Conducting a job interview can be a tricky process for a business, especially when you want to expand. Hiring the right people is a must for your business’s success.

Remember that your candidates are assessing your office’s professional environment as much as you’re deciding whether hiring them is an option or not. Potential candidates, therefore, will also determine whether working for you is the best option for them or not during an interview. In this article, we will provide you with a few practical tips regarding conducting a job interview so that your interview processes run as smoothly as they possibly can!

PREPARATION

If you think getting a date in the diary for the interview and a piece of paper with 2 or 3 questions will get you through the hiring process, you’re wrong. Organise yourself before getting started. You should have a list of key questions for your candidates, which you can also expand more during the interview process. What does your ideal candidate look like? Not just in terms of qualifications but also as a fit for your business and the existing team. Moreover, make sure you have all the CV’s and cover letters with you to refer back to.

INTERVIEW LOCATION

It is imperative to have a professional environment when conducting interviews. Make sure you carry it out in a quiet place that is free of distractions. This will also help you in the decision making process as your head will be clear, and you’ll be more focused.

OVERVIEW

When conducting interviews, most candidates do not know exactly what the business expects from them. So, ensure that you provide the candidates with an overview of your business, the team, their role in the company, and what an ideal candidate looks like to you. The candidates will then become clear about the interview process and what will be expected from them should they be successful in getting the role.

DESIGNING QUESTIONS

You need to think carefully about the questions you ask. Asking questions that will give you one-word answers will not get you anywhere. Even hiring your ideal candidates out of such interviews may not get you the best candidates. The key is to ask open-ended questions. It will make candidates talk more about themselves and enable you to explore their personality in more detail. At the same time, you will understand their thought process and know where they stand in terms of their capability. Also remember that interviews are not just about you asking the candidates questions. Allow the candidates to pose their own questions to you too. At the same time, make sure you fully address all the queries they have, either during the interview or at a specified later date if it needs exploring further.

FOLLOW UP

Candidates perceive your business as professional if you inform them about the upcoming steps (for instance, a second interview) as well as when you will be making hiring decisions. Therefore, make sure that you have assigned proper dates for decisions to be made. If you continue to lag and keep your candidates uninformed, they become less interested in joining you and an ideal candidate may slip through your fingers.

CONCLUSION

Prepare yourself! Book a quiet room away from distractions for the interview. Prepare open-ended questions that bring out your candidates personality as well as discusses their skills for the role. Then, make sure you act timely! Your ideal candidate may be someone else’s too and if you delay too long they may find an opportunity elsewhere.