Conducting Job Interviews are a very critical aspect of
hiring and the entire recruitment process. It’s very challenging for the
employers to follow the best interview techniques while being on the process. Mistakes
during interviews might have a serious impact on your organisation. Hiring is
very important as it helps employee and employer both learn about each other
and figure out whether in the long run the relationship will be productive or
not. Clark says, it doesn't leave time or space for the best practices of
hiring that are proven to be conducive to finding employees who either become
great for their company or stay with the company for the desired amount of
time. Let us discuss some best practices that will help you conducting good
interviews and will help tilt the odds in favour of filling up your open
position with a reasonably good candidate that will have longer association
with you.
1.
Preparation: Always review the
candidates resume before starting the interview and be sure that you fully
understand the key requirements of the position that you are hiring for. No
matter how good you are with your communication skills, job interview is not a
place for a spontaneous position. Always remember, the job candidate is evaluating
you and your company similarly you are evaluation him or her. The candidate
sitting across from you might be the perfect person for the job but if he is
turned off by your interview process you will lose a good candidate. A well
prepared interview takes time but is one of the best predictors of job
performance.
2.
Setting the candidate at
ease:
Interview word itself causes stress. Candidate’s nervousness should not be
taken as an advantage over him or her. Offering a glass of water and making the
candidate at ease will help him open up about himself else he will not be able
to give you detailed information due to nervousness. As you get started give
him a brief introduction about yourself and your company which will help him
connect to you in a better manner. Setting the scene is also a very good way to
start building rapport with your potential employee. Giving an indication of
the proposed length of the interview gives them clarity about the interview
process and helps them build trust with the employer.
3.
Ask Open ended Questions: Asking questions that only
invite a Yes or No as an answer will not help you understand the candidate better.
Open ended questions that invite people to answer openly about their background,
job requirement, as experience will help you evaluate the candidate in a better
manner. While listening to their answers you can get into deep and understand
what makes the candidate different from others. A few candidates are very pro
in appearing for interviews, our goal as an interviewer is to help them come
out of their pre packaged answers and give more access to information.
4.
Make Notes-Taking notes while
interviewing a candidate is not a bad idea as well. You should politely explain
the candidate that you will be taking the notes while he will be answering your
questions. Try to keep the notes to a minimum with whatever is required later
on to discuss about the candidate.
5.
Non Verbal Behaviour is very
important-Non verbal conversation can help you understand a candidate
in a better manner. While interviewing keep an eye on his facial expressions,
eye contact, tone etc.
6.
End it on a Positive Note-A friendly approach is
really very important for making an interview a good experience for everyone.
One should always thank the candidate for giving time for the interview and one
should allowed to ask any questions or concerns he/she has.
Thus, if a few points are taken into consideration it will be
a good experience for everyone involved. It doesn’t take an extra penny to be
courteous and polite to everyone.