Finding the Needle in a Candidate Haystack
Finding the Needle in a Candidate Haystack: How to Conduct Effective Interviews
You won’t find your ideal candidate for the job with a few interview questions alone. More people are applying for the same job than ever before. Jobs that people really want are few and far between, so you’ll need to filter out the people who want a job in order to find the people who are right for the job.
There are different types of interviews that can help you narrow down your decision. Here are a few tips for conducting the perfect interview and finding the perfect candidate.
Know the Job
Before you start conducting interviews, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the job description. You’ll need to keep in mind the qualities that you’re looking for as you ask your interview questions. If you feel the job description is outdated, feel free to add to it and take your points into the interviews with you.
Does the Candidate Have Experience?
Experience will be a lot more valuable than qualifications. Although qualifications can prove the candidate knows what to do in theory, experience shows the candidate is able to do the job in practice. Staffing companies know that experienced candidates are worth their weight in gold which is why apprentices are hired quickly.
Structure Your Interview
It’s a good idea to have a structure for your interview process. You’ll have a limited amount of time with each candidate and you’ll want to find out as much as you can. How will you begin each interview? How long will it take to cover key areas of the job? How will you end your interview? You’ll need to plan your interview, just as your candidates will need to plan theirs.
Prepare Your Questions
Your questions are the key to knowing how to conduct an interview and hire the right person for the job. You’ll need to base your questions on the job criteria, the person’s past experience and what they can bring to the job. The questions you ask should be able to tell you enough about each candidate to make a clear decision.
Set Up an Interview Space
The space you use for your interviews should be private and comfortable. Although you’re seeking information from each candidate, you also want them to feel at ease so they’re able to show themselves in a true light. Make sure others in your office know you’re not to be interrupted and turn your phone off for each interview. Even slight interruptions can be off-putting to you and your interviewees.
Confidently Conduct Different Types of Interviews
Being interviewed as a candidate is up there with one of the most nerve-wracking experiences for anyone. However, it isn’t exactly a walk in the park for an interviewer either.
Knowing the different types of interviews and techniques to use can help you to confidently hire the right person. Take a look at some other tips for hiring a great workforce.
