Interviews are great ways to meet new people who can help the company grow. However, the interviewing process for a job opening can be simple and fun or laborious and intense. The main objective is to evaluate a series of candidates to find the one most suited for the current job opening.
If you plan to interview an applicant, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
| 1. | Narrow your selection to a manageable number of applicants that look promising for an interview. The more you pick, the more time it will take. For most jobs, you should try to interview three to six candidates. |
| 2. | Prepare the interviews ahead of time and decide where you want to hold it. If it will be at the office, schedule a time slot when you will be less busy and less prone to office interruptions or distractions. |
| 3. | Be sure to allot plenty of time for the meeting. It can take anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours or more. You don’t want to rush. |
| 4. | Unplug the phone or do whatever you have to in order to minimize the interruptions during the interview. |
| 5. | Respect the applicant’s schedule. Offer a selection of times so that the person can choose one that fits best with other commitments. You don’t want to spend time with someone who is hurried or harried due to job or family pressures. |
| 6. | Choose an interview format. Employment interviews may be highly structured, completely unstructured, or somewhere in between. Whatever form the interview takes, it involves the interaction between you and the applicant to determine whether you are suited to one another. |
| 7. | Arrange a list of questions and considerations. Set a priority range of skills and strengths to watch for during an interview. You don’t need to memorize questions; simply have an outline of questions, on which you can take notes. |
| 8. | Prepare company data that may be of interest to the applicant, along with facts about the position, schedule, and any special requirements for the future, such as travel or working holidays. |
9. Be on time or even a bit early. Don’t keep the applicant waiting. Give yourself a few extra minutes to calm down and get focused. Review the person’s credentials. Note areas that you have questions about. Try to appear calm, helpful, and friendly. Make eye contact with the applicant to show that you are listening.
10. Greet the applicant in a personable way. Introduce yourself by name and title. Offer a beverage, and show the person to the interview office. Explain the interview process and stay on track as you move through each section of questions, comments, and observations.
11. Study the applicant’s body language. Check general appearance for appropriate style of dress, hygiene, and grooming.
12. Take notes about the applicant’s answers to your questions.
13. Check contact information to be sure you can easily reach the applicant.
14. Thank the person for coming in for an interview. Show him or her to the foyer and mention when you might have a hiring decision.
15. Discuss your findings with another employee at the company. Compare interview results from all applicants to find the best fit for the current opening.
16. Keep resumes on file for six months if you think the person might be interested in and suitable for a different future job opening.
Following these steps can make the interviewing process simpler and much structured; it also reflects the company’s professionalism and paves the way to finding employees that can be of great benefit to the company.
