Part three of three in a series about recruiting
You’ve had a flurry of applicants for your job, you’ve chosen the most suitable candidates and now it’s interview time.
Please remember to contact all those applicants who didn’t make it to interview stage to let them know they have not been chosen.
You Must Be Prepared
It’s not just the candidate that needs to be prepared for an interview – you need to be as well.
It’s best practice, if possible, to have another senior colleague with you for the interview. A day or so beforehand meet to decide what general structure the interviews will have.
Conducting the Interview
Interviews can make people very nervous so do your best to put your candidates at ease by being friendly and smiling. Use a conversational style rather than an interrogating style when speaking.
Start by exploring the applicant’s career history, in particular their most recent roles and responsibilities.
Find out why they want to leave their present job, or why they are currently unemployed.
Ask how they feel their skills, qualifications and experience apply to the role they’ve applied for.
Learn why they want the job you’ve advertised
Ask ‘open’ questions where the candidate has to talk at some length, not
‘closed’ questions that elicit a straight ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response. For instance, don’t ask: “Are you a team worker?” Instead, say: “Tell us why you’d describe yourself as a team worker.”
Do take lots of notes and remember to write down exactly what the candidate is saying. They should be doing 80 per cent of the talking.
Once the Interview is Over
Thank the candidate for attending and let them know when they will hear if they have been successful or if they will be called back for a second interview.
Do background checks and take up references before offering your chosen applicant the job.
And finally, if you want to make sure you find the right person for the job our short course Recruiting Staff and Integrating them into the Work Place including one tutor marked assignment – is available for only £60.
