Secrets to Getting the Most Out of Candidate Interviews

In an interview, you only have a certain amount of time to get to know each and every face that walks through the door. You can only do so much with resumes, cover letters, and basic interview questions. It’s the overall interaction with the candidate that you’ll be able to gain information about who they actually are.

For this reason, it’s important to make the most of every interaction with the candidate, so you can make a well-informed decision.

Know What You’re Looking For

You should be able to articulate what is wanted/needed for the position before the interview. Make sure you run goals and expectations for this position by others in your department ahead of time, so you are all on the same page.

Do Your Homework

Take some time prior to the interview to research the candidate. Look up their public profiles online and do a Google search. Don’t just look for dirt on them; look for interesting and relevant information. You should also prepare questions based on what’s on their resume ahead of time. If you do your homework, you won’t have to think on your feet too much during the interview.

Don’t Focus Solely on Skills

Organizational fit is easy to overlook during the interview, but when an employee is hired an workplace they won’t thrive in, then it can be a costly mistake. You have to recognize your company’s culture and determine whether or not the candidate would fit in it. You can even ask the candidate to describe their ideal workplace in which they thrive in.

Review the Job Description

The candidate may be an impressive choice to you, but if they are under or overqualified for the job, they won’t last long in the position. After the interview, take your notes about the candidate and review them with the job description on hand. Assess each criterion against your notes about the candidate to see if they can do the job.

Give Yourself a Break

An interview is supposed to be a conversation, so give the candidate a chance to speak and ask questions. You can learn a lot by what they want to know about you and your company.

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