Being a good interviewer is a crucial skill for any hiring manager or HR
professional. Not only does it assist you in finding the best candidates for
the job, but it also helps to give a positive candidate experience, even if
they do not get the job. Furthermore, it creates a positive company image and
improves the overall hiring process. Here are our top 10 tips for being a good
interviewer:
1. Do your research: Before the interview, make sure to thoroughly review the candidate's
resume and any other materials they have provided, including their cover
letter. This will give you a better understanding of their background and
experience and help you come up with more targeted questions. Check if they have asked for any adjustments, ie environment, access etc. (We are writing another blog on Reasonable adjustments soon!)
2. Prepare a list of questions: While it's essential to be flexible and allow the
conversation to flow naturally, having a list of prepared questions can help
ensure that you cover all necessary topics and don't miss any important
information. This can also help with reasonable adjustment requests and keep
the interview consistent. Set out an agenda of what will happen during the
interview, including the duration and topics to be covered.
3. Create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere: The interview should be a conversation, not an interrogation. Make sure to create a welcoming and comfortable
atmosphere so the candidate feels at ease and is more likely to provide honest
and thorough answers. If possible, find a quiet, private space. Be aware of the
environment and any potential distractions. Coffee shops for an interview are not the best place to get the best answers. I personally get so distracted in noisy environments and hearing things clearly can be tricky.
4. Listen actively: It's essential to not only hear what the candidate is saying but also
pay attention to their body language and non-verbal cues. This can provide
valuable insight into their personality and fit for the role.
5. Avoid leading questions: While it's natural to want to guide the conversation, try to avoid leading questions that give away the answer or encourage the candidate to say
what you want to hear. Instead, ask open-ended questions that allow the
candidate to fully express themselves. Avoid asking multiple questions at once
to avoid an interrogation-like feeling.
6. Avoid making assumptions: It's easy to jump to conclusions based on a candidate's resume or other materials, but it's important to keep an open mind and not make
assumptions during the interview. Instead, ask questions to better understand
their background and experience. Aswell be careful of the unconcious bias creeping in, ie if they went to a particular school, play a sport or dont play any sports. Focus on the person and the JD.
7. Take notes: It can be helpful to take notes during the interview to help you remember key points and compare candidates later on. Be discreet and not distract the
candidate with your note-taking. If there isn't a formal structure to the
interviews, consider using a basic 1-5 scale to rate the candidate. This way you have more consistency with your candidates.
8. Allow for silence: It's natural to want to fill silences during the interview, but sometimes it's best to allow a moment of silence for the candidate to think and respond.
This can help encourage them to provide more in-depth and thoughtful answers.
9. Be authentic: Be yourself and let the candidate get a sense of your personality and the
company culture. This can help them better understand if the role and company
are a good fit for them.
10. Follow up: After the interview, make sure to follow up with the candidate to let them know the next steps in the process and provide any necessary feedback. This helps to
create a positive candidate experience and keep the lines of communication
open.
By following these tips, you can become a more effective interviewer and improve
your chances of finding the best candidates for the job. At HB People, we offer
training and insight to help companies streamline their hiring processes and
provide great interviews and experiences for candidates. Contact us to learn
more about how we can help you find top talent for your organisation. Our contact number is 01704 336271 or email amanda@hbpeople.co.uk