
4. Ask Role-Specific Questions
Once you have introduced yourself to the candidate and taken his introduction, ask for his career goals. This will help you understand their plans and scope. Next, jump to role-specific questions. It is recommended to prepare a list of questions related to the position before the interview.
Asking the same questions from all applicants can help you analyze and score all candidates. For example, you can grade them on their confidence, attention to detail, and approach to answering role-specific questions.
5. Don’t Forget To Take Notes After Each Interview
If you are conducting multiple interviews, it can be hard to remember all the details. As a result, it is critical to take notes after each interview to make more informed and accurate hiring decisions. For example, you can note down the body language, confidence level, and any impressive details about each candidate to remember later.
But don’t make yourself too busy taking notes and ignoring the interview process. Make proper eye contact with the applicant and engage in the conversation while taking only small breaks to take notes.
The Bottom Line
Close every interview by explaining the next steps to the candidates. For example, tell them when they can expect a follow-up call or what your company’s criteria are for shortlisting candidates.
Following a structured process and asking relevant questions can help you hire the best talent. We hope our blog was useful in determining a fair and effective interview process.
